Start Early

Start Early - Dealing with a Shortage of Time

Why do you start early and be an early riser? Is it overrated?

My habits for the past year have been left wanting due to the change in my work schedule. I have moved from the corporate world to the entrepreneurial world and there has been a shift. I have been going to work later than when I was working for someone else, which is bad.

The past few months, I did a change and which has worked so far. I have been more productive as I start my day earlier and get more done in a day without feeling rushed and stressed out. More importantly, it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I do not feel there is a shortage of time anymore.

So how do you start early? And is dealing with a shortage of time easy?

1. Give Up TV
This is what worked for me. Everything worth having is worth sacrificing something for. In my case, I used to tell myself TV is my only form of entertainment after a long day. But I find myself going to bed late and I wake up late. All too often, I do not even finish a program. I flip channels. Not a very productive activity. So, I gave it up a few months ago. Go to bed early and start early the next day.

2. Sleep Early
Sleeping early to start early is easy. As I mentioned, just give up what has been taking your time at night. There must be something that can be sacrificed without much loss to your lifestyle. In my case, what do I lose by giving up on TV? If the internet sucks up your time, then give that up. Go to sleep early.

3. What Gets You Up?
Find it tough waking up in the morning? Give yourself a challenge or a question you ask yourself when you start reasoning why you need that extra 15 or 30 minutes sleep. What is it that gets you up in the morning? It’s a flip of what keeps you awake at night. Is it a – “I need to be early at work so I can do more, impress my boss and get a promotion?” – as lame as that one sounds but who’s to judge?

Here is how starting early will help you in dealing with a shortage of time.

Less Noise
There is significantly less noise early in the morning. You can read, meditate, pray, exercise and do all those things you do not find time for in the evening or at night. It could be some things you have wanted to do but never found time. Well, here is it. That extra one to two hours. It makes a huge difference. It makes you feel like you have not cheated on your New Year resolutions this year. Invariably, most of the excuses for not being able to fulfill your new year resolutions is the lack of time.
More Focus
Because there is less noise, you can focus better too. You can write a lot more than when there is noise, or unwanted noise. For example, kids running around. You get to read more pages in quietness. If you choose to do some office work from home before you commute, you will be surprised how much you can get done.
Breakfast
I am a breakfast person, so being able to eat breakfast in a no rush manner is a bonus for me. If you are not a breakfast person, try it. Have something to eat in the morning. It will change your day. The benefits of breakfast are well known. It gives you energy and perks up your day.
Keep To Your Schedule
When you start early you get to keep to your schedule, you don't have to look at the schedule and decide which appointment you can cancel today or what excuse you can give to miss the appointment. Starting early is an excellent way in dealing with a shortage of time.
No Rush For The Rest Of The Day
One of the biggest benefits is not feeling rushed for the rest of the day. There is a domino effect if you start late. Everything gets pushed and things needs to be rescheduled. Also, not taking into consideration other people rescheduling things with you. Unexpected surprises keep you stressed.

Start early, it has worked for me for months now in my dealing with shortage of time. I get more done, lessen my stress and I feel more accomplished. Try it and tell me how it worked for you. Ask yourself, what gets you up in the morning? I am beginning to like the question more than what keeps you up at night. Don’t waste whatever time you have saved from waking early. Some days I have caught myself wasting the two hours away from time robbers because I had that extra two hours towards the later part of the day.

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For more articles related on why start early for effective time management, click here.

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