One thing I have learned about myself is that I am, without apology, a morning person. I get a walk in with the dogs, a cup of coffee or two, and a protein-rich breakfast (greek yogurt with berries and egg whites) everyday, and still have an hour or two before work. There are others who try a different tack, as described by the following tweet:

I would like to tell you about an easy way to get up in the morning and how much better, but the dirty little secret is this ‘revenge bedtime procrastination’ is precisely what I’m doing.

I just do it in the morning.

Knowing I am at my most chipper and best in the morning gives me license to enjoy my morning first. I choose not to wake up to immediately work, but to wake up to spend a few moments for myself. I don’t feel too bad about playing 20 minutes of Pinball Action at 5:30 in the morning.

I take a great deal of pride in my work, and what I do every day, but spending 2-3 hours every morning taking care of me, the dogs, and my family first make it exactly worth that effort. If you feel like you are ‘stealing back’ time for yourself in the middle of the night, only to wake up miserable, you might do better taking that time first thing in the morning.

Pay yourself first. Especially with your time.