Train Yourself to Become a Morning Person and Test If You're a Real Lark or Night Owl
About 15 years ago I suffered from a serious case of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, where I was most awake between 1-3 AM, and couldn't get out of bed before 9 or 10 AM. It didn't help that I had a high tech/dotcom job where I could roll in at 10:30, no problem. I fixed my sleep rhythm by doing a few things: 1 - I bought an enormous light box, and I put 2 150 watt bulbs in the lamps next to my bed, and put those lamps on a timer to go off at 6AM. At night, I came home and didn't turn on any lights in the house. Watched a little TV, and went to bed. At 6AM those lamps came on, making my bedroom look as lit up as a jet runway. Once the lamps came on, I sat in front of the light box on my computer for 30 minutes. I had a hard time the first week or so, then my rhythm shifted.
How to be good at socializing
Being socialable is a very easy thing to do, and it shouldn’t be something you’re either good at or not. You can learn to become a more social person – if you want to. Generally extroverts will have less trouble getting out and talking to new people, but that’s to be expected. Don’t think, however, that outgoing people don’t make mistakes either. There are ways to make life easier while you’re out and about. To Do: Initiate conversation – A lot of people, while out, wait for other people to talk to them. It can be somewhat daunting at first because of fear of rejection or being shut down. Smile - If you look like you’re unhappy you’ll be less approachable. If you’re enjoying yourself, people will notice and want in on the action. Acknowledge randoms – This can be as simple as a smile and a nod. One of my favorite things to do while out is make friends with random people. If you just came from work, for instance, loosen up. Then again, individuality goes a long way. The Don’ts:
» 10 Benefits of Rising Early, and How to Do It
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” – Ben Franklin, famously “Put no trust in the benefits to accrue from early rising, as set forth by the infatuated Franklin …” – Mark Twain By Leo Babauta Recently, reader Rob asked me about my habit of waking at 4:30 a.m. each day, and asked me to write about the health benefits of rising early, which I thought was an excellent question. Unfortunately, there are none, that I know of. However, there are a ton of other great benefits. Now, let me first say that if you are a night owl, and that works for you, I think that’s great. Greet the day. How to Become an Early Riser Don’t make drastic changes.
How to detect bullshit
By Scott Berkun, August 9, 2006 Everyone lies: it’s just a question of how, when and why. From the relationship saving “yes, you do look thin in those pants” to the improbable “your table will be ready in 5 minutes”, manipulating the truth is part of the human condition. Accept it now. I’m positive that given our irrational nature and difficultly accepting tough truths, we’re collectively better off with some of our deceptions. But lies, serious lies, should not be encouraged as they destroy trust, the binding force in all relationships. Why people BS: a primer The first lie in the Western canon comes from the same joyful tome as the first murders, wars and plagues: the Old Testament. To recap from the book of Genesis, God tells Adam and Eve not to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge, as pretty as it is, for they’ll die. Please note that in this tale nearly everyone lied. People lie for three reasons; the first is to protect themselves. Ok, enough philosophy: lets get to detection.
How to be a morning person, and have more time for yourself!
Do you hate getting up in the morning? Does the sound of your alarm clock set you in panic, dry sweats, and almost bring you to tears each morning? Do you hate people that are happy and chipper early in the morning? Do you need to have at least two cups of coffee before you can even acknowledge the day each morning? Do you wish there was a way to make getting up easier? Do you wish you had more time to get things done during the day? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, this ‘ible is for you. Please note, I’m not a doctor, I never played one on TV, I didn’t even stay in a Holiday Inn last night, so please use this only as a guide and seek professional help for any problems or issues you may have. With that said, I have been in the US Army for over 20 years and been deployed all over. Over time, I’ve learned plenty of tricks for dealing with early mornings. So here goes…
Start Your Day in 33 Different Ways
Mornings are underrated. I consider them fundamental for the whole diurnal experience. What you do in the very first moments of your morning will fundamentally and inexorably shape your entire day. Consciously inserting your intentions in these very first moments will have a huge effect. Here are at least 33 ways in which you can transform your days by only spending 5 minutes every morning. 1. I love the morning stillness and the unspoken promise of something ready to start. 2. And do nothing. 3. Point your mind to something you’re really grateful for and stay there. 4. Regardless of the current season. 5. You’re going to spot it pretty easily if you put your mind to it. 6. Write an answer to an old question, do part of a small chore, move an object out of somebody’s way. 7. Empty your mind and isolate from your environment. 8. This is different from number 6 in terms of the actual time of the helping act. 9. Like in getting physical. 10. 11. Let go. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
How to Become an Early Riser
It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom. – Aristotle Are morning people born or made? In my case it was definitely made. In my early 20s, I rarely went to bed before midnight, and I’d almost always sleep in late. I usually didn’t start hitting my stride each day until late afternoon. But after a while I couldn’t ignore the high correlation between success and rising early, even in my own life. … and the next morning, I got up just before noon. Hmmm… I tried again many more times, each time not getting very far with it. It’s hard to become an early riser using the wrong strategy. The most common wrong strategy is this: You assume that if you’re going to get up earlier, you’d better go to bed earlier. It seems there are two main schools of thought about sleep patterns. The second school says you should listen to your body’s needs and go to bed when you’re tired and get up when you naturally wake up.
