“We question all of our beliefs, except for the ones we really believe in, and those we never think to question.” 

                                     — Orson Scott Card

I recently had a client say she needs to change her schedule so that she is waking up early because all successful people wake early. 

Here is good question. What if her body’s most natural and optimal schedule is to wake up at 10 a.m. and go to sleep at 2 a.m.? 

What if she thinks most clearly, has the most energy, and feels her best emotionally on this schedule? 

Should she be completely void of all participation in a healthy, successful life because of this natural proclivity?

We need to determine for ourselves through play and experimentation what works for us. 

What compels us forward? 

What makes our life work? 

What inspires and motivates us? 

It’s up to each of us to figure these things out and start implementing them.

The Power of Personal Experimentation

Instead of adhering strictly to conventional wisdom, consider viewing your daily habits as experiments. The world is full of well-meaning advice and popular routines, but they may not suit everyone. Play with different routines and observe their impact on your mood, productivity, and overall well-being. Perhaps an early morning workout energizes you, or maybe a quiet cup of coffee while watching the sunrise sets a positive tone for your day. The goal is to discover what practices propel you forward and enhance your life.

Discovering What Inspires You

Inspiration and motivation are deeply personal. What works for one person might not work for another. Therefore, it’s essential to explore various activities and routines to find what ignites your passion. Whether it’s through creative endeavors, physical activities, or quiet reflection, identify the elements that bring you joy and integrate them into your daily life. For instance, if late-night reading sessions fuel your creativity and peace, embrace them rather than forcing yourself into an early bedtime.

Implementing Personalized Practices

Once you’ve identified the habits and routines that resonate with you, start implementing them consistently. This might require some trial and error, but the journey towards finding your unique rhythm is invaluable. Embrace the autonomy to craft a lifestyle that aligns with your values, needs, and aspirations. It’s about creating a harmonious balance that supports your well-being and growth, not about fitting into a pre-defined mold of success.

These suggestions may feel vague so here are 5 steps to make the process more manageable:

STEP 1: IDENTIFY

1. List Daily Routines: Write down your typical daily routines (e.g., waking up time, workout schedule, meal times).
2. Highlight Rigid Patterns: Mark the patterns you follow rigidly without questioning (e.g., “I must wake up at 5 AM to be productive”).

STEP 2: QUESTION

1. Why This Pattern? For each highlighted pattern, ask yourself:
   • Why do I follow this?
   • Where did this belief come from?
2. Does It Work for Me? Reflect on:
   • How does this pattern affect my productivity, well-being, and happiness?
   • Is it based on my personal experience or external expectations?

STEP 3: EXPERIMENT

1. Choose One Pattern to Change: Select one rigid pattern to experiment with (e.g., workout time).
2. Set a Timeframe: Decide on a trial period (e.g., one week).
3. Implement a Change: Adjust the pattern (e.g., workout in the evening instead of the morning).

STEP 4: REFLECT

1. Track Your Experience: Keep a brief daily journal noting:
   • How you feel
   • Any changes in productivity or well-being
2. Evaluate: At the end of the trial period, review your journal:
   • Did the change have a positive or negative impact?
   • What did you learn about yourself?

STEP 5: ITERATE

1. Adopt or Revert: Decide whether to adopt the new pattern, revert to the old one, or try a different variation.
2. Repeat the Process: Apply this framework to other patterns as needed.

Ultimately, stepping into our own autonomy involves questioning widely accepted practices and courageously exploring what works best for us as individuals.

By engaging in personal experimentation and embracing what truly motivates and inspires us, we can create a fulfilling and meaningful life tailored to our unique preferences and goals.

So, join the 5am Club if it serves you, but remember, it’s your life—design it in a way that makes you thrive.

Take care,

Jennifer