Start of the Early Bird Challenge [How to be an Original]
Today is the last day of July, the goal-free month. Tomorrow is August, and the start of one of the biggest habit changes I have ever undertaken. Tomorrow is the first day of adopting the habit of waking up early, I named it the Early Bird Challenge.
In a previous article I wrote about the reasons why I want to be an early bird. There are a lot of benefits to changing, however during the change these benefits are not there yet (certainly not in full effect). So during this month I need determination and support. And to support me during this month, I will join Leo’s August Challenge, over at Zen Habits. And my spouse of course supports me as well, and I empowered her to help me (by being grateful for the occasional poke in the ribs around 5am).
Preparation
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.
- Alexander Graham Bell
Going cold-turkey is not an option, as my internal clock needs to adjust to the new time-settings. It’s kind of like jetlag, but then the other way around. So in preparation, I need to know what I want to achieve (goal), how I’m going to get there (schedule) and what I need to make it happen (tools).
Goal:
- Waking up at 4:30 am daily (yes even in the weekends)
Schedule:
- 6:00 (August 1-5)
- 5:30 (August 6-12)
- 5:00 (August 13-19)
- 4:30 (August 20-31)
Tools:
- Silent alarm-clock
- Coffee-machine
- Daily check-in to Leo’s August Challenge
The schedule is setup in such a way that a new time starts on a Monday, which already is an existing marker in the week. And on Mondays I work from home, so when the change is hard on me, I have some flexibility to adjust during the day.
The silent alarm clock needs a little explanation. As this habit change is meant only for me, and not for my spouse, I needed to find a way to be woken by an alarm clock without waking her up. Sound wakes us both (abruptly) and light wakes us both too (be it gradually). So I had my mind set on an alarm that only vibrates.
I know they exist, as people with hearing disabilities often use this as an alarm. My cell phone has this function, but not without sound. So I made a mp3 with a minute of silence, and use that as the sound signal. All I have to do is to put this under my pillow and it wakes me up, and only me.
Great expectations
If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.
- Norman Vincent Peale
I have been visualizing myself waking up early for a couple of weeks. My expectations for the benefits are:
- Better rested.
I expect that this habit will ultimately result in more sleep, as compared to now. - More family time.
I explained this in my previous article - More appropriate time for exercise.
Exercising in the morning energizes you. Exercising at night energizes you as well…but then you can’t really use that if you plan to go to bed and actually get some sleep. - Better focus for blog writing.
Time available in the morning is not so fluid as at night. At night I can choose to delay going to bed to get an article done. This is an advantage, but this also leaves room for interruptions during writing (and I allow them too easy). In the morning I have to stay focussed. My family waking up acts as the deadline then, and that is not something I control.
Sweet 
Weekly updates
I will check-in daily at Leo’s forums. On my blog I will post a weekly progress report with my experiences along the way. This is going to be exciting, but I can sure use your support! Motivational comments, or e-mails or in whatever form you like are greatly appreciated 
Original post here: Lodewijkvdb
Comments: