I have been an early riser for at least the past three decades of my life. To this very day, I still set three alarms each evening to ensure I wake up when I desire. Why is this important?
I believe there are five ways your life can improve by getting up earlier each morning.
1. You gain time in your day.
You may believe this is a “duh” point and should go without saying, but how often do you hear people give the never-ending excuse of “I don’t have time”? When you ask them what time they get up in the morning, they usually do not answer with clarity or simply state a later time in the morning.
Therefore, you gain time in your day when you get up earlier each morning. I do not believe I could do what I am given the privilege to do in life if I did not get up early each morning.
Just imagine what your morning would be like if you were to get up even just one hour earlier than you do right now. You might be able to work some things into your schedule you have often wanted to do like read more, exercise regularly or have some time for yourself.
2. You gain time for yourself.
Did you know that the earlier you get up in the morning, the more time you gain for yourself? Private time is needed in each of our lives. We need space to be alone and time to think and to meditate.
Gaining time for yourself pays many dividends for your life, family, business and ministry. Do not minimize the reality of needing what some call “me time.” I do not like this term, but each of us needs time by ourselves and more time when we are not disturbed or distracted by others.
3. You gain time with God.
Oftentimes, people claim that their personal time with God is inconsistent because of the demands of life. I learned many years ago, when you rise early, most people are still asleep. But I also learned regardless of how early you get up, God is already up and ready to meet with you personally.
Even as Jesus rose before dawn to spend time with the Father, we need private time with the Father. We need our own Gethsemane in our home, apartment or town where we can escape and talk to God about life and let God talk to us through the reading of His Word. When you get up earlier each day, you gain time with God.
4. You gain productivity.
When you rise earlier each day and use this time wisely, you can gain productivity in your life. Everyone wants to be more productive and yield greater results. When you are undisturbed and more focused, you gain the potential to be much more productive in your life.
Again, when I reflect upon this personally, I realize that before most of my staff team enters the doors at our church daily, I have been up five hours already. Most of these days have already been filled with great productivity. Why? My time is focused and free of distractions.
When you rise earlier each day, you increase the potential to be much more productive in your life.
5. You gain the respect of others.
People do not want to follow unfocused, distracted, shoot-from-the-hip, unproductive leaders. Disorder in organizations often follows the disorder of a leader’s life. A disorderly and unproductive team is most often the result of a disorderly and unproductive leader. Therefore, disrespect occurs. Soon, we witness that slothfulness rules, mediocrity is applauded and excellence is eliminated.
Conversely, just think what can happen when you rise earlier each morning, gaining time in each day, including time for yourself, time for God and time for greater productivity to occur! Here is what happens: You gain the respect of others.
Some people will never understand you when you are together and productive, but they will always respect you. People want to follow people they respect. People respect those who bring order into all situations and lead with a calm confidence that all will be well.
I have found this: When you rise earlier each day, your credibility as a leader grows. Rising earlier each morning seems to gain the respect of others.
Try rising earlier this week and see what happens each day in this week, and in your future. I really believe when you try it, you will like it.
Now Is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
This article originally appeared here.
