The "Key" to Unlocking Your True Potential
What is the number one thing you need to do every day…
To become the best version of yourself
You might initially think about things you already do like: get a workout, meditate, sleep 8 hours, eat a specific diet, read a book, write in a journal, etc.
These are all fantastic habits and have been shown to increase your well-being and productivity, but which one is the priority and which habit will have the most impact?
I grew up with dreams of being a professional athlete , so since I was about 12 years old I have worked out every day. Working out for me is a habit that I don’t even need to think about, and in order to be a successful athlete it was the most important habit for me.
However, as a business owner, entrepreneur, business coach and husband this is not the main habit that will help me achieve my new mission.
Recently I was listening to a Tom Bilyeu podcast (link at end) and the guest Robin Sharma challenged listeners who have big dreams to “change their lives and unlock their potential” by joining the 5a.m. club.
THE 5A.M. CLUB IS A PRETTY SIMPLE CONCEPT. IT LITERALLY MEANS GETTING UP AT 5A.M. EVERY DAY.
My business coach decided we needed to give it a try. So, for 30 days we would text each other every day at 5a.m. to hold each other accountable. 30 days later we reflected on the experience and my main takeaway was by joining the 5a.m. club I was becoming the person I wanted to be. I was creating a routine and rhythm to my day that I not only was proud of, but I could feel it would lead to success.
In the book Atomic Habits, James Clear describes this as a “keystone habit”. A keystone habit leads to a “cascade of other actions”, and for me waking up at 5a.m. led to:
- WORKING OUT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING
- FEELING MORE AWAKE AND MORE POSITIVE ALL MORNING
- GETTING INTO WORK BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE AND HAVING FOCUSED WORK TIME
- BEING MORE CREATIVE AND EXCITED ABOUT NEW BUSINESS IDEAS
- GETTING MORE OF THE DIFFICULT WORK DONE IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME
- FEELING BETTER AT THE END OF THE DAY
- FALLING ASLEEP QUICKER AT NIGHT
OUT OF ALL THE THINGS I DO IN A DAY, WHY IS GETTING UP AT 5A.M MY “KEYSTONE HABIT”?
December’s book of the month at OxWork is the 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington and it might have the answer. The 5a.m. club is such a keystone for me because every day I get to keep a promise to myself about the person I want to become.
Moran and Lennington believe that “accountability, commitment and flow” are the 3 principles that will build “character, esteem” and ultimately “success”.
By getting up at 5a.m. every day I am holding myself accountable and in turn building a belief in my own character. This commitment to myself leads to a sense of self-esteem and confidence that I deserve to be successful, which in turn leads to focused and productive work which gives me a greater chance of being successful.
LET’S GET ONE THING CLEAR, GETTING UP AT 5A.M. SUCKS, BUT I WANT A 1% LIFE. THE REASON IT IS A 1% LIFE IS BECAUSE IT IS HARD AND 99% OF PEOPLE WON’T DO IT. WILL YOU?
At OxWork we are working to build our dream lives, not just another job. If that is you, we can’t wait to meet you:
📧Email “1% LIFE” to ant@oxwork.co
References:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
12 Week Year by Brian P. Morgan & Michael Lennington
Impact Theory Podcast by Tom Bilyeu with guest Robin Sharma Episode #118