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Identifying the Real Enemy: Time Management Challenges
Everyone needs sleep except your enemy. They are always one step ahead of you and want you to fail. To win, you need to know how your enemy thinks. So, let’s see who the real enemy is here and what the benefits of waking up early are.
Is it your colleague sitting across from you? Is it the bus driver in the morning? Your spouse? Messy hair? A different pair of socks? Or the time?
Hmm? Eventually, we will get the time machine, but at the moment, it is not possible to go back and find a few more minutes. So we must find a way to get those extra minutes or hours. But how? First, we need to see what a typical 24-hour day looks like. We can divide it into three segments: Productive hours, Relaxation/Enjoyment hours, and Sleep hours.
Only a few people worldwide do not have to work every day. These are well-established people in their fields; some probably steal “our” minutes to enjoy and relax. On the other hand, some ordinary people have to work to pay their bills, food, rent, etc. Of course, our goal is to work less and relax more. But at the moment it is not possible. We still have to find those extra minutes and defeat our enemies. And again, who are we supposed to fight?
After hard work, we need time for ourselves, whatever that means. But how we use it. Some people spend time with family or friends, go to the gym, or take the dog for a walk. But many people spend the rest of the day in a dark room with a phone or laptop, watching thousands of unnecessary videos and stuff they won’t remember two days later. You should watch that great new film or TV show you love, but there must be some limits. Save your free time during the day lying in bed watching some meaningful things. Save only a few minutes; if you do not save it, it is lost forever, and no one can return it.
During the day, we fight for minutes like free divers for air. There are so many distractions around us. Phones, TV, advertisements, cars, trains, clubs… But what about sleep time?
Many studies show that 7 to 9 hours a night is enough for a good night’s sleep. And a good night’s sleep is everything. With good sleep, your day is better. So how can we save some time during sleep? We cannot. But we can create a routine to wake up before everyone else. Do you remember the last time you woke up early at 05:00? Do you remember? What did you hear?
If you live in the countryside, you won’t hear anything or see anyone. If you live in the city, you may listen to a car in the distance and some people going to work. But nothing around you. Silence, or an old mechanical clock on the wall going tic-tac. I assume you have not turned on the TV or played music on your phone. If you have, the enemy can hear you again. We have to be sneaky.
Scenario Analysis: A Tale of Two Mornings
Let’s see the following two scenarios of how this helps us in our battle:
Scenario 1: The Rushed Morning
As the clock strikes midnight, you finally call it a night, hoping for a restful sleep to prepare for the day ahead. However, when the piercing sound of the alarm rudely interrupts your dreams, you groggily glance at the clock and realize it’s already 6:40 am. Panic sets in as you leave bed, cursing your late-night activities.
In a hurry, you stumble into the bathroom to brush your teeth, barely registering the reflection staring back at you with tired eyes. Rushing back to the bedroom, you hastily grab the clothes you wore yesterday, not bothering to check if they match or are presentable. On the way out, you have just enough time to say, “Sorry to wake you up early” before setting off to break the Olympic 100m record.
With adrenaline coursing through your veins, you bolt out of the door and sprint towards the bus stop, your heart pounding with each step. The digital display mocks you as you round the corner just in time to see the bus pulling away, leaving you stranded on the sidewalk, cursing your luck.
Somehow, you get to the company, but the meeting has already started, and your colleague sitting across from you in the office is now sitting next to the big boss.
As the day drags on, you realize you haven’t had a moment to yourself, let alone a sip of coffee. Desperate for a caffeine fix, you shuffle towards the cafeteria, but as you get into the lift to the lobby, you notice in the mirror that your hair looks more like a bird’s nest than anything human. As you fumble for change to pay for your coffee, a couple of coins spill from your hand, clattering loudly against the floor.
You bend down to collect the scattered coins, only to realize that your embarrassment is far from over. Glancing down, you notice that your feet are adorned with mismatched socks, a silent testament to the chaos of your morning. With a defeated sigh, you mutter to yourself, “I did it again,”
After a disastrous day at work, you can only think about bed. When you walk in, you realize you are alone and there is a cold dinner waiting on the stove and a sticky note on the fridge with the message: “Throw away rubbish if you have time”.
Scenario 2: The Early Riser
As the day draws closer, you complete your tasks and retire to bed at 9:30 pm.
Upon awakening, you are greeted by a usual sensation—silence. Drawing in a deep breath, you glance at the table clock to discover that it’s 4:57 a.m., a mere three minutes before your alarm is set to ring. With practiced ease, you silence the alarm and start your day.
While brushing your teeth in the bathroom, you turn on the shower, preparing for the day ahead. As you step out of the shower, you notice a stubborn strand of hair refusing to cooperate. With a few deft maneuvers, you manage to tame it, a small victory in the morning routine.
While you indulge in freshly brewed coffee, savor the best porridge you’ve made all week. Between bites, you review the documentation for the impending meeting, finding everything in order.
On the sofa lies a new shirt, meticulously chosen for the occasion. Adjusting the cuffs with a hint of swagger, you can’t help but feel a sense of confidence akin to a confident, famous spy. “Bond, James Bond,” echoes as you prepare to face the day.
After you make one more cup of coffee, you tread lightly toward the bedroom as your wife sleeps peacefully. Leaning in, you gently kiss her cheek, whispering that the coffee awaits her. She stirs slightly, murmuring words of anticipation for your return.
Opting for the early bus, you arrive at the company and find it empty. The automatic lights flicker to life as you make your way to the office, the only sound echoing your footsteps. Suddenly, the silence is broken by the arrival of your boss, whose smile stretches from ear to ear upon seeing you. “Now I’m calm,” he exclaims, relieved to have your dependable presence.
After a successful meeting and completing your tasks, it’s time to head home. The dimmed lights and aroma of savory pasta greet you as you enter the door. Carbonara, your favorite dish. Carbonara is a traditional Italian dish made with guanciale, eggs, parmes… Sorry, there are some different blogs.
When you enter the kitchen, what happens next is a tale best left untold. All I can say is that during foreplay, your wife realizes you have two different socks on, but who cares?
Summary of our scenarios
Let us summarise these two scenarios. Finally, let us see who the enemy is here. Both scenarios are extreme situations. But if we find ourselves somewhere in the middle, we should have a good day. Ultimately, what would be the difference if we summarised these two scenarios? Time!
But time is not our enemy. Time is our weapon, and the only thing we can use against our enemy, and our enemy is the world. Everyone and everything is against us. Every problem is solvable; we need time.
Waking up early before everyone else is an excellent way to get more benefits. In silence, you can summarise your task, check everything for the day, stretch, or do 15 minutes of yoga to get you going. A cold shower is a good routine to implement in your early wake-up. If you want to read more about it, visit my post Cold Shower—Get out of a safe zone and read more about its benefits.
Strategic Benefits of Waking Up Early
Let’s look at some other benefits of waking up early:
1. Maximised productivity
The early morning hours, mainly between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., provide a serene environment conducive to deep work and focused productivity. With fewer distractions and interruptions, people who wake up early at 5 a.m. can quickly and purposefully tackle their most important tasks. Whether completing work projects, exercising, or engaging in personal development activities, early risers are often ahead of the game before the rest of the world even wakes up.
2. Improved Mental Clarity and Focus
The serenity of the early morning provides a sanctuary for the mind to awaken gradually and without abrupt disturbances. By starting the day at 5 am, individuals give themselves the gift of mental clarity and focus, allowing them to approach their tasks with a sense of calm and purpose. This heightened awareness can lead to better decision-making, increased creativity, and greater well-being.
3. Enhanced Physical Health
Waking up at 5 am provides ample time for exercise and self-care, setting the tone for a healthy and active lifestyle. Whether going for a morning run, practicing yoga, or hitting the gym, early risers can prioritize their physical health before the demands of the day set in. Additionally, starting the day with a nutritious breakfast and ample hydration can fuel the body for optimal daily performance.
4. Increased Opportunities for Personal Growth
The early morning hours offer a golden opportunity for personal growth and self-improvement. Whether reading, journaling, meditating, or pursuing a hobby, individuals who wake up at 5 am have the luxury of investing in themselves before the hustle and bustle of daily life takes over. By dedicating time to personal development early in the day, individuals can cultivate new skills, expand their knowledge, and nurture their passions.
5. Enhanced Time Management Skills
The benefits of waking up early at 5 am require discipline and commitment, qualities that spill over into other areas of life, including time management. By starting the day early, individuals develop a sense of control over their schedule and priorities, allowing them to allocate their time more effectively and efficiently. This heightened sense of time management can lead to greater productivity, reduced stress, and a greater sense of accomplishment.
6. Improved Mood and Well-being
Research has shown that early risers experience higher life satisfaction and overall well-being than those who wake up late. By starting the day at 5 am, individuals can ease into their day with intention and purpose, setting a positive tone that can ripple throughout the rest of the day. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment that comes from accomplishing tasks early in the morning can boost confidence and self-esteem
7. Greater Sense of Discipline and Resilience
Waking up at 5 am requires discipline and resilience that can have far-reaching benefits in other areas of life. By mastering the art of early rising, individuals cultivate a mindset of determination and perseverance, essential for achieving long-term goals and overcoming obstacles. This sense of discipline can translate into tremendous success in career, relationships, and personal endeavors.
Conclusion about the benefits of waking up early
Every day is a challenge, and everybody thinks you are an outsider. Your task is to show them that they are wrong. And the only way to fight them is to find more time than they have. So why don’t you take this chance? It is free.
The only stake is precious time, and we all have limited resources. Use it wisely.
Everybody is our enemy, so try to be on the same team as yourself!!!
So why don’t you start today and grab all the benefits of waking up early?