If you’re anything like me you probably have tons of ideas and plans that you have a hard time following through on.
Sleep definitely falls into that that category for me.
Getting adequate sleep.
Waking up on time.
Going to bed on time.
All of these things are hurdles to the bigger goals that I dream about.
I am the most productive when I get up early. I love getting an early start to my day and knocking out most of my task list before 9 AM. I feel most accomplished and successful when I do this. My confidence goes through the roof.
Unfortunately I allow everything to get in the way of me going to bed early and hitting the snooze button an ungodly amount of times in the morning.
Distraction. Busyness. Procrastination. Boredom.
You name it, it has probably stopped me from going to bed early.
Today that is going to change.
Today the bad habits will be broken and the new habits will take form.
Now, I want to be clear. I am not looking to Jocko Willink (as much as I would love to adopt his habits with a snap of my fingers). I am trying to do what is best for me (and for my wife since she will be joining me).
I want to make sure I encourage you to do what is best for you. Sleep is vital to optimal performance. Minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night has to be nonnegotiable.
You want to see your productivity go through the roof? Get up early and go to bed early. Get your rest while other people are procrastinating and wake up while others are fighting to go back to sleep.
This is my goal: Go to sleep by 9:30 PM at the latest so that I can wake up no later than 5 AM.
This the plan:
1. Eliminate Distraction
It’s time to eliminate the infinite scroll. Instagram and Facebook set it up so that you never feel like you have reached the bottom of your social media feed. On your feeble attempt to reach the bottom, you get bombarded with every advertisement tailored to your specific needs and desires because of the social media wire tap algorithms.
How do you eliminate the scroll. Phone is down or off at 9 PM and the only thing you’re allowed to read is a book. Distraction eliminated.
2. Beat Down Busyness
I always find something good and productive to do at the time that I should be getting ready for bed. It could be cleaning the kitchen, washing the baby’s bottles, go through email, etc.
It’s time to get those things done at the earlier part of the day and in some cases, leave them for the next day.
It won’t kill you to leave things for the next day. You’re perfectionism will kill you.
Get them done in smaller doses throughout the day and leave the unnecessary for the next morning. Your body and your mind will thank you.
3. Fight Procrastination
Procrastination can look different for people. In a sense it is another form of busyness. But in reality it is just a nicer way to describe laziness.
For my wife and I, Netflix and Disney+, are how we procrastinate. I mean we even have it on in the background while we are stuck in our infinite scroll or finalizing work.
It’s time to fight it. For us, the TV and any electronic that is not a cell phone will be off by 8:30 PM. That is about 45-60 minutes after our almost 8 month old daughter goes to sleep. That is more than enough time to enjoy a show and finalize things before the next day.
Procrastination won’t kill you quickly, but it will wear you down until you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of unfinished tasks and unhealthy habits.
4. Embrace Boredom
Yes, I said it. Boredom at night is a good thing.
As someone who loves being productive and is always looking for more ways to be productive, this bothers me. I hate the idea of being bored. Every minute of every day I need to do something.
But you know what I can’t do if I am always trying to do something? Sleep. I can’t sleep. My mind races on what needs to be done and captain hindsight reminds me of what I should have done.
Embracing boredom means accepting that the day is done, it is time to wind down and that the rest of the list can wait until tomorrow. Turn off your mind, slow down, and practice gratitude of the gift of life you were given that day.
I hope you join my wife and I as we work towards our new goal of going to bed early, waking up early and producing even better content.
Jadner Lugo's Blog 