Whether you work from home or commute to an office, there are good reasons to start the day early. There are some obvious ones like you are rested, you can get work done before others have an opportunity to interrupt or derail your day, or my all-time favorite, you are more creative because the emotions of the day’s office politics haven’t had time to get in the way.
Most mornings, hitting the snooze button a time or 10 feels a lot more enticing than catching the worm and getting to work early. However, the benefits of doing so far outweigh the drawbacks. Even if you aren’t a morning person, it might be worth considering an earlier start.
Here are a few reasons to consider getting to work early:
You get so much done
Where there are co-workers and clients, there are distractions. You have a full-page to-do list for the day, but the digressions abound, (especially in the form of others derailing you), and suddenly it’s lunchtime, and you haven’t settled a single item. Before the official workday starts though, the office is quiet and calm, and the rapid-fire emails have not begun, you are free to attend to some of your most pressing agenda items in peace.
You’re ready when the official day starts.
By the time the workday properly begins, you’ll be more than ready to roll. You’ll feel awake, grounded, settled-in, caffeinated. While most are still dragging, you’ll be firing on all cylinders. You’ll get more done, (and feel happier doing it), during those morning hours than usual. Otherwise, those first few appointments or meetings can feel like a bit too much, too fast.
It gives you a feeling of control.
There’s something about feeling like you’re ahead of the day that can really improve your sense of autonomy and control. Instead of trying to keep up, you’re setting the pace. Getting to work early helps you feel more in control of your day — and this boost can go a long way.
It gives you a chance to map out your day
Because the morning is a relatively quiet time, and because at this point of the day you have so many hours ahead of you, mornings are the best time of day to make plans. Taking this opportunity to map out your day, and your priorities can help you accomplish more in a more intentional way.
People will notice.
If you regularly get to work a little early, it’s almost certain that someone will notice. Most likely, it’s someone else who likes to arrive ahead of the standard workday — maybe a manager or even your supervisor. Seeing that you make a point to beat the rush will make an impression for sure. And, there’s no harm in that.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a [person] healthy, wealthy and wise
