The 5AM Club for high achievers? A little later won't matter

From tech CEOs to cultural icons, early-morning routines have become ritualised for success. The key, perhaps, lies in maximising your time, your way.

- Lee Siew Hua

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.