viking fridays – wake early.
June 6, 2008
Wake early
if you want
another man’s life or land.
No lamb
for the lazy wolf.
No battle’s won in bed.
- The Hávamál
I think our Viking friend should have spent more time stretching before he tried yoga…
Now I’m pretty sure that the Vikings didn’t wake early to exercise, but the idea of putting first things first when you are fresh was not lost on them.
I can’t say it is for everyone, and some days it isn’t easy – yet I continue to do it, because I’d rather give the best part of my day to me. During the workweek, I am able to get a few things done on my personal projects before I have to slave away for “the man”.
And then on the weekends, I’m able to spend some quality time with my children while mom gets to sleep in a bit (although it usually doesn’t last long for mom, as they miss her…)
Does it work? Well, I get about an hour or so in every day when my brain is well rested, to work on my books and so forth.
At 365 days a year, that’s a lot of hours. My current paid workweek is 37.5 hours.
What could you do with almost 10 weeks?
You could take that man’s life or land… you could get that lamb… you could win that battle.
Or you could do some yoga…
Sometimes, it is nice just to do absolutely nothing. Sit outside under a tree, with a cup of coffee, before the rest of the world wakes up. That’s a good time to plot how you’re going to take over the world!
(As always, thanks to Friar and his bear for the great artwork!)
I couldn’t agree more. That first hour or two in the morning are the best for taking care of what’s really important. I don’t get to take advantage of them in terms of working on my goals that often with the new baby, but they’re still not wasted. The one-on-one time when it’s just me and the baby, snuggling before the chaos of the day begins, is precious. Or there are those times when one of my older girls will wake up, and we’ll sit and talk with the house quiet, and I can really focus.
Of course, if I had a few more uninterrupted early morning hours, I’d get a hell of a lot more work done
But it’s all good, and I try to remind myself that in a few years, hanging out with me won’t be quite the thrill it is now for my girls.
Colleen,
That’s how I got into the ritual in the first place – when we had so many children at once, I was always the “early morning person” and so I did the 3:00 or 4:00 am feedings. I found I could see so much more clearly at that time of day than I could after a long day at work.
So I just kept doing it. And as you say, the one-on-one time (or four-on-one in our case!) is a great thing.
I expect you’ll keep the habit and it will serve you well.
Brett,
I read “wake early” and felt a ping, as I just woke deliciously late (day off with daughter except for one meeting). How did Brett know I got up five minutes ago?
It’s great that you do this. Women get the “be good to yourself” message a lot (whether they listen or not), but nurturing yourself is not something that men hear, and I think a lot of guys suffer because of it. A weekly poker (pool, bowling, beer and Fight Club…) night isn’t the same as peace and solitude, either.
That is one of the best things I’ve added to my routine in the past year—getting up just 45 minutes earlier than I need to. I read, I write, and I stare into space while the world is quiet. It’s made me more able to stay peaceful throughout my day, having that bit of zen time first thing.
I did have to give up a night hour in exchange, but I like the productive time better than the tired zoning-out time, most days.
Funny, a lot of cultures seem to have sayings about this subject. I guess folks have always had to choose between David Letterman and getting a jump on their day.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Mail Bag: Or, the Long Tail of Search at MCE
Kelly,
Too funny… sometimes you have to sleep in, though!
You are so right – the Thursday night things with Friar & The Fallen One are good, and yet sometimes we need to get out on our own. I know Friar gets this. I loved his story about climbing up the old ski hill.
One of these days I’ll have to put up a picture of my tree. I call him “tree”. When I sit out there, it is just such a nice thing. Me, the tree, and a cup of coffee.
(And at this time of year, the blackflies…)
The beauty of modern tech is that you can still have your David Letterman if you have a PVR. I usually make Friday night my TV and movie night, so I catch up then.
Hope you’re having a good day – Brett
You know how I feel about waking up early – Best way to fit in time for yourself
Dave Navarro’s last blog post..“Shut Up” – The Two Most Important Words For Success
I’m the opposite. I’m NOT a morning person….It almost feels like having the flu and it takes me 45 minutes to feel fully conscious. I stay in bed until the last possible minute, leaving just enought time for shower and coffee and off to work.
Late in the evenings, on the other hand. That’s when I shine. This is when I “wake up” instead of getting sleepy.
The world is quiet and I have it all to myself. This is when I always did my best homework in university….this is also when I do my best painting and writing.
There is a childish delight in staying up late. It’s like playing hookey on a school night…to play and have fun, and squeeze the last few fun hours out of the day before school starts the next morning.
Friar’s last blog post..Random Bear Photo
@Dave,
Exactly, my friend – we are on the same page here.
@Friar,
I was thinking of you when I wrote this too as I know you’re the exact opposite (that’s why I’d said it isn’t for everyone, a tip of the hat to night owls like you).
Then again, you spent a lot of time in Oz on vacation a while back. Perhaps you *are* a morning person, just living on the wrong side of the planet!
I’d have to say I’m with Friar on this one. Really early morning to me would be 7 am. I feel all drugged out in the early morning and when I’m really ‘on deadline’ (like now) I can stay up to 3 or 4am no problem. I don’t drink coffee either!
Maybe it’s an artist thing…Janice??
Mind you, I work at home, have no kids and currently live alone. Makes it *a lot* easier. I can take little power naps in the day too…everyone would be more productive in a day job if they could do that, trust me. That’s what we need, a power nap crusade!
Karen JL’s last blog post..A Little Hell Week Potpourri
@Karen
I would be SO MUCH more productive, if they had a cot at work, and allowed me to take a 20-30 minute power nap. Apparently some progressive companies allow this.
I’m not holding my breath, though. Our Widget Factory is stuck in the 1970’s…they dont’ even trust people enough to allow them to telecommute.
We have a chronic office space shortage right now. Parking is inadequate, and they keep scolding us and telling us to save the planet and car-pool. 50% of us dont’ really need to be here…we can easily do our jobs from any lap-top at home.
But they don’t allow us to telecommute. Go figure.
(Argh!). Sorry, I’m a grumpy Friar today1
Friar’s last blog post..Random Bear Photo
@ Friar
Grump away, man. You have my sympathies…I’d go nuts in a 9-5 office job having to deal with all that ‘crap’.
No wonder you’re always escaping into the mountains.
Karen JL’s last blog post..A Little Hell Week Potpourri
I’m with Friar on this one. Before 10am, I’m just not ready to do anything. Although I do understand the ‘get up before everyone and have alone time’ thing. My house is usually full of my friends partying and having a good time. It can be hard to find time to do anything quiet. On weekends I like to wake up around 10-10:30 and sit on the back deck with coffee and a book while everyone else is still sleeping off the booze from the night before.
– Siv
@Karen JL
I’m escaping to the “Big City” this weekend, at least
(Kingston, that is).
Which is a big city, compared to where I live.
Friar’s last blog post..Random Bear Photo
Brett,
I think you know this, but I’m like you and save the best energy time for my self. I sit with my coffee in bed and work on my novel. I try to work on it everyday but it doesn’t always work out that way.
Have a great weekend!
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Writing the Wild Within: Part 4 – Standing Out From the Crowd
@Friar: like, Kingston, near Belleville?
I am more a night person too, though if I get up early I’m always pleased with how much more time it seems I have, with how much I can get done in a morning! I never feel rushed, then.
This was a lovely post, evocative of some dear memories, too. I had the Lone Tree!
steph’s last blog post..you know it’s hot when…
It seems like the last Viking Friday was just yesterday. This week flew by! I think it’s smart to take time for yourself first. I try to bounce back and forth throughout the day, doing a bit of work, then doing personal stuff like exercise, creative writing, etc. This is one of the benefits of freelancing, having that flexibility. Of course, it usually means my workday stretches into late hours but that’s o.k.
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Improve Your Writing: Get Feedback
Hi everybody- been working so just getting here. I love this post. That early morning time is such a jump on the world feeling for me. I use to let the early mourning doves outside my window wake me up, have tea do some yoga stretching and get that delicious start on the day. I haven’t been as good at that lately as I would like. ( I hear you Dave. )
When I am in production or deep studio mode I have late nights and early mornings. It’s like Karen said, if the project is going it’s going. If I am prepping for a show or under deadline, it’s 16 hour days or splits of morning and nights. Sometimes I have to remind myself to eat.
When I added blogging and online presence to the mix, my timing got all scrunched up. I like to do that in the morning, but it throws my painting day off a bit.
Still trying to figure it all out now. It feels like the rhythm is off a bit.
So sometimes that quiet late night is good. Sometimes the early morning works. I like the feeling of time out of time that those two parts of the day have. Do you know what I mean?
Janice Cartier’s last blog post..The Weekend 30 Minute Challenge
Brett, I take the first part of my day for me too. Although, like Friar and Karen JL mentioned, I’m not necessarily a early morning riser. I have done the 4 am, 5 am thing in the past but find now I just can’t! Yet, before I face the day (and other people) I am nurturing my own body, mind and soul. Like Friar said the night can be extremely tranquil and much like the early morning, which also makes it an excellent time to create. However, I still need the first part of my day to myself or it’s not good for everyone else.
Karen Swim’s last blog post..Be Unstoppable!
@All,
Hello! I apologize for not responding sooner – I’d anticipated being able to connect last night, but my father-in-law went to bed before I had a chance to ask him for his wireless password, and I couldn’t leech from any of the neighbours as they’ve obviously all become security minded
(Also, we were so busy that I’ve not finished my post for today – so the running report will be a day late…)
Anyway… thank you for all of the great comments!
@Karen JL & Friar & Sivren,
It sounds like you folks are the night-owl trinity, and I’ve operated like that in a former life, but right now with a large family, I find the early morning thing works best – the added bonus is that my mind is clear – no pollution from the day’s work.
Friar – you’re right, a nap for anyone is good, no matter how early or late they get up. Someday our society will pick up on this… the Europeans seem to get it…
@Ellen,
Yes, we are very much alike that way. Don’t worry, I don’t always get to work on my book either – but, we keep working at it. We can and will succeed.
I hope you’re having a great weekend too!
@steph,
Thank you! The Lone Tree – that is cool. I call my tree, “tree”. He and I get along really well.
@Melissa,
Tell me about it! Where did the week go? It’s been fun, though. It sounds like you have a really good balance with your work flow. That is where I want to be – work flexibility.
It is possible to get this with a “normal” job, but you have to work for Google or someone like that. The Widget Factory isn’t quite that progressive
@Janice,
Thank you very much – and I’m just getting back here, 24 hours later so no worries! To be honest, it sounds to me like you *do* have it mostly figured out – just a bit of tweaking, perhaps.
It is easy to get thrown off a bit, though – it doesn’t take much. I lost the early mornings for a bit when I took the March Break off with my kids. I was staying up late, and not getting up so early.
However, a swift kick from Dave Navarro sorted me out
@Karen Swim,
That’s the way to do it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be at 4 am – I’d probably wait until 8 am myself if I wasn’t working where I work! The main thing is time to yourself.
And it seems like everyone here understands this.
Thanks for stopping by, everyone.
I’ll have a new post up soon!
Why is it I never get around to Viking Fridays until Monday?
Daggummit.
At any rate, here’s where I find myself: during the school year, I was getting up at 5:30 to get the teen ready for school. Today’s the first day of summer break, and I’m worried that I’ll start sleeping in later and later. I’m determined not to do it, though.
I’m printing this post, Brett. I’m putting it next to my alarm clock. This summer is going to kick ass, I can feel it.
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey’s last blog post..Meme Week Finale: The Dream Meme
@Bob,
You *will* kick ass this summer Bob – as always.
(don’t worry, the weekend was a blur for me too… my “Saturday” post should hit the net tomorrow…)
[...] Brett is a talented writer who plans to emigrate to New Zealand soon. His great articles include: Viking Fridays – Wake Early and The Straw. Brad Shorr: I first came across Brad over at Confident Writing. He writes some [...]