Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook likes waking up before 5am, and for a spell he nailed 3.45am. He will spend an hour responding to his daily avalanche of 700 or 800 e-mails. His morning routine also involves strength exercises and a stop at Starbucks on his 7am drive to work.
Another early bird, former US first lady Michelle Obama, hits the gym every day after she rises and shines at 4.30am.
American actress-entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow is more esoteric. She sets the alarm for 5am, starting her day with a tongue-scrape, transcendental meditation and celery juice.
The trio are knights exemplar of the 5AM Club: high achievers and disciplined sunrisers at war with wasted mornings.
Leadership expert Robin Sharma, who wrote The 5AM Club (2018), lives by this sunny manifesto: "Own your morning, elevate your life."
He has worked out a 20/20/20 formula for optimal mornings. The first hour is spent on 20 minutes of exercise, 20 minutes of reflection and 20 minutes of planning or learning.
Though I don't set my alarm for 5am, I am unintentionally awake at that hour often enough to discern the appeal of an early start. With the day stretching languorously ahead, I have the luxury of time to write or work out, or do little.
A week ago, when my eyes opened at 5.05am, I remembered the 20/20/20 strategy.
Denne historien er fra November 03, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra November 03, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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South Korea's defence ministry denies preferential treatment for BTS' V
South Korea's Ministry of National Defence has refuted claims that V, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, received preferential treatment while serving in the military.
K-actor Jung Woo-sung admits to fathering model Moon Ga-bi's child
South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, 51, admitted on Nov 24 that he is the father of South Korean model Moon Ga-bi's child.
Chuck Woolery was the first host of Wheel Of Fortune
Chuck Woolery (right), the affable host of Love Connection, Wheel Of Fortune and other television game shows in the United States, who later criticized liberal values and the US Democratic Party as the co-host of a popular right-wing podcast, died on Nov 23 at his home in Texas. He was 83.
Sole Singaporean contestant Yang Yan eliminated
Idol survival reality show Starlight Boys
Spotlight on two female-directed movies in India
Laapataa Ladies and All We Imagine As Light might have a shot at winning Academy Awards, a rare prospect for the country
For diamond shoppers, yet another choice to make – natural or man-made?
With Thanksgiving marking the unofficial start of engagement season - late November through Valentine's Day is when marriage proposals are common - ring buying is top of mind for many couples considering marriage.
Culture and cuisine in Hanoi
Visit the Vietnamese capital's Opera House and sample offerings from Michelin-starred chefs in Senses of Capella
BUDGET TIPS FOR FAMILY TRIPS
Going abroad? Here are five money-saving hacks for the holidays with your nearest and dearest
How the late Arthur Frommer inspired travellers to 'just do it'
In the 1980s, when I planned my first trip to Europe, I cannot remember which Frommer's travel guidebook I took along.
Tension, pressure, nerve, genius: At the chess c'ship, the wait is worth it
For all the flow of action, all sport involves varied acts of waiting. We wait for the goal in football, the shooter to fire between heartbeats, a snarling Rafael Nadal to uppercut the air in delight.
