If you are a frequent listener to the Passion Struck podcast, you have likely heard me talk about my morning routine, which includes waking up at 5 a.m. daily. I do it to have a head start on the day and gain an extra edge in life. I find many benefits associated with joining this exclusive 5 AM club — from increased productivity and improved focus to better habits and a more positive outlook.
“The 5 am club isn’t just about getting up early; it’s about rising with intentionality and purpose — to use those precious morning hours for something meaningful.” — Robin Sharma
Kristin, one of our regular listeners, requested that I create an episode/blog post on the 5 AM club, including details on how to implement it, my personal experience with it, tips for making it a successful venture, and the various benefits it provides. So if you’re looking to make a change in your daily routine, take some time to explore what the 5 AM club has to offer. It’s not for everyone, but those who have taken on the challenge of waking up at 5 a.m. every day know that it can be life-changing.
Let’s dive into why so many people swear by starting their days before sunrise — it might just become your new favorite morning ritual too.
Why I Tried the 5 AM Club
When a friend told me about the “5 AM Club”, I have to admit that I was very skeptical. At the time, waking up at 6:00 a.m. felt early enough for me. However, as I kept hearing about the club and learning the long list of successful people who were part of it, I became curious and decided to read The 5 AM Club to understand the hype.
The farther I got into the book, the more I realized I wasn’t spending enough quality time alone with my thoughts; and I wasn’t intentionally approaching my days. I had been relying on a few hours in the evening to unwind, but this time wasn’t actually restorative. Instead, I stayed up longer than I should have, doing unproductive things. I felt constantly exhausted and resentful of myself for not making better use of my valuable time.
By the time I finished the book, I was convinced of its benefits and decided to try it.
What is the 5 AM Club?
The 5 AM Club is a concept popularized by author and self-improvement guru Robin Sharma (who I interviewed on the podcast in episode 209). The idea behind the club is to wake up at 5 a.m. each day and use this quiet time to focus on your personal well-being through activities like exercise, meditation, journaling, and continual learning. The goal is to start your day by fueling your mind, body, and soul leading to personal growth, productivity, and intentional living. By doing this, you can make the most of your mornings and create an environment encouraging success.
Sharma says, “The 5 am club isn’t just about getting up early; it’s about rising with intentionality and purpose — to use those precious morning hours for something meaningful.”
He believes that if we take advantage of these moments when our minds are clear and alert, we can accomplish more in less time than at any other part of the day.
The 5 AM Club is a lifestyle choice embraced by many to help them reach their goals and maximize productivity. By following an optimal morning routine, you can first-hand experience the benefits of joining the club. Next, I’ll discuss how you create an optimal morning routine and my experience starting and sustaining the 5 AM Club.
Creating the Optimal Morning Routine
Waking up early and having a few moments to yourself can help you set your intentions, allowing you to focus on what matters most in life. The routine outlined in the book consists of 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of journaling and meditation, and 20 minutes of education or reading.
However, I have found through practice the optimal 5 AM Club morning routine typically includes the following six elements:
- Waking up at 5 AM: The foundation of the 5 AM Club is waking up early and consistently, as this allows for dedicated time before the rest of the day begins. What matters most is having an intentional approach. It’s essential to have a clear plan in place for how you want your day to unfold, regardless of when you rise. Although, I am a strong advocate for waking up early and believe it can give you a significant advantage over others if you embrace the power of waking up before the morning sun.
- Exercise: Starting the day with physical activity can help boost energy levels, increase focus, and release endorphins.
- Meditation or mindfulness: Taking time to calm the mind and practice mindfulness can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase focus for the rest of the day.
- Personal development: This could include reading, writing, learning, or practicing a skill. This time can be used to improve one’s self and set the tone for a productive day.
- Planning and goal-setting: Taking time to plan the day ahead, setting goals, and prioritizing tasks can help you stay organized and focused.
- Gratitude practice: Starting the day with gratitude and positivity can improve overall well-being and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
My Personal Experience with the 5 AM Club
After hearing about the power of this exclusive club, I decided to try it.
How I Got Started and My Initial Struggles
Initially, I strictly adhered to the routine outlined in the book: a 20-minute workout, followed by 20 minutes of meditation and journaling, and concluding with 20 minutes of learning/reading. To my surprise, I felt amazing — I had more energy and focus throughout the day, and my productivity noticeably increased. Additionally, I felt proud of myself for waking up early and sticking to the routine.
But I will admit that at first, it was hard to get out of bed in the morning, especially when all I wanted to do was stay in bed for just a few more minutes. After a few weeks, I found myself tired and dreading having to go to be so early, and I started to slip in my adherence to the schedule.
Round Two of Implementing the 5 AM Club
I decided to restart my routine with a plan that I was excited about. Each morning, as soon as my alarm rang, I would start my day by drinking a glass of water with digestive enzymes, taking my dog for a walk, working out, meditating for 5 to 10 minutes, journaling, practicing gratitude, and reading while enjoying my coffee.
Adopting this new routine meant making some adjustments to my lifestyle. I now go to bed before 10 p.m., which requires winding down by 9 p.m., which limits my weeknight activities. I also get tired earlier in the evenings, so I must ensure I complete tasks requiring intense focus earlier in the day. Finally, I have to ensure I have everything prepared for the next morning, the night before, to make the most of my early hours.
To keep things interesting, I varied my workout routine. Some days I would hit a spin class, while other days, I would lift weights, go for a nature hike, ride my bike to catch the morning sunrise or practice yoga. On weekends, I made slight modifications to my routine to allow for some extra time to spend with my family, friends, and partner should I choose to stay up later on Friday or Saturday nights.
Once I got into a routine, however, things started to change for me. Waking up early gave me an extra hour or two each day that allowed me to focus on what mattered most — my goals and dreams. Having this spare time also made it easier for me to be productive throughout the day as well as plan ahead so that nothing would slip through the cracks later on.
To stay motivated and consistent with my routine, I set small daily goals that were achievable within an hour or two each morning before work began, such as preparing for my podcast interviews. This kept me focused and gave me something tangible to look forward to every day, which helped keep my motivation levels high even when things got tough.
Now let’s explore the best starting point for you to put the 5 AM Club into action.
Where Do You Start the 5 AM Club?
It can be daunting if you’re looking to join the 5 AM Club. You may have heard about its benefits and want to try it but don’t know where to start. It’s important to remember that joining the 5 AM Club is not an overnight process — it takes time and dedication.
Besides waking at 5 a.m., the most critical thing to maximizing the effectiveness of your morning routine is tailoring the six essential elements in a way that fits you, your preferences, and whatever helps get your mind and body ready for the day ahead. Doing this consistently will help form healthy habits over time, making waking up earlier each day easier.
What Happens if You Fail on Your First Attempt?
Failing at something doesn’t mean you should give up altogether. If your first attempt at joining the 5 AM Club isn’t successful, take some time, like I did, to reflect on what went wrong and adjust accordingly. Remember that this is a journey with bumps along the way — so don’t get discouraged.
Why Should You Try It?
Waking up early has been proven to improve productivity levels throughout the day as well as increase focus and clarity of thought. Joining the 5 AM Club can also help with habit formation by creating structure in your daily routine, which helps create positive habits over time.
I have found the 5 AM Club is an incredible way to gain focus and clarity, but it takes dedication and consistency.
Key Takeaway: Joining the 5 AM Club can help increase productivity, focus, and clarity of thought. It takes dedication and time to adjust to the routine, but it’s worth it in the end, as you’ll be able to form positive habits.
Let’s explore common issues people face when implementing the 5 AM Club and how to overcome them.
Strategies for Overcoming Challenges in the 5 AM Club
Joining the club requires dedication and discipline, but it is possible. Many people have implemented it, and millions of readers worldwide have read this book. You can make your early morning routine more successful with the right strategies.
Here are some tips I learned for overcoming challenges in the 5 AM Club.
One of the most common challenges faced by members of the 5 AM Club is lack of sleep and fatigue. Waking up at such an early hour can be difficult, especially if you need to acclimate to the change. It takes time for your body to adjust and get into a routine, so don’t be discouraged if you feel tired in the beginning. To combat this issue, start by setting realistic goals for yourself — such as waking up 15 minutes earlier each week until you reach your desired wake-up time — then gradually increase them over time until they become habits. Or, try taking short naps during the day when needed and progressively moving up your bedtime.
Another challenge many people need help with is sticking to their morning routine. It can be hard to stay motivated and consistent with something new, like waking up at 5 a.m. every day, but it’s important to remember why you started in the first place and keep pushing forward even when it gets tough. Set small goals for yourself each week or month that will help keep you on track toward achieving your ultimate goal. Additionally, prepare everything you need the night before so that all you have to do when it’s time to wake up is get out of bed. This could include laying out clothes for your workout so they’re ready when you awake.
Feeling overwhelmed or burned out is another obstacle many members of the 5 AM Club have experienced at some point in their journey. This often happens when we take on too much without giving ourselves enough time for rest and recovery between tasks or activities. Remember to reward yourself after completing tasks successfully, whether it’s taking a break from studying or working or treating yourself with something special like coffee or ice cream — this will help keep motivation levels high even when things get tough.
Although the 5 AM Club can be difficult to sustain, it is possible with dedication and determination. By understanding common challenges faced by members of the 5 AM Club, such as lack of sleep and fatigue, difficulty sticking to a routine, and feeling overwhelmed or burned out, you can begin to develop strategies for overcoming these challenges.
As Robin Sharma wrote in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.”
Key Takeaway: To make the most of the 5 AM Club, prioritize sleep and rest, set realistic goals and expectations, and take regular breaks throughout the day. This will help ensure maximum motivation and success.
Now let’s explore the benefits of the 5 AM Club.
The Benefits of the 5 AM Club.
Since I joined the 5 AM Club, the experience has been life-changing. To my surprise, I now look forward to waking up at 5 a.m. each day. A few years ago, this idea would have been unfathomable to me, but the benefits of the club are undeniable. I have noticed a significant improvement in my physical and mental well-being, as well as increased calmness and focus. The club has also allowed me to make huge improvements to my health, relationships, and overall work performance.
Here are just a few of them.
Promotes Intentional Living:
Joining the 5 AM Club is a powerful way to start my day with intention. It’s about setting aside time for myself and focusing on what I want to accomplish each day. Taking control of my mornings can help me create more balance in my life, allowing me to be more productive and fulfilled throughout the day.
I have more energy throughout the day because I get a head start on my tasks before the hustle and bustle of my days takes root. Additionally, since there are fewer distractions during this time period (no emails, texting, social media, or phone calls), it’s easier to stay focused on what needs to be done without feeling overwhelmed or burned out later in the day.
Allows for Balance
The 5 AM Club helps me find that balance between work and life by giving me time to focus on our goals without sacrificing my personal life. By taking this extra hour or two each morning, I can set myself up for success while still having enough energy left over for family, friends, hobbies, etc.
Helps with Habit Formation
I found creating an intentional morning routine can be incredibly helpful when forming new habits, as it provides structure and clarity throughout the process. Having a consistent approach allows me to develop healthier habits more quickly because I know exactly what needs to be done each morning without needing any extra motivation or willpower from myself. Plus, having something specific planned out makes it much easier than figuring out how you want your mornings to look every single day.
Increases Productivity – All Day Long
By waking up early and implementing a routine, I am able to increase focus, energy levels, and motivation throughout the day. Dedicating the early morning hours for personal development can free up time later in my day for work and other responsibilities. I feel more organized, focused, and accomplished, positively impacting my productivity.
Improved Mental Health and Well-Being
It helps to increase mental health and well-being due to having dedicated “me” time. Studies have shown that people who wake up early tend to experience less stress and anxiety than those who stay up late into the night. Early risers often report feeling more energized during their days which leads to better moods overall. Additionally, having an optimized morning routine helps create structure in our lives, which is essential for mental health and well-being.
When I wake up early, I give myself more time throughout my days, which allows me to manage my schedule better and get things done faster without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by deadlines. I also become more mindful about how I spend my time, as every minute counts when working on my business or tackling personal projects at home.
Enhances Sleep Quality
Lastly, the 5 AM Club also helps to improve sleep quality since it allows for earlier bedtimes which helps regulate circadian rhythms. I find that by starting my day earlier, I have more time for self-care and self-improvement activities, which can help reduce stress and anxiety and lead to better sleep.
Conclusion — Don’t underestimate the value of self-prioritization
I have found that the 5 AM Club is a great way to set intentions for the day, form healthy habits and boost productivity. It helps by providing structure, clarity, and consistency in my morning routine, which leads to improved focus and energy throughout the day. Benefits I’ve observed include: — Improved sleep quality — Increased motivation — Greater self-awareness & control over emotions — More time for personal development activities.
It is a great way to kickstart your day and set yourself up for success. As I have explained, it can be challenging, but you can make it work with the right strategies. Whether you’re looking to increase productivity or just get an early start on the day, joining the 5 AM Club could be a great choice. With dedication and perseverance, you’ll soon find that waking up at 5 a.m. will become second nature.
It is important to remember that the 5 AM Club is about embracing self-love and self-care. This means taking care of yourself first so that you have the energy needed to take care of others around you and pursue your passions outside work hours. Taking some “me” time in the morning allows you to recharge your batteries before tackling whatever comes next during the rest of your days.
Lastly, my experience with the 5 AM Club has been a journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. Despite some initial struggles, I have seen the many benefits that come from joining this club. I’m excited to hear from others who tried it and their experience implementing the program.
Where to Go From Here
Check out Passion Struck with John R. Miles if you’re looking for more ideas on getting motivated and staying that way, one of the 50 most inspirational podcasts of 2022.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform.
