If you are a super-organized, iron-willed and highly-determined person, I envy you. I seriously do, because once you set your mind on something, nothing will be able to stop you from accomplishing your goal. Sometimes I wish I was like that too, but let’s be realistic – I am not.

I had to start 3-4 times before I finally managed to change some of my habits, like exercising every day or sticking to a 3-month vision-improvement program. I am fully aware of how hard it may be to control the urges and follow through with your goals. But I also know how great it feels to say, “I made it!” and give yourself a big proud smile.

I want you to realize that no matter how many times you have failed before, building a new success habit does not have to be difficult.

Here are a few things that you might want to consider, before you start:

1. Be prepared. Very often changing one habit leads to some degree to a lifestyle change. For example, when I first decided to start waking up at 6 a.m., I suddenly got an extra 2 hours of free time. And honestly, I had no idea what to do with it. I had to completely rethink my morning routine. If I had not done this, my new resolution would not have lasted a week. Similar, if you want to give up an old habit, you have to know what other activities you will substitute it with.

2. Find specific time. If you block out specific time for your new habit, you are more likely stick to it than if you just go along with your ever-changing daily schedule.

3. Identify your triggers. Try this exercise. Close your eyes and mentally go over your weekly routine day after day. Think of what might prevent you from sticking to your habit? What situations, activities, events, surroundings, and thoughts trigger your old habit? Be proactive and do everything you can to avoid these triggers in the future.

4. Have a plan B. If your habit involves jogging outdoors each day for one month, what happens if it rains? If you have decided to get up at 6 a.m., what happens if you have to stay up late at your friend’s Birthday party? You need to think about these details in advance and have a plan B ready in case something goes wrong.

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“One key to success is to have lunch at the time of day most people have breakfast.” ~Robert Brault

It has become common knowledge that successful people are early risers. Although, no one can guarantee that getting up early will necessarily make you successful, there are some sound reasons why successful people choose to wake up before the sunrise.

Benefits of becoming an early riser:

1. Mindful start of the day. The first 15 minutes after you wake up set the mood and the pace for the whole day. If you jump out of bed thinking, “OMG! I’m late!” or immediately start mulling over all the problems that you have to solve today, it probably means that you are not starting your day on the right foot. Waking up early actually gives you time to become conscious of your surroundings, stretch your body, smile to yourself, listen to some great music, and truly feel how blessed you are, because you have been given the opportunity to live another day and make it wonderful.

2. More free time. It is as simple as that – if you wake up 2-3 hours earlier, you get majority of the tasks on your to-do list done by noon. It means that you do not have to stay late after work to finish your projects. You can get home earlier and spend quality time with your family. Or if you do not feel like starting your day with work, you can still use those 2 precious extra hours to meditate, work out, pursue a hobby, cook yourself a delicious breakfast or plan out your day. In any case you expand your free time!

3. Important health benefits. Besides obvious benefits of rising early like having plenty of time to do a quick work out, or eating a healthy balanced breakfast (instead of skipping it), there are other interesting discoveries made in this area. A study conducted of college students conducted by Wilse B. Webb, Ph.D., and Michael H. Bonnet, Ph.D., of the University of Florida demonstrated that “larks (or early risers) reported waking up feeling more rested”, having “fewer worries” and getting more “adequate sleep”. They also awakened feeling physically better than “owls” (late risers).

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