• http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com/ Ann Musico

    People have long thought I was nuts – but I get up at 4 am – have my time with God, make coffee and breakfast for my husband and whoever else is home (now it is usually only my daughter) and of course myself and then begin my day.  My husband leaves for work at 5:30 so usually I do my exercise then unless I am walking the rail trail with my friend – then we go at 7:30.  Yes, I think I get up plenty early enough lol – I have always been an early riser and a morning person.  This worked really well when my kids were small like Jude and the habit has stuck.  Only downside is, I’m pretty much ready for bed by 8:30!  By the way I never use an alarm – I have for 30 years asked God to wake me at  whatever time I need to be up and He always does! 

    • http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

      Ann, we thought of you while posting this! I think that’s incredible and a testament to your consistency and discipline. I know I want to get better in this area. 

      I’m consistant most of the time with getting up at 5:30, not this past week as Jude’s been sick though. It’s thrown us all off a little bit. 

      It’s great that you make starting your day off right a priority! 

      • http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com/ Ann Musico

         Michael – there have been those times especially when my children were younger when the same thing happened to me.  That’s life!  I don’t get up at 4 am on the weekends either – I relish being able to sleep until 7 am and it feels like noon to me!!

        • http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

          Haha, yeah, I guess that makes sense that 7 AM would feel like noon!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1364766771 Jody Berkey

    I’m enjoying not having to start my morning commute by 6:00 anymore.  I get to sleep in another hour which makes up for the later bedtime.  I used to fall asleep, exhausted from the day, by 8:30.  I’d wake up multiple times a night with a list of to-dos and work-related problems on my mind.  Life is much more balanced now, and I don’t feel tired all the time.  

    • http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

      Jody, that sounds stressful! Glad life is more balanced now for you guys. 

  • http://www.fatherofone.com/ Michael Wright

    For years I awoke at 4:30am, got ready for work, had my 30 minutes of quiet time, drove into work listening to some great minds speak.  Then 7 years ago, CK was born.  I haven’t recovered since!  This continues to be something I try to get in rhythm.  She has always been a erratic sleeper and even this week, she wakes up in the middle of the night, plus other issues we’ve been baffled with which required attention through the years.  I’ve learned to roll with it and adjust!

    • http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

      Way to be flexible, Michael. I know since we’ve had Jude, my getting up time has been changing more. Kids have a funny way of keeping you on your toes! 

  • http://www.180coach.com/ Rob Clinton

    There’s nothing like starting the day off right! :)  

    One thing I’ve had to learn is that no matter time I wake up or go to sleep I’m still going to be awake about the same amount of hours- with the exception of getting the kids ready in the morning… I have to be up for that no matter what…- Most everything else I can control. 

    I can decide what gets puts first on my plate, so no matter what, the first thing has to be “self”, and making sure I am preparing “me” well before I ready to tackle the day. That self preparation typically takes me around 4 hours… The first hour is a doozy, and I’m end up a better person that day if I allow myself to slowly come to life on my body’s own terms. Then when I’m ready I start my gratitude walk, and then reading or listening to positive things and from there flow right into my workout/running…

    Getting the kids ready falls somewhere in between there in sort of a “loud” fashion… It’s like rush hour in my house around 7am to 7:30am… :-)

    Things seem to flow better for me when I can “allow” my day to come alive and not force it.

    • http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

      I like the analogy of rush hour, Rob! 

      Love how you’re taking care of yourself so you can take care of others. The flexibility you have in this regard is one of the perks of being being self-employed and designing your life the way you want it!

      I don’t think there’s anything wrong with “allowing” the day to come alive. Sounds like a good plan a that it’s working well for you.