Member-only story
Why Making Time for Yourself Every Day Is More Generous Than Selfish
“If you don’t like your life, don’t be hard on yourself — be hard on your routine.” — Andy Traub
I recently re-discovered a book I loved, called The Early to Rise Experience: Learn to Rise Early in 30 Days by Andy Traub.
I was once again re-visiting my desire to wake up early, which triggered my memory of the book that helped start it all for me.
I first learned of Andy Traub through writer Jeff Goins, who talked about him and the massive movement he’s created around waking up early and how it’s changed thousands of people’s lives around the world. When I heard this, I was intrigued. I wanted to know how a book about rising early could be so exciting and enticing that people were actually spending money on it.
As a sucker for anything to do with personal development or self-help, I simply couldn’t resist. When something of that nature is presented to me, I naturally move towards it.
If it has the potential to help me become a better me, I’m in. Plain and simple.
I bought the book after hearing Jeff talk about it a couple of times, and basically never looked back. As soon as I got it in the mail, I went through it and realized that yes, this was something to get excited about.
Wake-Up Call
It spoke right to my heart. It called me out on the excuses I’ve been hiding behind, where I’ve told myself it’s okay to waste my mornings because everyone else is doing it too.
It challenged me to be better and to do better for myself — but also for others. Right now, nobody is benefitting from me wasting my mornings. Here’s why:
When I waste my mornings, I feel like I’ve wasted time. There I am, trying to start my day in a haze of disappointment and regret. I rush around, gulping down coffee and getting dressed at the same time. I feel frazzled and unsettled, like I haven’t done something I need to do. The “should haves” start to kick into high gear, and I feel irritated.
