Does getting up early make you more successful?

Photo by Tristan Colangelo on Unsplash

Is there a link between getting up early and personal success? Take a look at these facts:

In 2008, Texas University conducted a study and found that early risers consistently maintained a one-point advantage in GPA over night owls. 

Another study showed that people who get up early are less likely to procrastinate. 

A doctor from the University of London found that getting up at 6 a.m. (or earlier) can make your day less stressful because you’ll get more done. 

Not convinced yet? 

Read on.

A good attitude, better health, and improved physical appearance are among many advantages linked to early birds. There is overwhelming evidence that getting up early is worth the sacrifice. Here are some other benefits to consider:

According to Harvard Business Review, people who get up early are more proactive and are likely to succeed at anything they do.

Another study showed that being a morning person can make you less likely to become depressed.


But getting out of bed at the crack of dawn won’t help if you don’t use that extra time wisely. Instead of hitting snooze, get up and make these four habits part of your morning:


PRAY
When was the last time you thanked God for all of your blessings first thing in the morning? Rather than getting up with just enough time for a quick shower and a cup of coffee, spend some quality time with God. Do this and you’re more likely to have a better attitude throughout the rest of the day. 

Jesus got early to pray, too. 

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” 
(Mark 1:35) 


READ THE BIBLE
After you pray, take time to read scripture. Even five minutes a day makes a difference. Keep doing this and you’ll soon start to understand the life-changing power of God’s word.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “...the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

Reading the Bible is key to learning about God’s character - who He is and how He works in our lives. When we understand more about God, we're more comfortable trusting Him to lead us.


EXERCISE
Most of us could all use a little more exercise in our routine, and morning is the perfect time to get it. If you want to maintain consistency, your chances will drastically improve by getting it out of the way early in the day. The Bible instructs us to take care of bodies.

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
(1 Corinthians:19-20, emphasis mine)


PLAN YOUR DAY
Set your priorities and use your calendar to time block. This will ensure you have more time to get them done. Completing tasks like checking email, Facebook, returning phone calls and running errands before you get to work will free up a lot of extra time later in the day. Planning is a key to success in all phases of life.

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
(Proverbs 21:5)


Try getting up one hour earlier every day for thirty days and implement the four habits above. Then, come back and leave a comment to tell us what changes you have seen.