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Welcome to the Early to Rise Challenge! Throughout the month of March, I’m challenging myself and my readers to make the most of their mornings. So every week day morning at 9 a.m. EST, I’m posting a short Early to Rise post. I’ll share a few of my thoughts on the day’s passage from Early to Rise, tell you what time I got up that morning, and encourage you to leave a comment to tell us what time you got up and how you’re doing on the challenge.
Woohoo! It’s Day 1 of the Early to Rise Challenge and I am so stoked about how many of you are committed to participating in this challenge.
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to stop over here and leave a comment telling us what time you are committing to get up every week day morning in March. Please remember to be realistic. This is not a contest to see who can get up the earliest or who can survive on the least amount of sleep. On the contrary, this is about making the most of your mornings — whether you get up at 4 a.m. or 9 a.m.
Also, you’ll want to grab a copy of Early to Rise by Andy Traub if you haven’t already done so. He’s offering it at the discounted price of just $4.99 through the end of the day today (March 1, 2013). You can read my review of Early to Rise here.
Your Mindset Matters
I love how Andy begins his book with challenging us to stop thinking negative thoughts. That’s the best way to set yourself up for defeat.
If you read about this challenge and started shaking your head saying, “I can’t wake up early” you’ve already gotten yourself headed in the direction of failure. If however, you commit to a realistic time to get up and then you approach it with confidence and a can-do attitude, you’re much more likely to actually follow through.
You can do it, I know you can! So believe it and then follow through with it!
What Time Did You Get Up This Morning?
Me? I got up at 5:31 a.m. to be exact.
What time did you get up? Leave a comment and let us know!
Join in the Chatter!
Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post for today below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the Early to Rise Group Board on my Pinterest page, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.
Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? Each week day morning on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account, I’ll be posting a picture of my alarm clock as public accountability. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #EarlytoRise to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!
So, I’m a bit behind…but today was technically my day one, so I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon 😉 Goal was 6:30, actually woke up at 6:51. Since I am a terribly deep sleeper and it can take my husband hours (literally!) to wake me up some days, I’m going to count that as a giant success. Woke up to my own alarm, and got out of bed before my children. That’s all that really matters today!
Great job!
I’m getting a little bit of a late start with the challenge, but I’m in! Bought the book this morning and read through to the first day. Been struggling physically and spiritually lately and this challenge is exactly what I need in order to make some positive changes. I am choosing to have confidence in my ability to get up early for the next thirty days, and beyond!
Day One I woke up at 6:37 am!
My goal was to wake up at 7AM so that I could read the Bible at home instead of on my morning commute on my Bible app. I didn’t get up right at 7, instead I woke up at 7:10 (still earlier than usual) so I still had time to read! It actually helped to wake me up and I felt great about starting my day with powerful words. I will aim for waking up at 7 on Monday!
What a great challenge! I usually do well getting up early but I’ve been struggling lately. It’s time to get back on track and this challenge may very well be what I need.
wasn’t going to comment but its encouraging to hear everyone’s stories/comments. kudos to you who met your goal and kudos to you who didn’t BUT didn’t give up. im a mom to three littles as well two being 4 yo twins. of course the first day of challenge was a preschool field trip day. my goal is not necessarily a certain time but an hour BEFORE they need to get up.
we got this ladies!
Despite waking up at 2am, which is a regular occasion, I woke up again at 5:30. I accomplished a lotore today than I usually do. I hope I can keep this up if a certain child of mine doesn’t need to use the bathroom at 2am every night and awake crying, not knowing where she is. Poor girl, but this will be short lived and I still hope for wake early.
I had a little guy that did that too. His bedtime was 8:00, but I would get him out of bed around 11:00 (or just before I went to bed) and take him potty. That was enough to get him through til morning. Hope this helps.
My sweet hubby, not knowing my plan to for this month, heard my alarm and turned it off this morning. He said he knew I am tired this week and wanted me to sleep a bit more. What a sweet goal busting darling.
I got up at 5:40, but that is when I have to get up to get my older kids going every morning. My struggle is, we are a large and busy family, and if I go to bed before 11 p.m. things just don’t get done. You can only “let go” of and simplify so much — certain things just have to get done! So it is a struggle to get up at 5:40 because I am tired. And even at that time the mornings are rushed and crazy – 3 kids leave at 6:10 for an early mornig seminary class, one leaves at 6:35 for school, and the other two leave with me at 7:25 for school. I know an earlier morning wake-up would mean for a less stressful start to the day, but logistically I don’t know how to make it work without turning into a grouchy bear. Taking naps on Sunday helps me get through the week but I am still often so tired…..
Not so great today… 7:14am… and didn’t totally wake up till almost 9am… Was very undisciplined about going to bed last night. Yet, I will try again!
In all honesty, I woke up at 6:45 this morning…not 5:30. But it was because I was staying home with a sick kid and we had been up late the night before & I knew we weren’t going anywhere. Come Monday, I’m all in!
I woke up at my goal time! Unfortunately so did my one year old. My goal it to wake up before her so I can really “wake up” and not just grumpily stare at her at the breakfast table.
Okay, so I bought the book and I am ready to go. I got up at 6:40 am this morning… only ten minutes off of my goal. I am going to make this happen. When my alarm goes off in the morning, I often think selfishly that I can get up at 7 and just do my scripture/worship studies at night. I know, however, that I have a much better day when this is done in the morning. So… now I am off to bed to get up at 6:30 tomorrow… alarm is set… wish me luck!
So this is weekdays right? I’m the trackback at the bottom. I got up this morning off and on from 6:30 (when hubby leaves) to 7:30 when I FINALLY pushed back the covers and got up. My daughter got up at her 8. She is so good. Really puts me to shame.
Soooo, getting my blog post done and linked up at 8:30pm is somewhat less in the early-to-rise spirit that I’d hoped for. Oh well; that’s what new days are for…
I got up at 530. I didn’t actually get out if bed until 545 but I always start my morning my checking my texts and FB messages. I still got in a workout and got dinner in the crockpot and my daughters lunch made before I left at 715. I am so excited!!!!
I’m in. Woke up at 7:30 a.m. this very morning. I feel so motivated by this book. Thanks Andy Traub!
Up since midnight with a sick child, so my schedule was a bust today. Will try again when the flu is gone. 🙁
4:32
Out of bed at 5:54 am. Enjoyed a cup of coffee in a quiet house (only the dog and cat were up) while watching the snow fall before leaving for the gym and work. A good start for what was a very crazily busy day at the office.
I WAS UP AT 5:33am this morning. It’s the usual time I get UP during the week so I can be UP before my oldest gets up for school at 6am.
My goal is to wake up by 6:30 AM. Last night, I went to bed a little earlier than I have been, which was good. This morning, I actually woke up super-early, at 4:00 AM — that happens every once in a while — so I just got up and started in on a half-done project. It is so much
easier to get sustained work done in the early hours. By the way, I just checked the Early to Rise plan and was really glad to read that it applies to weekdays only.
I woke up at 0630 and spent the first hour of my day with the Lord!
I set my alarm to 5am, I got out of bed at 5:15. I showered, dried & styled my hair (for the weekend….hehe…I refuse to do it everyday). While I did my hair, I listened to my audio book & I put some sausage patties on a pan on very low & put some homemade freezer biscuits in the oven. By the time I was done with my hair, our breakfast was ready too! I enjoyed breakfast & a great chat with my two oldest before they were off & running to college & work. By then my lil ones woke up ready for breakfast too (YES, I have college kiddos & elementary homeschooled kiddos too…lol!) I then spent the morning with my hubby running errands on his day off. Great day!
I couldn’t fall asleep last night, and so I was an hour late getting up today. Trying again tomorrow! (Since my time isn’t all that early for me – 7am – I plan to stick with it on Saturdays as well.)
the alarm went off at 5:30 and I was up by 5:45;)
11 AM…thoroughly enjoying my week off!
I woke up at 4:45 to my little man who isn’t a great sleeper. Got my daughter off to school with Crazy hair for Dr. Suess birthday and then went for 3 mile walk. It was great. 🙂 now im working on 4 weeks to fill your freezer. but my kids and hubby eats everything just as fast as I get it made 🙁
I didn’t start out on the best foot..I hit snooze and got up at 6:35. My goal is 6:00. Oops! I’ll try harder tomorrow.
Kate
Hey, you tried — that’s something. And 6:35 isn’t anything to sneeze at!
My alarm went off at 5:45 and 6:00. I woke up at 6:00 and thought really hard about getting up and showering, but I was up during the night with my teething one year old and decided that sleep sounded better. I actually got up at about 6:45. I guess the baby knew I needed some time this morning because he slept in until 8:15! I will try again on Monday.
I woke up at 6am and was able to get my shower in and dressed and feeling refreshed before my kids or husband got up, which was awesome. Made me feel a lot more relaxed and able to enjoy sitting with the kids more as I made their breakfast and we ate it before I had to take my son to school. So far so good. I also worked out last night for the first time in a long while which was great, just did a quick 10 minutes of cardio and then 10 minutes of yoga. But it helped me get to sleep better I think which helped this morning 🙂 🙂
My goal is 5:30 a.m., but didn’t wake up until 6:01. I usually wake up when I hear my husband getting ready for work, but I had a rough night and slept right through and was shocked to see what time it was. I’m going to set the alarm tonight. 🙂
Well my goal was 6 but this morning I woke at 7. My justification was that last night neither my husband or myself could sleep so we spent some time up talking late into the night. It was a great time together, but I didn’t meet my goal. 🙂
6:00 am! I am converting from a night owl to an early bird! I was able to run, shower, shower one of my children, and start breakfast by 7:30! Normally I’d be just pulling myself out of bed.
Goal: 6:30am. Awake: 6:25am. Out of bed: 6:40am. Best of all, I actually ACCOMPLISHED something during my extra awake time! I am so excited to have used that time. That small success should help encourage me tomorrow to do more of the same!
I got up at 5:50 which is late for me. Want to know why? My cat, who has never shown cat like tendencies before, brought a LIVE MOUSE into the house and then let it go in my daughter’s room while she was sleeping! DH & I were chasing it with a broom, but it got away. We set a trap, and caught it around 1 am, which I know because the cat dragged the mouse in the trap to me while I was sleeping. Kind if hard to sleep last night.
So anyway, trying for 5 tomorrow. I’m trying to do it without an alarm, which I can do if I get to bed early enough and don’t spend half the night grossed out.
Oh. my. goodness. I don’t know if I could sleep after something like that. Too much adrenaline! Did your daughter sleep through the whole thing? Usually those mice squeal like nothing else when they’re caught. I really hope you have a more peaceful night tonight!
Up at 4:50am, and I headed to the gym just like I do every M/W/F. Tu/Th I wake up at 6am and have an hour to work before the rest of the house rises. I save my workout those days until lunchtime.
Yes, in my world, 6am is sleeping in. 🙂
Oof, I got up around 8, but I was definitely grumpy. Got to bed a little late, too, so that needs to change! 🙂
Good luck to all those whom this is an encouragement for. This is not a challenge I will participate in. I am quite happy with sleeping in as late as my kids will let me and there is nothing wrong with that. Every person/family is different and that is ok. If you are a night owl, that is not something to feel guilty about. I know this challenge is a positive thing for so many of you and I am so happy for you all. If this is not for you, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about living your life the was it works for you.
Hi Christie, for you, I say, “if it aint broke, don’t fix it”. Seems like you are quite content with your current morning routine and it brings you satisfaction and joy. Nope, absolutely nothing wrong with that, no judgement or guilt here, to each their own.
A 4:30 am wake up will probably never happen for me, neither will doing house chores after 9pm. We all have to find what works for us. Andy’s book gives us one great place and way we can try to start. If you don’t feel the need for that change right now, that’s a-ok. Just continue to encourage all the others here instead.
Who knows, you might find that as your gang grows, you may hit a season where you would more appreciate, or need, some morning just me time (besides extra sleep) before everyone else arises. A few precious minutes when no one is needing anything or asking anything of you, the phones are silent, you are alone to think or pray or exercise, when you can actually drink that hot cup of joe or tea in one leisurely sitting, before you have to rewarm it, twice! lol There is a time and a season for everything.
One of the best things you can do for those you love is to take good care of you. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, whatever you need to be healthiest woman and best wife and mom you can be. Sounds like right now, that’s getting all the sleep you can. 🙂 God Bless!
Thanks Angie. I appreciate the support and encouragement. My hope is to encourage anyone who can’t relate to this challenge.
I feel like night owls receive a lot of judgement and guilt trips, even if it’s not intentional. God made us all different for a purpose (for example, what would hospitals and those in them do without overnight nurses?). I know how well-meaning people are when they encourage others that “early-to-rise” is best. And the group-support challenges like these offer those who WANT to make this change in their life is invaluable. But at the same time I think it is very important to remember there is more than one right way to go about a day.
I am bothered that others feel the need to condemn non-morning people as “depressed about their life” (see several comments up). I’m sure there are early birds and night owls alike that are depressed, but as much as I hate mornings, I love my life. I don’t need fixing and I resent being told by this author otherwise. I am secure enough to know that this is just one man’s distorted opinion, but there was a time I would not have been so confident, and these posts would have made me feel bad about myself for no reason.
I feel for those who feel condemned because they do not fit into this mold. To anyone who happens to read this, if that is you, I want you to know that “Early to Rise” is not the Bible and Andy Traub, not the Holy Spirit. If God convicts you to make a change, please listen to that call. Otherwise, know that you are not alone and being a night owl is not a sin. Much love!
Woke up at 7:00 instead of 6:00, because I had totally forgotten that today was March 1st!!! Will work on moving back my wake up times so when Monday rolls around it won’t be so hard when the alarm goes off at 6:00!!!
I was out of bed at 5:35 and by 6:20 am I had run 4 miles!!!
I was up at 5 – my goal was 4:30, but since I was up with my 5 year old at 3:30 I was okay with letting myself sleep a little later. 🙂 I finished a load of laundry and cleaned the kitchen, got a dinner reservation made for this evening, and did some work before getting myself and the kids out the door to the office and school.
I ME TOO! – just like Crystal!!! 5:31 !
Said I was going to get up at 530, but the 3 month old got up at 4…so I got up at 6. Made coffee–then went grocery shopping!! Had an amazing trip (saved 65–spent 55), only got to work a little late (which is fine!) and have had a wonderful day all day since. I got so much done today. Started my after-the-baby diet (finally!) and am really looking forward to the weekend. I am pumped. It is so much nicer to do this with great company.
My alarm went off at 5:30, I snuggled my husband and begged for a few more minutes, and I finally shot out of bed at 5:40. I remembered that I had coffee ready to brew and a breakfast bar waiting next to my Bible! 🙂 Food and coffee are excellent motivators!!
I am curious as to how early you find yourself going to bed to meet this challenge. I like my quiet evenings with my husband after our kids are in bed..so I usually can’t get to bed much earlier than 11:00 ish in order to have that special quiet time with him.
I was wondering the same thing.
I’m with you Dona and Em. I have two teens left at home, and have been homeschooling them. I am a morning person by nature. I LOVE getting up early and having God and me time, time to exercise, tea time, time to think, plan, read and write, without interruptions! However, I have to be realistic too. Each season of life has it’s different demands and adjustments. Each family is unique in it’s circumstances.
After each busy day and dinner, we try to spend time as a family, relaxing, watching a movie or just hanging out, making the next days plans etc. until about 9:30. I work until then 2 nights a week, so it’s 10 or later on those nights. My boys are night owls, so now we just remind them to turn off the lights, take the dogs out and lock up, and we turn in before them. Sometimes I do wish I could still put them to bed and have a quiet house, like when they were little!
When my boys start driving in the next year, I will definately once again be the “waiting up mama” until they are safely home, as I was with their 2 older siblings. I found that they are primed to open up and share then too, so there is a “reward” for my sacrifice. Sometimes, I’m tucked into bed, ready for lights out and they plop on the end of our bed. No ignoring that or shooing them off then! I’m so aware that the door is closing on those moments, so I treasure them. I figure I’ll be able to go to bed (and get up) whenever I want when I have an empty nest, and am missing them!
I value my adult time with the Hubs too, (which is sometimes snuggling and talking first thing after we wake, when we are not brain dead) and he tends to stay up later than me at night. So, we’ve had to compromise and communicate. I HAVE to have a minimum of 7 hours of sleep, or I’m prone to migraine headaches. Need to take care of my body and spirit’s needs, find balance with family and still get some quiet time in the morning to be most productive and joy filled at the start of each day. I’m nicer to be around all day that way. 😉
I admire those who can get up at 6, 5, or 4:30 (!), and do, but I think there’s no shame in 7 or 9, or even 10, as long as that’s a new challenge to YOU, and you are making an effort to overcome laziness and low energy/productivity, as well as create a new mindset and better habits in the process.
I will never be a 5 am-er, at least not while I have kids still at home. I’ve decided that 7 am is reasonable for me for now, (it was 7:23 this morning, oops, no alarm!) especially since teens like to sleep in-whenever they can! I might try for 6:30 to assure I get a run or other workout in as well. I’m thankful I can nap later whenever I want or need to. I gather (without reading the book yet) that this challenge is really more about establishing consistently good habits and starting your day in a more relaxing, productive, joy filled way, then whether you get up at the crack of dawn. 🙂
I woke up at 5:50, but didn’t get out of bed until 5:57 🙂
I woke up at 6am. I reread day 1, read a few chapers of 1 Samuel and got in a workout before the kids woke up.
I made my rise time of 6:30 this morning! I’ve included the link to my post from yesterday about it above. I probably won’t blog about it every day, but 1-2 times a week. I am tweeting about it every day, though! Thanks for the challenge!
I got up at 8 AM today. I’m in for the challenge and will commit to an earlier time of 7 AM at least. I have to get up at 5 AM some days for a running team I’m on here, but 7 AM every other day.
My wake up goal is 6:30 and I got up at 6:45. It is still 1/2 hour earlier than I have been getting up so it’s a good start. 🙂
I got up at 7:00 as planned. However the most important step I think is working toward getting the kids to bed sooner– and keeping them there. One thing we’re loving for my daughter is an OK to Wake nightlight/alarm clock. It turns green when it’s ok for her to get up which means I don’t have to spend as much time convincing her 3:00 a.m. is NOT “good morning” time. 🙂
The clock was expensive, but worth it since I still have an opportunity to do my office job from home while caring for our toddler and 6-month-old. Since being a mom is a full time job itself we invest in tools to make running our household easier.
I woke up whwn I said I was going to 7 am yesterday and today! I was quite suprised because I figured I would be tired but I haven’t been yet 🙂 I woke up and read both mornings so it was a really good start to my day.
Set my alarm for 6:30 which usually is an hour before my kids wake up and of course my 18 month old decides that she needs to be up before 6. My morning didn’t go like I thought but that is life with little ones. Maybe I’ll be able to work my way to getting up at 6 or even earlier before the end of the month. Boy would I love to have a few hours to do things without kids.
5:45 just when the alarm went off.
Yesterday a took a short nap and had trouble falling asleep last night. Today will be too busy to nap, so I’ll just have to keep going until bedtime!
6:30am on the dot. And I felt ready to get up and go!!
I got up at 6:30 this morning. It was really nice and so quite in the house. I really enjoyed having the quite time. 🙂
Well, I find it ironic that I started setting a goal to wake up at 6am this week and managed to do it every morning except this morning day 1 of the challenge. However, it had something to do with a husband who was gone all week and ending up waking me up at 4:30am and we talked for a bit and I went back to sleep at 6 til right before 7am. The nice part was he was able to have breakfast with the twins, something he NEVER gets to do during the week!
I got up this morning at 751. Still early for me but I did hit the snooze once. I am,making more of a commitment to no snooze by moving my alarm to the other side of my room
Got up at 5:30am! It was a success for DAY 1
The alarm went off at 5:30 and I laid in bed a minute and then thought….
Crystal is expecting me to get up, so I did. Had a good morning because of it….
I woke up at 6:15 – a little over an hour earlier than normal. I was able to pray, read my bible (and day 1 of the book), and see my husband off to work. I still had an hour for my normal morning routine before my 18 month old twins woke up. So excited for what each day of this challenge holds in store!
10:00 on the dot. Because I was so productive yesterday, I am not sure what to do right now. I have been planning on making some Zuppa Toscano, Olive Garden’s potato soup, I was going to prep it all last night and then just put it together today so my Bf could eat some before he left for work (2nd shifter), But got hit with the start of a cold so I opted to cuddle in bed. So I will go ahead and get that going, and see where my day takes me from here. I hope to use this time to do some physical therapy workouts. I feel uneasy doing them when there is any one else home or is up. So maybe tomorrow, I can get that started. Off now to make my soup. Have a great and productive day !
Lisa
I woke up at 5:03!
Up at 5AM. I had 2 hours to knit and read while I enjoyed my morning coffee.
5:30 every weekday morning to get my husband off to work.
I have been inching back my wake up time for a few weeks and this was the perfect time to start my goal of 5:30! However, my two year old decided to get up 3 times last night for some reason so I let myself “sleep in” til 6. :). For myself the best reason to get up early is just to have time to wake up and get myself together before caring for my little ones. Makes me a much more effective mom the rest of the day, even if I don’t get anything “done” during that time.
Woke up at 5:15 with no alarm clock! Don’t be jealous, it’s cause I have the flu 🙁 Goal was 5:30. Yay for everyone who was able to be awake at their goal! If you didn’t make your goal today, there’s always tomorrow morning!
Today I woke up at 5:30 and plan to continue during this challenge!
On this first morning of the challenge I am reminding myself that, while I think self-discipline is important, I also think grace is important. I am committed to getting up at 5:00a M-F but this morning, after a long night up with a sick daughter, I managed to get up at 6:00a. I still count that as a success because, believe me, I wanted to sleep later than that!
I totally count that as a success, too.
Grace is a beautiful thing and something we all need to give ourselves more of!
Amen! The goal is joy, not discipline.
Is it too late to join? I usually get up at 7:30 or 8am because my son luckily doesn’t have school until 9am and I homeschool the others. I would like to get up earlier than my kids because that would be the ONLY time of day I would be able to have time alone. I really feel that I need time alone. In a family of 6 and being super house bound, I just need some peace in my day. I think I can manage to get up at 6:30am. My husband gets up to go to the gym at that time and it would be nice to see him off and maybe even sneak in a cup of coffee and a kiss together. 🙂
Absolutely not… we’d love to have you join!
Great! Thanks!
I got up at 6:20 which is 25 minutes earlier than I need to. I’ve been practicing VISUALIZING my dreams and my success as well as having quiet time before I start my day. I can tell it’s positively affecting my mood. Thank you for these posts! Have a great day!
1:00 am and then up at 5:30… does having an 8 week old count?! lol sleep deprived but oddly productive once i start coffee at like 6ish.
6am!
Got up at 6:35 which is actually pretty good for me but I purchased the book and will be reading and coming up with a goal time. Mainly because I’d like to fit in a workout. 🙂
I woke up at 7:50ish, 10 minutes before my alarm went off! I’m so proud of myself! It sure doesn’t seem like much compared to everyone else, but it’s big for me! It was great having time to read my Bible & get in a little prayer before my kids woke up (though my 4 year old woke at 8:30, interrupting my prayer. He did join me for a bit. 🙂 )
I got up at about 6:35 today. Yesterday I didn’t do so hot. I didn’t roll out of bed until 7:10. 🙁 My kiddos had me up all night and I hit snooze and didn’t wake up until I had a little one pulling me out of bed. 🙁 But I did better today! I got to bed by 11 last night (which is good for me lately) and was able to pull my behind out of bed by around 6:35. 🙂
I got up at 5:30 this morning.
I got up at 5:11 am. Went to bed at 9:00 pm
My goal was 8:00, and I was up at 7:20. #4 is a horrible sleeper (after 3 amazing sleepers!), but you go with what you get! 🙂
5:10. This is way out of my comfort zone, but it allows me to workout with a great group of women and have my quiet time before starting my day.
6:25. My goal was 6:00, but I woke up with a fever – go figure! So, no workout for me this morning, and lots of resting and hot tea today – don’t have time to be sick!
I awoke up at 4:45 am I try to do it during the week, because that is the only way I can work out and have time to get ready for the rest of the day
I was up at 6:50, dressed, & out the door for a 40 minute (very chilly) walk/run while listening to a sermon on my phone. Great start to my day!
Up at 5:05am. Showered, got dishes done, packed lunches, had breakfast, fed the pets, walked the dog, got the mail/took out the trash and carpooled with my husband to work at 7am and arrived at work 15 min early. Not a bad morning! 🙂 Great way to start a new month!
Got up at 6:30!
I got up at 5:30, made coffee, found a quiet spot, read and journaled for about 45 min. I work full time and it was great not rushing to get ready! But I felt like I needed to *do* something productive during that time. Dishes, laundry, exercise…something. I started reading the book last night and love it!! And as easy as the book is to read, I guess I’m over thinking it–should I be doing something productive or something ‘relaxing’ that fills me up? Thanks!
I suggest that you do whatever will set up you for success during the day. I like to spend the first part of the morning reading/praying/journaling and then I jump in and start getting stuff done.
Have you ever struggled with falling back asleep while reading? A shower would help me wake up, but I need to be quiet so my kids don’t wake up too. I love the concept of putting Bible and prayer first in my day, but it’s hard for me to shake the drowsies right at 5:30 a.m. and stay awake for reading.
Can you do some type of exercise or go outside and do some jumping jacks? Okay, so the neighbors might give you some strange looks if they happen to peek out of their windows, but it might help to wake you up!
If I go to bed at a decent hour, it usually doesn’t take me too long to wake up in the morning — especially because I look forward to my morning coffee every morning. 🙂
Tres, do what gives you energy for the rest of the day. My wife can’t relax when the house is messy so she cleans stuff then relaxes. But DO take care of yourself in the morning. Do something different if you want you life to look different.
I had made most of the lunches last night after dinner, so for a treat, I stayed in bed 15 extra minutes this morning, got up at 5:55.
Up at 4:50. I went to workout class for 50 minutes and then wrote sub plans because I have a sick daughter 🙁 Put supper in the crockpot, and now am relaxing with the kiddos.
My alarm went off at 7:30, so I was awake, but didn’t get out of bed until 8:40. This is a victory, though – I’ve had a lot of trouble sleeping the past few months, only getting good sleep from about 7AM-11AM many days. This week I’ve been experimenting with a few things and gradually moving back to more “normal” sleeping patterns. So, last night’s sleep was about 12:30AM-7:30AM with just a couple of restless times.
Fridays are a part of my weekend, so today’s goal was to be up by 8am. Surprisingly, I woke up at 6:58am! Woohoo!!!
I’m flying today so I had to get up earlier than I committed too 🙂
This week may be a challenge because it’s my annual vacation, and I feel like I’m supposed to be resting…we’ll see how this goes…
My goal is 7. Today it was about 7:20 when i finally rolled out of bed. Not bad for day 1 🙂 I will get better, I’m determined!!
WRONG! It was GREAT for day 1. Way to go!
My alarm was at 7:10 am! Glad to see I’m not the only one waking after 6:30am. Will work on getting up by 6am by month’s end.
Alarm is by the kitchen window so I have to get up and walk around a bit to turn it off. Highlight of the morning- picking a memory verse for Beth Moore’s blog:
http://blog.lproof.org/2013/03/2013-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-5.html
awake at 5:30 but didn’t physically get out of bed until 5:45 am, spent some quality time with my fuzzy kid, took long hot shower and got myself ready. It was so nice not to be rushed and enjoyed the moments. Was able to get kids up earlier too but didn’t get us out of the house any earlier 🙂
oh this weekend i plan to move my alarm clock across the room so I have physically get up and out of bed. will also change from radio to annoying buzzer. i know the buzzer will get me outta bed quickly so it doesn’t disturb the rest of the household.
This is a great way to get yourself up!
Goal 5:00am
Wake up time: 6:00am
I bought a programmable outlet that turns my lamp on at 5am so I didn’t have to listen to an alarm go off, hoping it would ease me nicely into my morning for this challenge. I believe it did turn my light on at the programmed time, but I didn’t see it until 5:45!! Then I laid there, feeling defeated for awhile. But then I got myself out of bed and made the most of the morning I had left before the kiddos got up – at 7am.
Maybe I will try a soft alarm AND the light tomorrow… 🙂
I can’t believe I did it! Whoo Hoo!! I think my time was 6:09am. I didn’t hit the second snooze. 🙂
The second snooze is dangerous. Good call.
I woke up at 6:40! I didn’t go super ambitious this morning – just took Andy’s advice in waking up one hour earlier than I usually do. My morning was SO much less stressful – even with added responsibilities since I am pet-sitting. I cannot wait for tomorrow! 🙂
Way to go Brooke!
Got up at 5:40am. I have been sick all week w/a cold; looks like it might be developing into a sinus infection. Was VERY hard to get up, but I did it! This is only about 30 min. earlier than usual. Planning to give myself a couple more days to feel better, then begin getting up at 5:15…or even 5. Got a lot done–finally was able to have an actual “Quiet” time reading my Bible b/c I completed my reading/journaling time before my 5 yr old woke up. He is already an early riser, and hard to beat out of bed. Looking forward to tomorrow’s reading. Expecting it to be tougher tomorrow, being Saturday and all.
6:15 am.
The animals were happy to be out earlier and I got two kitchen cabinets cleaned! Who knew!
Woke up, unintentionally, at 5:30 to discover our house was 57 degrees and the furnace wasn’t working. I covered the kids with extra blankets and dozed until my alarm went off at 6:30. Then I laid in the warm bed until 7 as my husband got ready and made calls about the heat.
This isn’t how I envisioned the first day of the challenge going for me, especially since I was really looking forward to, and really needed to have, a productive morning. But right now I’m thankful for a mother-in-law who will let us come over at 7:15 and a service company who is making us their first stop.
Oh no! I hope you get it resolved quickly. It’s no fun being without heat with little ones. So thankful you have a place to go! 🙂 I’m amazed your kiddos stayed in bed! Mine don’t keep the covers on very well….I have a feeling if it had gotten down that low, I know my 3 year old would’ve gotten up and snuggled with us. 🙂 My 1 year old and 4 year old probably would have continued to sleep, though!
That makes for a memorable day 1. now when you have heat you won’t have an excuse to climb back into bed. Sorry about the furnace. you can do it!
I woke up (and STAYED vertical!) just before 4:30. Day 1 is a success!!
I had set my goal time for 5:45. Last night was a rough one with sick kiddos, so I hit snooze a few times and woke at 6:41. No problem, I thought, the challenge doesn’t start until tomorrow, March 1, so I will work on going to bed early. It wasn’t until I checked my facebook that I realized today is March 1st!!!! lol I totally missed a day this week!
Normally this would happen and I would feel like a failure and throw in the towel. Same with eating healthy or training for a 5k. One day off and I would quit, thinking I had failed. But I am committed to making a life change here, not just with waking early, but with following through on my goals even when they are not perfect. Giving myself grace to make a mistake and try again the next day. So tomorrow is a new day (which I now know is March, geesh :)) and I will commit to waking at 5:45!!
BOOM! YOU GOT IT! It’s not about the time you wake up. It’s about life change. You’re gonna do great!
6:30 plus 1 snooze = out of bed at 6:35. It’s a start.
it’s a GREAT start!
Good AM….Thanks for hosting. I was so inspired this morning. I am glad I have joined. I woke up at 6 AM.
Up at 4:15 a.m. Got hubby up, made pancakes, hubby off to work, devotional, shower, 4 kids up, dressed and off to school by 7:30 a.m.
Lol, except for the baby, who didn’t go to school, he’s at work with me 🙂
I was up by 6:30. This was surprising, as I have committed to 8 being my wake up time (I am an exhausted pregnant lady, after all. Only a few more weeks until my wake-up time is no longer determined by me). I love the book so far and I’ve read through the Day 1 tasks. I think what struck me the most was when he said that if you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, you’re depressed about your life. This sounds harsh, but I know exactly what he’s saying. After experiencing true depression during college, some of my habits have never gotten better even though I really don’t feel depressed anymore. There’s no reason for me to be depressed about my life. I have my own business doing what I really want to do from home and I’m happily married and have a little one arriving in a matter of weeks. God has truly blessed me! There’s absolutely no good reason for me to stay in bed in the morning other than it being a bad habit and I really want to change that!
I’m glad you connected with that part. It’s a harsh reality but it’s true whether it’s full blown depression or just not liking a day job. Thx for reading and being in on the challenge.
Woke up and got up at 4:50am! :~)
I got out of bed at 5:15. My alarm went off at 5, but I made the mistake of not instantly getting up, so I fell back asleep and woke up with a start at 5:15 afraid I had slept even longer than that. I love the extra time I get alone when I am up at 5, so I really want to make this a habit. My day goes so much better when I do!
Failed my first day and didn’t get up until 7:30. I’ll try again on Monday.
Ashley, if you get up tomorrow you’ll be 50%. The next day you’ll be 66%. The next day you’ll be 75%. In four day’s you’ll go from 0% to 75%. You’re gonna do great! DOn’t be hard on yourself. It’s a habit and it’s hard.
Wow, y’all are awesome!
My hubby is working on getting up at 5:00 and I’d love to join him but goodness, this second trimester thing is exhausting! LOL. I’m working on getting a nap during the day so I can join him, but until then, 5 A.M. just isn’t happening. 😛
I’m 26 weeks pregnant, and my absolute earliest day begins at 6. Don’t forget the extra sleep is as much for the baby as it is for you. Don’t try to get up at 5 am! There will be PLENTY of days the baby will wake you up at 5 and you can choose to stay awake if you want. This is my 4th in four years, and the brief opportunities for productivity between pregnancies remind there will be plenty of mornings in the future to get up early. For now – get your sleep! 🙂
You said it!
I’m not planning on shorting myself on sleep. Just trying to rearrange it so that I take a nap while my toddler does, and then get up with hubby. I figure I can either be productive for two hours while LO is sleeping in the morning, or in the afternoon. And I think hubby would appreciate it.
5:37 am. 7 minutes past goal. But I will take it!
I was up at 6am and although I was silent in my getting up (really I was!), I was joined by my 2 yr old within 5 minutes. 🙂 I guess this might be a whole family challenge! Not quite what I had in mind, but I will work with it.
That is one of my struggles too, Kerri! Its doesn’t matter what time I get up – 5:00 or 8:00 – my kids have little mini radars that tell them mom is up! So part of the challenge for me is trying to figure out how to be quiet with waking but still keep them sleeping! A 5:30 wake up for my 3 yr old does NOT make for a happy day! LOL Let me know what works for you!!!
A fan in my daughter’s room is what worked for me. The “white noise” made it easier for me to get up without waking her.
LOL I do the same thing that you gals do and so do my kiddos. Its nice to be up so early but they get extremely cranky when they are up so early.
Up at 5am only to find that the dog had gotten sick and pooped all over in his kennel over night…too bad my husband didn’t get up first, then he would have cleaned it up 😛 oh well, the day can only go up from here!
Look on the bright side, at least he was in his kennel, not with access to the whole house… :\
I got up @ 5:10 this morning. After getting my husband off to work, I’ve been doing some things on the computer that I’ve been putting off.
I was up at 2!!!
Not by choice !! Heard my baby cry and then I couldn’t go back to bed.
After tossing and turning I was Out of bed at 4 am
– review the budget for the month of March
-Meditate
– Work on revisions for 2 of my ebooks
Pretty happy with the work, just need to make sure I get a NAP
I got up at 5:34am, on the west coast!!! LOL
Wow! You’ve had a productive morning! And a nap later today sounds like it might be a wise choice for you. 🙂
I got out of bed at 6:30 am.
Woohoo! Up at 6 and enjoyed watching the morning news without also rushing around to take care of everyone else and get them out the door on time.
5:43
5:37! I got about 15 minutes devotionals, and started right on to getting some schoolwork done. Early to bed and early to rise makes this junior in high school happy. And I got in a 45 minute workout! It feels goooood 🙂
Thanks for motivating us!
Wow, good for you! When I was in high school, I was always chasing after more sleep!
Day 1 and I was up at 6:00am, no snooze, no excuses. I surprised the heck out of hubby too, I was in a quiet orner of the house and he started looking everywhere for me. It was funny! So excited to be a part of this challenge, it is exactly what I needed!
That’s too funny! And go you!
I love your mantra: No snooze, no excuse.
HA! classic!
lol. that’s funny!!
5:30: Wanted to roll over for ‘just five more minutes’ but threw those feet on the floor anyway. Teeth brushed and out the door for my Couch to 5K run. My first ever 22 minute (without stopping) run. Listened to portions of the Pope’s last address as I ran. Inspiration Overload! A wonderful start to the day!
That is amazing to just do the run alone. I’m so inspired by you today. Thanks.
Woke up at 6, but not out of bed until 6:15. But on the positive side, I have been going to bed earlier to work on my goal of 6:00 a.m.
I woke up this morning at 6:30, got my little lovlies off to school, paid all my bills (woohoo I’m broke again, lol), and I posted on all my social networks. Now I am surfing the net and looking for some ideas to make my life a little easier.
I woke @4:30am PST without an alarm clock.
I read my Bible reading plan
Went over my todo list with my husband (we are in the middle of a kitchen/laundry remodel)
Read my emails and sent off 2 emails
Now starting to read this first day of Andy’s Book.
Hope all are having a positive morning.
Was up at 5:30 despite baby getting up at 4. He’s usually pretty good about going back to sleep after a diaper change and bottle but it usually takes me a little longer. Today I slept another hour or so on the couch so as not to be disturbed by my husband, who wakes up at 4:45 after hitting the snooze for what seems like an eternity! Since he worked today he was about out the door when he woke me up at exactly 5:30 — with coffee!
Kristi,
Those of us on similar schedules (waking up with a baby and/or toddler who is suddenly afraid and hearing noises during the night) are rooting for you. I have tried getting up early to get things accomplished before I go to my FT job, but my baby has bionic hearing. Argh. Maybe in another season of life! Good for you though, seriously!
Good for YOU for not trying to justify away not awakening any early. Too often we moms feel like we have to defend our choices to each other! I like your honesty – nope, not happening, too tired! 🙂
I was hoping to get up at 6:20am but I didn’t get up until 7am. I thought I would have an hour or so to myself, but right as I got up both the baby and toddler heard me and woke up too so I definitely know how you feel! I guess that just means I MUST wake up byb 6am or earlier and hope the littles don’t hear me 😉
I did it!! I got up at 5:25 am! Worked out, got to work, and am having a productive day!!!
Alarm went off at 5 but I didn’t get up until 5:40. I was just laying there listening to the mixture of snow and rain. When I got up I read Andy’s Day 1 over again because I had read it last night. I took Sara’s suggestion in an earlier post. I said I was going to start reading the bible but didn’t know where to start. She suggested Proverbs. I think it is a good place to start. I’ve eaten breakfast and tracked my meal, made my lunch, and now I’m re-sizing a picture of a bird I took the other day. I think I’ll blog bout all this later on.
What are you all using as a wake up alarm tone if you use your phone?
I prefer to be woken up quietly, and tried using the vibrate. I can usually hear a pin drop but the vibrate didn’t make as much noise on the nightstand as I thought it would. So I tried putting it under my pillow and it woke me up, but not as peacefully as I would have like. In fact, I wouldn’t say it “woke me up” so much as I would say it “caused me to leap off the pillow.” All this to say, if you really need a jolt to get going try putting your phone on vibrate under your pillow 🙂
just be careful with your phone on the bed, read thing about fire because of that
Well, then I suppose it’s a good thing my husband is a fire fighter! LOL!
Way to go! I am laughing really hard right now and getting strange looks from my family O.o hahah
Proverbs are great, so are the Psalms. Very encouraging and so full of practical wisdom. Btw: Once those are a one a day habit, I’d recommend including one of the gospels in the New Testament too, like John. 🙂
Sounds like you had a great start to your day Amber. Good job! You’ve inspired me to pick a project to tackle too.
Aw, thanks Angie! This is definitely going to be an eye opening experience for sure. What project are you gunna tackle? If you don’t mind sharing that is.
“eye opening” LOL, got that right!
Don’t mind at all… first, for background, my hubby launched a business in recent months and often works from home now. We pressed half of a large underused basement bedroom into service as his home office space. I had been using a corner of it for a homeschool planning area; bookshelf, desk and 4 drawer cabinet. I also put my bike on a stand so I could exercise indoors in the winter.
Everything else, like craft, office and teaching supplies etc, had been in other parts of the room. We also have a small bookshelf and rocking chair in one corner with a lamp for a quiet reading area…and as a place where my teenager can put his music stand up and practice his trumpet in the evening, far from the rest of us upstairs! 😉
Since we had to designate hubby’s area, for tax purposes, solely for business use, (i.e. that portion of square footage is marked as his territory only) that meant that all the other stuff got hastily piled in boxes and bags and dumped into my corner! So much for my neat & tidy planning space. So, my project, which I’d been avoiding, and couldn’t do easily during business hours, is to sort through and organize all that miscellany during some of my quiet am hours! We really need to paint that room too, but think I’ll save that for a weekend project together. 🙂
Btw, I checked out your blog Amber, I like your Big Goals list. I can relate to some that might surprize you. I’m going to leave you a comment there ok, and then maybe we can chat more. Hope your first early wake up day of the week was a successful, satisfying and productive one sofar. Mine has definately been so.
6 am. I actually started this yesterday because I wasn’t sure if we were starting right after you posted about this or not. I haven’t actually done that much that is “productive” except to wake up early, but I’m just starting with the waking up part first. The first night I went to sleep early with no problems, but last night, there was a bit of a struggle because my husband had to get ready for a trip and make a phone call right as I was trying to go to sleep, and once I kind of wake up, then it takes another hour to go to sleep, but I still woke up at 6 am anyway again today. Even though I’m not “doing” that much in the morning, what is good is that by the time my kids are up for breakfast, I at least have had some downtime to wake up mentally and have some coffee before I have to talk to them.
It sounds like you’re off to a great start and way to go on starting a day early! 🙂
Following along on instagram. Cheering everyone on.
I love instagram.
I did it! I woke up at 5 a.m. I have read 13 pages of Andy’s book including the day 1 challenge, I walked and prayed for 15 minuts and did yoga for 30 minutes. This is more than I’ve done in a morning for years!
Woohoo!!!! I’m so proud of you!
Wooohooo!
I woke up at 6:41!