By Michael C. Mack
Rising early is a common trait among many successful and influential people, says Forbes online (www.forbes.com). The Forbes article mentioned early risers such as Margaret Thatcher, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Robert Iger (CEO of Disney), all of whom were or are out of bed between 4 and 5 a.m. The Forbes writer, however, overlooked another very successful and influential leader who often rose early, Jesus. Here are four items from the Forbes list and two from Jesus about what these successful people focus(ed) on while most are still in bed:
1. Exercise. A prework workout will provide you with an energy boost throughout the day, as well as a sense of accomplishment. It”s also been shown to be a cure for stress and burnout. Most people who exercise regularly do it in the morning, eliminating the possibility of bailing out on their workout after a stressful day at work.
2. Plan their day. Map out your priorities, schedule, and goals early, before anyone can interrupt you. Use this peaceful time for reflection on what”s most important, or to do some problem solving.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast. Many people are in a rush in the morning, grabbing coffee and a muffin as they run out of the house. Take the extra time to fuel your body for a fruitful day.
4. Knock out the tough tasks. Everyone has tasks they need to do, but don”t want to do, so they generally put them off until the last minute. Instead, tackle these tasks when you are still fresh and have some uninterrupted time. Your day will get progressively easier after that.
5. Connect. In John 21, Jesus met his friends on the seashore early in the morning. He used the time to reconnect with his disciples and reinstate Peter. You can use the extra time in the morning to sit down and have breakfast with your spouse and kids instead of rushing out the door.
6. Pray. This one should actually be first on this list! Mark 1:35 describes Jesus” prayer practice: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Early morning is not the only time to pray and read Scripture, of course, but it may be the best time for most people to have a quiet time to talk to and hear from God. Making it the first thing you do in your day also sets it up as the first priority in your life.
“”www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2013/10/02/5-things-super-successful-people-do-before-8-am/
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