Early Bird VS Night Owl

It is commonly known that those who are huge successes in business set up a strict routine when they kick off their day nice and early in the mornings. So when and how do you start your day?

Your answers to these questions can prove to be the difference between being a success and just coasting in your job. The bad news for the late riser is that science has identified that you are doomed to fall behind in the workplace as a result of favouring the late nights.

The likes of Apple CEO Tim Cook, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and several other big names in business all stick to an early morning start which gives them the opportunity to get ahead with their working day.

Did You Know?

By waking up an hour earlier than you would normally do would give you an extra 15 days in your year! That’s crazy, we know. But, given all that extra time to get on with your work will push you onto the next level of productivity. With Tim Cook (4:30am start) and Anna Wintour (5:45am start), both use their early mornings to check their emails to get them out the way before entering the office. Also, the pair takes the opportunity to engage in exercise with Cook hitting the treadmill at 5am and Wintour plays tennis at 5:45am.

A survey conducted by Christoph Randler, a Biology Professor at the University of Education in Germany took 367 college students and observed their behaviours and performance. The outcome of the study saw that the students who had a regular routine of rising early in the morning were geared for success compared to those that peaked in the evenings.

So What Does It Mean?

The benefits of an early start to the day a vast, spanning from becoming more proactive to leading a healthier and happier lifestyle. With the examples of Cook and Wintour, taking the time to exercise in the early mornings before any family distraction begin.

In regards to health compared to the late riser, the early bird consumes fewer calories. 248 calories to be exact! Also they are less likely to eat fast foods but, they have the motivation to exercise and are more proactive at work.

Further benefits that have been identified are that the early birds are less distracted and are able to press on with their workload. This is mostly down to them being in the office earlier than their co-workers. In addition, a morning person is more likely to self-report higher levels of happiness which benefits their outlook on their work and private life.

Is There Time To Change?

The answer is simple; of course there is and to do so all you have to do is restructure your mornings so that you can too reap the rewards. Starting by setting an earlier alarm! Just be sure that you don’t feel the urge to climb back into bed. To combat that, a little trick that helps you get out of bed and into your morning routine is by moving your alarm away from your bed. Far away! If you have to get up to turn if off you are then more likely to jump in the start exercising, shower, have breakfast and get ready for the day ahead of you.

Balancing you diet will give you that extra edge, so be sure to start your day off with a good breakfast and you don’t have to compromise your morning coffee. If you really need it go for it!