[pinit]Does anyone like getting up early? I must admit, it’s not my favorite thing to do. In fact, I’m really not in favor of the alarm clock at all. Just the name of it alone is enough to throw someone into a frenzy. Alarm?! Isn’t that what goes off to alert people of a pending unpleasant occurrence?
To me, it makes more sense to wake up when your body wakes up. Plain and simple. I figure once my body has had enough sleep, it will just naturally wake up. Right?
Well yes. But, alas I have a toddler. Therefore, my above mentioned dream only happens on occasion when a loving grandparent takes him overnight. 😉
So, on with everyday real life. My normal schedule has consisted of me waking up at 7am and going to bed by 11pm. However, this has not been working for me in the productivity department lately. For a while my son was going to bed exactly at 7pm, so I was working on my blog after that. But, he has been pushing that bedtime lately and it has been increasingly challenging to find time to work.
Everyday I would set out with new goals of working on my blog during the day while Eli would play and then again at night. However, the reality of it is that he does not appear to be a fan of me being on my laptop and not playing with him. So, nothing has been getting done during the day. And, my evenings have been consumed with getting Eli to sleep at a decent hour. Then of course, cleaning the kitchen after dinner, etc.
Yup, that has been my last few months, hence why my posts have been far and few between. I have found that life with a toddler is an ever constant juggling act. And, one must continuously make tweaks in order to make room for other activities.
This brings me to the 5am challenge. Yep. I’ve finally conceded. Being a person who vows to always find a way instead of find an excuse, I have decided to shift my schedule by 2 hours in order make time for productive work flow.
Now, I must tell you that I’m not doing this just to work. I have several dreams wrapped up in this blog. So, to not have time for it was just pulling at my heart. And, I could not bear to go to bed frustrated one more night. So, shifting my schedule is allowing me to achieve my dreams. I say this to encourage anyone else who has dreams in their heart, but thinks there is not time to pursue them.
So, how’s it going so far? Well, first I must let you in on a funny story. I decided to make this shift last Sunday night, with the intention of getting up at 5am on Monday. But, then I ended up going to bed late on Sunday, so the thought of 5am quickly went out the window and in seeped a little discouragement.
But, then Monday morning I got an alert for Crystal Paine’s Periscope. She is the creator of Make Over Your Mornings Course, (which I highly recommend!) And, guess what her scope was about?! The 5am challenge! She was putting on a challenge to get up earlier. Sweet! Just the accountability I needed! So, that was just enough for me to reset the goal and start again on Tuesday.
Therefore today brings me to the second day that I have arisen early. And, I am amazed. Although I had to work past the initial resentment when my alarm went off. I jumped out of bed! Ok, you’re right… I crawled out of bed. 😉 I put my tea kettle on, lit a candle, grabbed a kitty to cuddle with and then grabbed my Bible and devotions, etc.
I was able to enjoy uninterrupted time reading, praying, speaking affirmations and reviewing my goals. This was very fulfilling and had been questionable lately depending on when Eli would get up. So, that alone makes it worth it.
After about 45 minutes, I shifted focus and opened up my laptop. I actually had time to write! Yahoo!! And, I actually finished writing a Post yesterday morning!! This was so exciting for me, because the last post I had completed was on December 17th! And, in one day of getting up early, I was able to add content to my blog. That just made my heart sing!
Now, not only that.. this blissful feeling followed me throughout my day and night. I no longer had a frustrated feeling. Because, I knew if nothing else went as planned and I didn’t have any focused “alone” time, then I had already moved a step closer to my Dream.
One of my mentors in life always says this about Success… He says that Success is the progressive realization of a worthwhile dream.
And, ladies I believe this is true. I am most fulfilled and feel most successful when I am taking actions towards my dreams.
So, I encourage you today to consider what shifts you can make to ensure you have adequate time to achieve your dreams? It may not be getting up earlier. It may be limiting time on social media or watching TV.
But, as a side note, let me mention.. I made this shift with the understanding that I probably will not be able to do this everyday, due to my husband’s drastically different schedule. Sometimes we don’t even eat dinner until 9:30pm! So, to be in bed by 9, to be up by 5 would be highly unrealistic that day. But, I figure if I am only to keep this schedule 3 times a week, that is 6 hours a week that I can invest in my dream! So, it’s a WIN! And, whatever shift or tweak you decide upon, give yourself grace. Figure out what works with your life, no matter how non-traditional it is and go with it. 🙂
*This post contains affiliate links, noted by asterisks. For more information, see my disclosures here.*
~Here is a list of blogs where I “Link Up” .. Be sure to stop by and make some new friends!~
