How to Add 45 Days to Your Year

“An hour before 9 is worth 2 after 5.”— Ali Abdaal

Last week, I interviewed Travis, a successful real estate agent outside of Pensacola, FL. Travis was juggling his growing professional success with his desire to spend more time with his wife and child. The solution was to start getting up earlier. He shared that he goes to bed early and rises at 3:45 am each day. In those pre-dawn hours, he gets ahead while the world sleeps. “At some point,” he shared. “I figured out that an extra hour every day is like getting 15 extra days.”

Here's The Math:

365 days x 1 hour = 365 hours

365 hours / 24 hours = 15.2 days!

By getting up earlier, he was adding weeks to his years????

It was only after I got off the interview that I did the math. I think he’s actually underestimating how much an hour every day is worth. Most people work an 8-hour day. So each extra morning hour is the equivalent of over 45 work days!

My oldest son trained me to wake up early. I was on bottle duty in the morning and he’s always been an early riser. I loved those quiet mornings. Sunlight slanting through the living room and his tiny hands grasping my fingers around the bottle. I still rise at 5:40 am most days with or without an alarm or about 90 minutes earlier than I did before we had kids. That’s over 60 work days a year….

Some say parenting will take years off your life. Some days that feels true. But by training me to wake earlier, parenting added months to my years.

The Compounding Benefits of Rising Early

What Travis and I have experienced isn’t just about the raw numbers. The early hours are often the most productive because they are free from the usual distractions of the day. Imagine the clarity of thought and the quiet focus you can achieve when the world is still asleep. It’s in these moments that you can plan your day, reflect on your goals, or even work on a passion project.

Additionally, starting your day with a sense of accomplishment sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. You feel ahead, not behind, which can significantly boost your morale and productivity.

Practical Tips for Becoming an Early Riser:

• Evening Routine: Establish a calming evening routine to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. This might include reading, light stretching, or meditation.
• Gradual Adjustments: Don’t try to shift your wake-up time by hours overnight. Start with small increments, like 15 minutes earlier each week.
• Consistency: Try to wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This consistency helps regulate your internal clock.
• Purpose: Have a clear purpose for your early hours. Whether it’s exercise, reading, writing, or planning, knowing why you’re waking up early can keep you motivated.
• Limit Screen Time Before Bed: The blue light emitted by phones and computers can interfere with your sleep. Try to avoid screens at least an hour before bed.
• Create a Sleep-Inducing Environment: Make your bedroom a place of rest. Keep it cool, dark, and quiet. Consider using blackout curtains or a white noise machine if necessary.
• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. Just avoid vigorous exercise too close to bedtime.
• Watch Your Diet: Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bed. These can disrupt your sleep cycle.
• Hydrate Wisely: Drink enough water throughout the day but reduce intake close to bedtime to avoid waking up in the middle of the night.
• Use Technology: Consider using apps or alarm clocks designed to wake you during your lightest sleep phase, which can make waking up feel easier.

Reflect and Act

One question to ponder in your thinking time: What could you accomplish with an extra 45 days in a year? This isn’t just a theoretical exercise. Think about your long-term goals, dreams, or even those tasks that you never seem to get around to. With an additional 45 days, you could make significant progress toward them.

Personal Development

• Learning a New Skill: Whether it's picking up a new language, learning to play an instrument, or taking a course to enhance your professional skills, an extra hour each day can accumulate into a substantial amount of learning over the year.
• Reading: Imagine how many books you could read in those extra 45 days. This could be a mix of professional development books, novels, or biographies that inspire and inform you.

Health and Fitness

• Exercise Routine: With an extra hour in the morning, you can dedicate time to a regular exercise routine, which can improve your overall health, increase energy levels, and enhance your mental clarity throughout the day.
• Meal Planning and Preparation: Use the extra time to plan and prepare healthy meals, ensuring you eat nutritious food that fuels your body and mind.

Professional Growth

• Side Projects: Work on a side hustle or a passion project that you've always wanted to start. This could lead to new opportunities, additional income, or simply the satisfaction of pursuing something you love.
• Networking: Spend time building and nurturing professional relationships. This could include attending early morning networking events, reaching out to mentors, or connecting with colleagues over a virtual coffee.

Family and Relationships

• Quality Time: Use the early hours to spend quality time with your family, whether it’s having breakfast together, enjoying a quiet morning walk, or simply being present without the distractions of the day.
• Personal Connections: Reach out to friends and family members. A simple morning message or call can strengthen relationships and show your loved ones that you care.

Mindfulness and Reflection

• Journaling: Dedicate time to journal your thoughts, goals, and reflections. This can help you gain clarity, set intentions for the day, and track your progress over time.
• Meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation to start your day with a calm and focused mind. This can reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and improve your overall well-being.

Practical Implementation

• Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with the extra time. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and prioritize them.
• Create a Morning Schedule: Plan your morning activities in advance. Having a structured schedule can help you stay focused and make the most of your extra time.
• Track Your Progress: Keep a log of your activities and accomplishments. Seeing your progress can motivate you to continue and adjust your plans as needed.
• Reflect Regularly: Take time to reflect on what’s working and what’s not. Adjust your routine and goals based on your reflections to ensure you’re making the most of your mornings.

By consciously deciding how to use this extra time, you can transform your mornings into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. So, start small, stay consistent, and watch how those extra hours accumulate into meaningful progress and positive change.

Conclusion

Rising early isn’t just a habit; it’s a lifestyle choice that can profoundly impact your productivity and overall quality of life. By making small adjustments to your routine, you can add days, even months, to your productive time each year. So, set your alarm a little earlier, embrace the quiet mornings, and start making those extra 45 days count!