A 30-day log of getting up at 6am, two hours earlier than usual. As a co-founder who works from home, cafes and other public spaces, getting up at 8am means I'm working within 10-15 minutes. (I'm exempt from the rush hour commute and immaculate presentation is rarely necessary.) Besides being an experiment for this issue, I wanted to get more than grad study and work into my day. Needless to say, adjusting my nightly routine required the most work and waking naturally before 6am is far from a habit. The hours I've gained are priceless and hence, worth the effort. -Alex

adjusting my nightly routine required the most work

1 / Success: Not a morning person. Get used to the struggle.

2 / Success: Reading before bed puts me to sleep faster than looking at the ceiling.

3 / Success: Shower at night. Go to bed clean. Bed stays clean. Extra time gained in morning.

4 / Success: Counting backwards to feel sleepy sharpens the mind and wakes you up! Don't make this mistake.

5 / Success: Claim your space in bed. Ask your pet or partner to move over. Everyone will be happier.

6 / Success: Glass of water before bed. They say it's healthy as we lose a lot of water when we sleep at night.

7 / Success: Half a glass of water at night. I say it helps not getting up two hours later...

8 / Success: A glass of hot lemon water in the morning is nicer icy cold. Try it!

9 / Failure: Plan in morning. Disappointing seeing plan & not completing due to a morning migraine.

10 / Success: Late evening walks help wind-down. Clears the head. Relaxes. 30 mins or more works a charm.

11 / Success: Brush teeth before your last activity at night. Nothing wakes me up more.

12 / Success: The morning routine should flow from activity-to-activity. Easy = productive.

13 / Success: Meal plan, especially breakfast. Lost time grabbing something to eat.

14 / Success: Select and lay out clothes, gear and bag for the next day at night. Save time. Reduce stress.

15 / Failure: Strenuous exercise too close to bed really does keep you up longer. Sticking to 6-12 hours before!

16 / Success: Phone (sound) alarm unreliable. Apple Watch vibration alarm: perfect. Is it just novelty?

17 / Failure: Just keep going. Past halfway and only three fails. No reason to quit!

18 / Success: 5:30am phone (sound) alarm and put on Apple Watch. 5:55am Apple Watch vibration alarm. Success.

19 / Success: Find a pillow that supports your neck. Sleep well. Wake up headache-free.

20 / Success: Rest easy - avoid stressful tv at night. That's horror, thriller or a disturbing documentary.

21 / Success: Capitalize on waking early and do something you're passionate about like art, music or reading.

22 / Success: Bulk cook breakfast or choose simple meals, such as toast, yoghurt or cereal. Gain time each morning.

23 / Success: Morning productivity = zero human interruption. Surprise dates / visits just don't occur between 6 & 9.

24 / Failure: Woke at 7. See the positive of still gaining an hour compared to a few weeks ago.

25 / Success: Improve time-to-sleep by reducing blue light and opting for a Kindle or paperback books when reading.

26 / Success: Personal grooming to wind-down is calming and can be used as a mindful activity.

27 / Success: Late night tv is best done in a language unknown with subtitles. It's like background noise.

28 / Success: Counting slow, deep breaths when trying to fall asleep works.

29 / Success: Streamline both morning and evening routines using a schedule or checklist until it sticks.

30 / Success: You don't need to be a morning person to be a morning person.