Are you an early bird? Most people have heard the phrase “the early bird gets the worm,” but they may actually be getting much more than that.
Early birds are more likely to be proactive, happy and healthy – check out 10 things that early birds do that make them more likely to be successful.
1. They Can Accomplish Tasks As Soon As They Start Their Day
It doesn’t take long for our days to get started; family, friends, career obligations, emails, and tidying mean that there are things to start doing as soon as you wake up. Early birds get a head start on this first thing, accomplishing most of their tasks in the morning.
This is good in another way, too – as early birds accomplish tasks when they wake up, they are more likely to have a relaxed evening.
2. They May Be Wired To Be An Early Riser
Researchers have discovered that around 10% of us are born early birds. This means many early birds are actually wired this way, and forcing themselves to sleep in will reduce how proactive they are. So embrace your early bird status to achieve success!
3. They May Be More Intelligent
A 2008 study from Texas University discovered that the students who identified as being early birds actually scored a full point higher on their GPAs than the students who identified as night owls.
4. They Are Most Focused In The Morning
Many people feel more focused first thing in the morning, and early birds really get to embrace this as they get up when most people are asleep, creating far fewer distractions.
The most efficient way to work is in two to four hour block sessions – and by 11 many early birds have already completed their first block.
5. They Are Following The Habits Of Extremely Successful People
It appears greeting the day early is one of the keys to success. Many successful entrepreneurs are early birds themselves; CEO of Apple Tim Cook is up for 4:30 a.m. and Richard Branson is up for 5.45 a.m. This may be because getting starting early gives you a head start on the day.
6. They Get A Good Night’s Sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential to a productive day, and early birds often have more opportunities to sleep.
Many people struggle to fall to sleep straight away, and many wake up during the night. If this happens, you may need an extra half an hour in the morning – and as early birds rise so early, they have the opportunity to get a little extra sleep if they need it.
7. They Are More Proactive
In a 2008 study at Harvard, Christop Randler discovered that morning people are more proactive.
The early birds were more likely than the night owls to agree with proactive statements like “I spend time identifying long-range goals for myself.”
A proactive attitude naturally leads to higher productivity, which means early birds are more likely to be successful later on.
8. They Have Time For Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but many people do not make time for a proper breakfast, or even a rushed one. Early risers have more free time in their mornings than other people, so they have fewer excuses to skip breakfast.
A survey from the Harvard School of Public Health discovered a possible link between not eating breakfast and a higher risk of coronary heart disease, so having a good breakfast can benefit you in many different ways.
9. They May Be Happier
A study at the University of Toronto has actually shown that morning people are likely to be both happier and healthier than night owls. The health part is partially logical; as early birds are up earlier they have more opportunity to eat a good breakfast and exercise.
The happiness is the more interesting part; morning people report higher levels of happiness, which could be due to how proactive they are.
10. They Have Great Personality Traits
Studies have shown that early birds are more likely to show some traits than night owls. Night owls are more likely to exhibit creativity and pessimism, while early birds are more likely to exhibit optimism, conscientiousness and satisfaction.
