Rise and shine: how setting your alarm can help you save

We’ve heard it since we were young: The early bird gets the worm.

And as titans in the business, productive politicians and parents all over the world prove, this adage isn’t only a cliché.

Take a look at some of these famous early risers (according to this list):

• Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz gets to the office at 6 a.m. after working out
• Michelle Obama, in her White House years, rose at 4:30 a.m. to sneak in a workout before her kids were up
• Apple CEO Tim Cook famously gets up at 3:45 a.m. to get a jump on the East Coast, which is three hours ahead
• General Motors CEO Mary Barra is up at 6 a.m.
• Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, is up at 5:45 a.m., even when on vacation
• PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi is at work by 7 a.m. and up three hours earlier

Now, if you’re a night owl, those wake up times might seem impossible—and even make you feel tired even at the thought of getting up for the day at approximately the same time as you currently go to sleep.

But with a few easy tweaks, even hardened night owls could find themselves a member of the 5 a.m. club.

1. Don’t try it all at once

If you normally get up at 8 a.m., don’t just dive in. Try rolling back your wake up time gradually. Try pushing back the alarm to 7:45 a.m. for a few days, then 7:30 a.m., and so on. After a three-week period, your body will have had time to adjust.

2. ‘Amish Hour’

Getting an early start really depends on your bedtime activities. One thing that ruins our sleep, research shows, is blue light from smartphones. So cut the technology out an hour before bed and read a book. This is becoming so popular that it’s now known as “Amish Hour.”

3. Cut the caffeine and booze

Caffeine can stay in your system for more than six hours after consumption, while booze will dehydrate you during the night. A good rule is to cut out both six hours before bedtime. You’ll find your precious sleep will improve, and you’re going to need it!

4. Make a goal

If you have a passion for painting, or reading sci-fi, set a goal and track your progress. Fitness and weight-loss are also measurable goals. On days when your wakeup feels harsh, having a goal or passion project will give you that extra push.

5. Track your progress

Mark your calendar with every day you hit your new early wake up time. After a week or two, keeping your streak going will motivate you, even on hard days.

6. Get an 'early bird buddy'

Maybe your spouse or a close friend is an early riser? Check in with them regularly to keep yourself accountable. A little competition never hurt, either.

But if you’re really not a morning person, don’t feel bad.

After all, famous night owls like Charles Darwin, Barack Obama, Keith Richards and Sir Winston Churchill did alright for themselves.