🪝 The Hook: The Pain of Never-Ending To-Do Lists
I was constantly overwhelmed. My to-do list looked like a hydra—cross one thing off, three more popped up. I was working late into the night, scrolling Twitter in the name of “research,” and still going to bed feeling like I’d achieved nothing.
After reading yet another productivity blog praising the 5 AM Club, I decided to stop reading about it — and actually do it.
🛠 The Setup: What the 5 AM Club Actually Is
For the uninitiated, the 5 AM Club is a concept popularized by Robin Sharma. The idea is simple but brutal: wake up at 5 AM and spend your first hour following the 20/20/20 formula — 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of reflection, 20 minutes of growth (reading, learning, journaling).
I wasn’t convinced. I love sleep, and 5 AM felt like an ungodly hour reserved for bakers and monks. But I promised myself a 30-day experiment to see what would happen.
🧪 The Experiment Framework
My Rules:
‣ Wake up at 5:00 AM every day (no snoozing).
‣ Follow the 20/20/20 routine.
‣ No caffeine until after the first hour.
‣ Track my mood, energy levels, deep work hours, and blog output.
The Struggles: Week 1 Diary (aka The Zombie Chronicles)
‣ Day 1: Felt unstoppable. Did pushups at 5:10 AM. Wrote 1,000 words before breakfast. Felt like I had unlocked a secret level in life.
‣ Day 3: Alarm rang. I stared at it like it had personally offended me. Hit snooze, felt guilty, got up late.
‣ Day 5: Accidentally fell asleep at 8 PM on the couch. Social life: 0. Productivity: still high.
‣ Day 7: Body started to adjust, but I still wanted to cry every time the alarm rang.
This part was messy and hilarious — but it’s what made the whole thing real.
📊 The Data & The Transformation
What I Measured:
‣ Mood (1–10 scale)
‣ Deep Work Hours (focus sessions)
‣ Blog Traffic
‣ Energy Level (subjective, but tracked consistently)
| Metric | Before (Baseline) | After (30 Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Deep Work Hours | 2.5 hrs/day | 4.2 hrs/day |
| Mood (Avg) | 6/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Blog Posts Written | 2 per week | 3–4 per week |
| Screen Time (Evenings) | 3 hrs | 1 hr |
The Good:
‣ By 8:30 AM, I had already moved my body, journaled, and written something meaningful.
‣ My afternoons became shockingly open. I wasn’t chasing tasks — I was leading them.
The Bad:
‣ My social life shrank. 9 PM became my bedtime.
‣ Thursday evenings? I was basically a zombie.
Key Takeaways (Not What You Expect)
‣ It’s not about 5 AM — it’s about a protected morning routine. The magic was having a quiet, interruption-free hour.
‣ Consistency beats extremity. Even 6 AM worked just as well once I tested it.
‣ Listen to your chronotype. If you’re a true night owl, this might do more harm than good.
Actionable Advice: Should YOU Try It?
If you’re curious, start small:
‣ Try a 7-day challenge instead of 30.
‣ Go for a 6 AM Starter Club (more sustainable for most people).
‣ Focus on creating a distraction-free morning routine, not just waking up early.
Conclusion & Engagement
After 30 days, I can confidently say: I’m not a permanent 5 AM Club member, but I am a converted morning protector. My days feel calmer, my output is better, and my nights aren’t as chaotic.
💬 Your turn: Are you an early riser or a night owl? What would you do with an extra quiet hour in your day? Drop your thoughts below — I’d love to hear them.
About the Author
Bentech
Web developer, Cyber security enthusiastic and IT.
