When it comes to inspiration, the time of day seems to be important.
This may come as a surprise; it does to me. Yet almost by accident I have found it to be true; it would be good to know how it works for you.
The thing is that I have ‘discovered’ the early morning. Ever since my trip to Switzerland I have been getting up much earlier than normal. I’ve been out of the house before most people are awake and I’ve been able to be inspired in the quiet freshness of the new day.
Most times I have walked for an hour or so and then returned to breakfast before starting work. It has made a huge difference to my day. I am more awake and energized and, I believe, more creative. In that first hour, the good ideas just flow effortlessly. Now I always take a notebook!
It reminds of my friend Helen who bought a puppy. Soon afterwards she told me of the delight of the necessary early walks before work – she said how she was so pleased to have discovered that wonderful time of day.
Now, before you ask, I do know how nice it is to stay in bed. Sometimes I stay there a bit longer. But the habit of staying until the last possible moment and then rushing to get up and out the door misses out on wonderful potential to be inspired. You might be tucked under the duvet just at the time that inspiration is closest.
John used to frequently wake at four in the morning feeling ready to get up. But when he checked the clock and realized that ‘it wasn’t time to get up’ he dozed off again. When he woke the second time, he felt tired and the days had a lasting lethargy that was hard to shake off.
Then one morning John decided to get up at 4am and found he was awake and alert. He accomplished several things he had wanted to do, all before normal rising time. So he repeated the same the next morning and the results were similar. Soon he had started a new habit and became aware that, for his own body-clock, the early morning was his most productive time.
It’s OK, I’m not suggesting you get up at 4am 
Neither am I suggesting you have to get up early every morning. But you might like to experiment; like me, you may make a life-changing discovery.
Suppose you get up even half an hour earlier than normal. You could have a more relaxed start to the day, catch a less crowded train, walk instead of riding. You could read or meditate, or fix a more nutritious breakfast. Whatever you do, the activity is secondary; what matters is giving yourself some time and space early in the day to allow new inspiration to flow.
Life is short and our work difficult enough without at least a little sense of possibility to allow the day to breathe David Whyte
I woke up this morning and bounced out of bed. The day was wet and windy already and the school traffic very busy. Daughter two had her first day at a new school. Lots going on at home and client proposals waiting to be accepted. So getting up at least half an hour earlier just gives that extra scope for accommodating some inspiration or quiet reflection.
But it can be a real struggle when you don’t have to. I guess it’s like all things in life you have to make the effort.
Thanks for reminding me Trevor.
Thanks Mark – perhaps the struggle we have is one of deferred gratification – either we stay in bed or we make an effort to get up which pays back with a better morning overall. I find that an inspired start means less effort is needed later in the day.