Lately, I’ve had a lot of people ask me how I’ve been able to multiply my income over the past few years while doing seemingly much less work.
Did I inherit a large chunk of money from a long-lost aunt?
Did I hit it big on a scratch-off ticket?
Is it real – or do I secretly slave away behind closed doors, where no one can see me?
While I’m open and receptive to large sums of money coming to me any day, I have not inherited any money yet.
I have also not won any scratch-off lotteries (yet).
And, thankfully, I do not slave-away behind my computer for 70 hours a week.
What’s my secret, then?
Like I said before, it’s multifaceted and too much to go into here. But, I would like to share one of my top money-making and productivity tips with you today.
Can you guess what it is?
If you thought of “waking up early”, you’re right!
At first glance, I realize it doesn’t seem like anything special.
No bells or whistles.
No fireworks.
And it’s getting up … earlier.
What could be good about that?
I hear you, my friend – I really do.
I used to feel the same way.
And then I had kids.
And time got scarce.
Can you relate?
Somehow, through no one’s fault, my needs and wants vanished. Or wound up at the back of the line.
I dealt with it for a while, happy to take on the extra work and feeling guilty for even thinking of putting myself before my kids or family.
But then, one gray, snowy day, I looked down at myself in my old scrappy pajamas and thought about the rest of my clan: off to school and work, fully dressed, and well-fed. And here I was, already exhausted and running on empty. In that moment, I felt alone and I started to cry.
Why does it have to be this way? I thought.
There MUST be a way for all of us to meet our needs, including me.
I pondered it for a bit, pulling myself up and back together, praying an idea would come. And I let it go.
And just like it has happened so many times before, I had a flash of insight – an epiphany!
The image of an alarm clock flashed in my head.
“Eureka!” I cried. (I was in the house alone.)
“That’s it!”
“Why didn’t I think of this earlier?” I smiled and shouted to myself.
And from the next day forward, I began my journey of early awakening.
Cheesy story? Yes.
True story? Yes.
Did it work? Yes!
I’ll spare you all the details right now, but to say that waking up early was an answer to my prayers is an understatement.
There is something about waking up early – before anything else has stirred – that is magical.
Then, there is the fact that you can think. I mean, you can actually hear yourself think! And if you’re a caregiver, you can relax – you don’t have to be on guard, watching, reacting, or anticipating every move your child or other family member makes. It’s amazing!
And the time before the sun has risen is a special time anyway. It is a mysterious, magnificent time that is difficult to describe but easy to feel.
Most importantly, you can get stuff done! Lots and lots of stuff. Stuff you want to do and other stuff you may not feel is important but is ESSENTIAL to every aspect of your being! (I’ll go into this in a few weeks).
My magical wake-up times have ebbed and flowed throughout the years – sometimes it’s 4:30, sometimes it’s 5 – but the results have stayed consistent:
I’m significantly more focused, productive and on my game when I wake up early.
I did this ritual alone for a number of years, but my husband started joining me two or three years ago. We have similar morning routines – journaling, gratitude, meditation and more – so it works out well. It also gives us some time to connect and chat before the day begins.
Sure, it doesn’t always happen the way I want it, and there are days when I get sick, one of my kids gets up early, or something else pops up, but overall it is consistent habit in my life that has paid me significant dividends.
So there you have it: one of my keys to financial and emotional success.
Not too hard.
Not too flashy.
Just a solid building block to make a good day great and a good life extraordinary.
That’s it for me today, but I’d love to hear from you:
Do you get up early? Why or why not?
Click here and tell me. I LOVE hearing from you! (Seriously, I do – It’s always the highlight of my day).
Talk soon!
Jaime
P.S. If you’re interested in learning how to get up early and do it in the smoothest, easiest way possible, don’t miss my next article – it’s directly geared toward that.
P.P.S. Later this month, I’ll also share which habits pack the most punch during early morning time, and how to avoid the most common early-riser pitfalls.