STRATEGIES & TACTICS

My ranting and raving regarding the unique snowflake and deadweight children excuses aside, waking up early to do anything let alone practice can be very difficult.

Here are some strategies and tactics that might help.

Strategies

8 Hours

Aim for 8 hours. Your specific amount will vary. But don't kid yourself that "you need less." You don't. Shoot for 9 hours every day of the week, see how you feel. (Probably great.) Quit kidding yourself that you can't do it. You're just fucking around on the Internet.

Sleep Cave

Create a sleep cave: cool and pitch black. Use a black-out curtain.

EMP Pulse

Almost all electronic screens use light towards the blue end of the spectrum. This will prevent quality sleep. Shut down your shit about an hour before you plan to hit the hay.

Create Ritual

Practice the "when," "where," and "how" it's time to wind down. Consistency is queen.

Tactics

Strategies are well and good. Here are two specific tactics you can actually put in practice.

Alarm Distance

Set your alarm at a louder volume. Move your alarm --- it's probably your iPhone --- well away from your bed.

Clothes Horse

This is probably one of the single best tactics I have ever learned. 

It's based on the idea that humans are all cognitive misers, and have limited amounts willpower. 

The night before, pick out your yoga clothes and work clothes. Put them in a pile. 

When you wake up, your yoga clothes and work clothes are already selected for you. 

Take a shower, put them on, and get in your car. Coffee optional.