My Love-Hate Journey to the 5am Club

Hello, fellow solopreneurs! Today, I’ll share my roller-coaster ride with the 5AM Club.

I’ll confess, at first, the idea of waking up at 5am didn’t just make me say “No way”, but it was more like, “No way on Earth!”

So what made me embrace it? Let’s dig into my journey.

I’m a 58-year-old solopreneur, happily married, with our children all grown and gone, leaving behind just our two dogs – Gracie, our 50-pound lab, and Sadie, our 11-year-old Bichon Frise.

My journey with the 5AM club began in early 2020 when I bought a book titled, “The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life”, penned by Robin Sharma.

Now, why did I buy a book that promoted a concept I was so against?

I can’t remember.

All I knew was that the idea of waking up at 5am was a big no for me.

I had been a solopreneur since 2005, and I loved the freedom of going to bed and waking up when I wanted.

Yet, the unpredictability of my routine left me feeling disoriented.

But then, as I started reading the book, I became curious.

The promise of ‘owning my morning and elevating my life’ intrigued me.

So, with a “What’s there to lose?” attitude, I decided to try it out.

Spoiler alert: It was tough!

My first 5am morning was a struggle.

Despite my attempts to get a full night’s sleep, I found myself wide awake till midnight.

Nevertheless, I stuck with it, determined to adapt to this new routine.

Sharma, in his book, shares that habits take about 66 days to form.

They’re hard in the beginning, messy in the middle but beautiful in the end.

He was spot on.

After a couple of weeks of sluggish mornings, I managed to stabilize my bedtime at 9 pm, paving the way for my 5am start.

A hiccup appeared when my wife’s work schedule changed, pushing her return time to past 9pm.

I didn’t want to hit the sack before she got home, so I found myself returning to my old routines.

But something felt off, and as soon as her schedule returned to normal, I bounced back to the 5AM club.

The structure of the 5AM club worked wonders for me.

I turned off screens by 8pm, read my Kindle till 9pm, and then tucked myself in.

The alarm on my Apple Watch Ultra buzzed at 5am, and I was ready for my day, seven days a week.

Why did I choose to stick to this routine?

Because it feels like I have unlocked a secret cheat code for life.

I cherish the serenity of the early hours, which gives me ample time to run a 5K and prepare for my day unhurriedly, even on Sundays when we leave for church and Bible study at 8am.

But I’ll admit – the 5AM club isn’t for everyone.

It demands discipline and consistency.

However, I’d encourage you not to write it off until you’ve tried it.

Don’t let the initial struggle deter you.

Push through it, and you might just find it as empowering as I do.

For solopreneurs like us, the 5AM club could be a game-changer.

It gives us a head start, paving the way for increased productivity and peace of mind.

If you’ve been stuck in a rut or are looking for a change, give it a shot.

Remember Robin Sharma’s words – it’s hard in the beginning, messy in the middle, and gorgeous in the end.

The 5AM club may seem daunting, but the pay-off is significant.

It’s like having an exclusive key to unlock your full potential.

So, why not try it?

With the right mindset and a bit of determination, you too could become a proud member of the 5AM club, just like me.

Happy rising!