Waking up at 5am to code

#1

Post by city41 » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 3:27 AM UTC

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#2

Post by derekja » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 3:40 AM UTC

was a post a day or two ago about creativity being highest in the early AM as well. I do this in spurts but can't maintain it for long stretches...

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#3

Post by 5vforest » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 3:49 AM UTC

This sounds horrible... and like it would ruin my productivity towards the end of my work day.

How about waking up early to exercise?

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#4

Post by donnfelker » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 3:57 AM UTC

This isbexactly how i lauched two products with a family with 2 kids 5 am kicks ass. That remibds me... i need to go to bed.:)

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#5

Post by city41 » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 3:58 AM UTC

5vforest wrote: post #3

This sounds horrible... and like it would ruin my productivity towards the end of my work day. How about waking up early to exercise?

Maybe it is horrible :) I'll see how I feel in a month. But why not experiment? My desire to do this sprung from being tired enough after a day of work that I'd really only work on my stuff on weekends.

Truthfully, I do run on Thursday mornings instead of code because that day I have lunch commitments (I run at lunch the rest of the week). I plan to try mixing in more morning running with the coding, see how that changes things too.

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#6

Post by dguaraglia » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 3:58 AM UTC

I used to do this a while ago, while working from home. I woke up at 6am and had my breakfast right next to the computer, then would only do the 'morning routine' (shower, walking the dog, etc.) after my wife had woken up and gone to work.

It was incredibly productive. As the author say the cost of those two hours keep you focused (you know you are making that extra effort, so distraction isn't an option.)

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#7

Post by da5e » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 4:00 AM UTC

Sounds like a great habit. There are some studies that indicate problem solving ability is highest when you're "groggy" so maybe skip the coffee. Many authors have developed the same habit during their early days when they had a day job. Mark Cuban said, "You're only at your best once a day."

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#8

Post by 97s » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 4:00 AM UTC

I am a stay at home dad recovering from AML stim cell transplant. I have been trying to find time in my day to work on a personal project that I need to develop for myself and I think has a potential for profit. However with my busy 1 year old son waking up at 8AM(sleeps all night, which I am super thankful for), I can't find the time during the day to focus on a project. I get spurts during his 30-40 minute naps and when he is playing real good by himself, but as I get focused I am quickly pulled away. I have tried to be productive when I put him down at night, but I find I need to spend this time with my wife.

It is looking like I might become a 6AM coder soon. Seeing that my day starts at 8AM.

I had thought about getting up this early, but I just didn't think I could make it through the day with my semi-low energy levels.

However, I am thinking if I get up at 6AM, I can nap when my son naps for 30-40. As I read another post on HN that it actually is great to take these short duration naps.

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#9

Post by epikur » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 4:05 AM UTC

You should buy some nice headphones, if you only have speakers right now.

Re: Waking up at 5am to code

#10

Post by robdoherty2 » Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 4:06 AM UTC

I did this for several months while I was taking the Stanford AI class. I got up at 6, did coursework for two hours or so, and went to work by 9.

I found it to be highly beneficial for several reasons (some of which were mentioned in the blog post): -since I am usually exhausted by the end of the day, I found the early time to be really conducive to clear thinking -early part of the day is so quiet-- no interruptions -I felt like I accomplished quite a bit even before arriving at work, so I somehow felt more productive even though I should have been more tired

I intentionally did not keep up the early time on the weekends and slept in-- btw, 8am felt like sleeping in :)

Since the class finished, I kept up the habit and wake up early to code or read.

I admit it isn't for everyone, but it is worth a try for anyone who wants to code after work but feels too tired or easily distracted.