Robin Sharma On The Extraordinary Benefits Of Waking Up at 5am

Keep getting sidetracked from what’s most important to you? Tired of getting sucked into distraction after distraction?

Robin Sharma’s morning routine may be just what you need.

Long before COVID-19, Robin joined me on the set of MarieTV to talk about his delightful book, The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life. It’s about a 3-step morning ritual that Robin created after working with leaders and high performers from around the world to create astonishing results. 

While this morning habit will make you more productive, it’s about so much more than that. It’s about lowering your stress and maximizing your creativity, happiness, and growth.

“You can play with your phone or change the world. You don’t get to do both.” — @RobinSharma Click To Tweet

Doubt that waking up at 5am will work for you? Don’t knock it until you try it.

Getting up early to write was the only way I finished Everything is Figureoutable and still managed to run the business. Robin calls 5am the “magic hour” and I couldn’t agree more. There’s something special about those moments when it’s still dark out, silent and peaceful.

That said, you can obviously apply his three-step morning ritual to your preferred wakeup time. 

Also — please know that taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional health right now is more important than productivity. Take only what works and leave the rest. 

Ready to start your day with more clarity and focus? Hit play now, or listen on The Marie Forleo Podcast.

DIVE DEEPER: The 4-minute method to massive productivity and how to do less and get more done with Kate Northrup. Plus: our Coronavirus Support Guide.

Want to Join the 5am Club? Follow This 20/20/20 Formula

Like I said in today’s episode, everyone is facing different challenges right now. Waking up at 5am may not be feasible or helpful for you — and that’s okay! Take what serves you and leave what doesn’t.

Robin’s 5am morning routine is split into three twenty-minute increments, designed to get your body, brain, and mind ready for the day ahead. You’ll be shocked at the results you create.

5:00 – 5:20am: Move

Kick off the first twenty minutes with some movement. Dance, walk, run, lift weights, prancercise — whatever gets your blood moving, heart pumping, and endorphins circulating. As Robin says, “The way you feel when you first wake up is not the way you’re going to feel at 5:20.” 

Trust the process and move your body. In twenty minutes you’ll feel better and your brain will be primed for intense focus.

5:20 – 5:40am: Reflect

Your reflection time should be active. It’s a way to turn inward and connect to what’s most important to you.  Here are some ways to dive into reflection:

Do any practice that helps you connect with what’s most important to your heart and soul. 

5:40 – 6:00am: Grow

Want to grow as a leader, parent, partner, entrepreneur, or human? Now’s your time to read, watch, and listen so you can learn. Here are some ideas from our own library to get you started:

• Watch an episode of MarieTV. We’ve got hundreds of episodes that are twenty minutes or less.
• Read Everything is Figureoutable. Unleash motivation and inspiration to take action on your biggest goals and dreams. The Insight to Action Challenges guarantee you’ll get results.
• Take a free writing class. Want to write words that sell and sound like you? This free writing class will make you a better writer in just 7 days.

Now, Robin and I would love to hear from you. What’s the biggest insight you’re taking away from this conversation and, most importantly, how can you turn that insight into action starting right now?

Share as much detail as possible in your reply. Thousands of incredible souls come here each week for insight and inspiration and your words may help someone else have a meaningful breakthrough. Important: share your thoughts and ideas directly in the comments. Links to other posts, videos, etc. will be deleted as they come across as spammy.

If you’ve spent any time around these parts, then you know I take a strong stand for kindness. Please write and respond to each other in that same spirit.

Time is precious — taking even just a few moments out of your day to make sure you’re living with intention will make an enormous difference. Take special care of yourself this week.

With enormous love,

XO