A few years back I landed a job with Cisco systems. I was delighted, of course, but it was a two-hour daily commute. I had a young family and also wanted to keep up my gym sessions as well as have quality family time.
I had the same 24 hours as everybody else, so the only option left to me was to get up earlier. Instead of getting up at 7 am I started getting up at 5 am. I went for a run and then got into work 90 minutes early every day.
There were two advantaged to this. Firstly, the traffic was very light, so I was saving 30 minutes per day driving time. That added up to an extra 145 hours per year or just over six whole days.
But it got better. I thought I’d be tired all the time, but I discovered that I felt just fine. I was tired when the alarm clock went off and could easily have rolled over and gotten up at 7 am but for some reason when I did that I felt tired come afternoon time.
So my routine was get up at 5 am, run, get to work early and study for 90 minutes. By the time everyone else rolled into work, my study session had been done. If I could fit some extra study time in during lunch or after work, it was a bonus.
Bear in mind that (as I’ve said), I had a family, and I had to drive into work. I bring it up because all the time I hear people throw that out as if it makes them a special case of some sort.
Give it a try. If you can’t do 5 am then do an hour earlier and see what happens.
Have Fun.
Paul Browning
https://www.howtonetwork.com
http://www.in60days.com
Thats a good trick. Also you don’t have to study or workout once you get back from office. You can spend quality time with the family instead.
I like it if you can’t get up at 5 AM then get up an hour earlier at 4 AM!
Don’t forget those mp3s and audio books!
Nice post! Coincidentally, I just started implementing this today this very morning before reading your post this evening. It’s great and it feels like I now have more time during the day. I’m currently studying for the MCSE, so this should help boost me up on study sessions. Thanks for the great read!
I’ve also found 2 additional hours as follows. I’be changed my commute to by train which gives me 30 mins each way. I get to work half hour early, I’m the early shift so there’s not really anyone there to disturb me but I go into a meeting room to study so I have no distractions. Then I have half hour at home in the evening which is when I do my labs.
Hi Paul,
You are absolutely right. I almost do it because I work a on shift basis. When I work weekdays, I get up at around 6 o’clock and I find that it is good for one’s stamina.
I look forward to hearing more of your routine.
Kind regards,
Jimmy