Despite what social media would have us believe, most mornings at 5 AM aren't Instagram-worthy.
There's no dramatic sunrise moment where I leap out of bed feeling inspired. More often, it's dark outside my windows, I'm groggy, and there's a solid 30 seconds where I seriously reconsider my life choices.
After years of pre-dawn waking, I've come to understand that early rising isn't really about mornings at all. It’s about creating competitive advantages that compound daily: clearer thinking before decision fatigue sets in, control over your schedule before it controls you, and the kind of self-discipline that influences everything else you do.
The benefits aren't immediate or obvious. Sometimes it feels like self-punishment! But the gains are substantial enough that I've protected this habit through demanding seasons of business growth, family chaos, and intense training cycles. Here's what happens in those pre-dawn hours that makes the difference:
5 Benefits of Getting Up Before Dawn
#1 – The First Hour Belongs to You
When you're a father of five with a demanding career, uninterrupted time is rare. Between 5 and 6 AM, nobody needs anything from me. No emails. No urgent decisions. No carpools or crisis management. It's a relief—and a source of empowerment.
That single hour of ownership over your schedule compounds. Four to five miles through the neighborhood before anyone else is awake means I've already accomplished something meaningful before my first meeting. I've invested in myself before I invest in everyone else.
Those pre-dawn hours aren't about being more productive than other people. They give you the space to be more intentional than your former self.
#2 – Your Brain Works Differently in Silence
There's a quality of early morning thinking that doesn't exist later in the day. Your mind hasn't been cluttered yet with a hundred micro-decisions, difficult conversations, or problems to solve.
Some of my best strategic thinking happens on those pre-dawn runs. Not because I'm trying to solve problems, but because my brain has space to process. I'll start running with a vague business challenge, and by mile three, the solution presents itself.
That quiet time doesn’t force me to be productive at all hours but instead provides conditions where clarity can emerge naturally.
#3 – Consistency Builds Mental Resilience
Getting up early when you don't feel like it trains a specific muscle: the ability to do what matters regardless of how you feel in the moment.
I've run in 30-degree wind and rain during the Boston Marathon. I've pushed through 60 miles of the Keys 100 Ultramarathon. You never wake up feeling like doing something like that. It only happens with discipline and habit—the daily practice of overriding momentary discomfort.
When you consistently do what you said you'd do—especially when it's difficult—you develop a different relationship with commitment. And that commitment will serve you well in every arena.
#4 – The Day Responds to Your Energy
The days I start with movement and solitude tend to unfold better than days I start reactively.
It's not a mystery as to why, either. When you begin your day with intention rather than urgency, you set a different tone. Challenges still arrive, but you're not already operating from a deficit. You've already proven to yourself that you can do hard things before most people have opened their eyes.
And no…starting strong doesn't guarantee an easy day. But it does guarantee you'll face whatever comes from a position of strength rather than scrambling to catch up.
#5 – It's Not About Perfection
Some mornings, I get my full run in. Other mornings, family needs take priority, and I adapt. Don't aim to become a morning robot who never misses a day.
Instead, make those pre-dawn hours your default setting while maintaining flexibility when life demands it.
I've learned that rigidity often disguises itself as discipline. Real discipline knows when to push through and when to pivot.
Making 5 AM Mornings Work For You
If you're considering joining the pre-dawn crowd, forget the dramatic transformation stories. Start with one or two days per week. Pick a specific activity that matters to you—not what you think you should do.
Make it something you want to protect, not another obligation you resent. (So here’s your permission not to run if running isn’t your thing!)
The early morning isn't magic. But the person you become by consistently showing up before anyone asks you to? That's worth setting an alarm for.
What's your biggest challenge with early mornings? I'd love to hear what's working—or what isn't—in your routine. Drop a comment below.