Many people are surprised when I tell them that my days begin at 2:00 AM. Maybe they picture themselves getting dragged from their warm beds earlier than the alarm is set and can’t imagine it. I really do rise at 2:00 AM, no kidding.

I had a friend that once said, “In this house, we rise at six, but we don’t shine ’til seven.”

Starting my day at 2:00 AM has advantages. Being up before the rest of humanity means that I can get a lot of work done before the demands of the day commence and the multitude of interruptions begin. I can get a lot of writing done before my wife is awake and I can enjoy a couple cups of my favorite coffee, drinking it leisurely.

Ben Franklin said this: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”

Doctor Franklin used the term “industry” quite frequently to describe individual effort, productivity if you will. From his writings, it is clear to me that he meant a person that is up before the sun and sets to work accomplishing a number of tasks before anyone else is awake has a clear advantage, a headstart, you might say, and has already completed a lot of work before anyone else even begins.

Put aside the notion of “industry” for a moment. There is another BIG advantage to rising early. Before the needs of the day pull you away, you have time to sit and think, you have time to day-dream, so to speak, and imagine yourself making all your dreams come true. That quiet time can be used for contemplation, as much as for industry.

Quietly sitting and sipping your morning coffee while your mind is “visualizing your success” just might be the most productive thing that you can do. Taking time to daydream is important. If rising at 2:00 AM enables you to think and dream about reaching your goals, then it is time well spent.

Rise and Shine, indeed.