Embracing the 5 AM Club: How Early Mornings Supercharged My Day

There’s something quite magical about being up before the world wakes. That’s what I discovered after reading The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma.

The book promises transformation if you join the ranks of early risers, and to be honest, I was sceptical.

For most of my adult life, I’ve told myself that I’m a night owl. Staying up late was just what I did, and the idea of getting up at 5 AM? Well, it felt like a whole other world—definitely not for me.

But here’s the thing: we’re often the product of the stories we tell ourselves, and once I started to understand the psychology and neuroscience behind habits, things really began to shift.

The Magic of Mornings - 5am Club

The idea behind The 5 AM Club is to dedicate the first hour of your day to personal growth, splitting it between exercise, reflection, and learning. Waking up early isn’t just about having extra time—it’s about setting yourself up with intention. The science behind it backs this up too.

Our brains reward us with a lovely hit of dopamine when we achieve something, even if it’s small. So, starting the day with a win, like heading to the gym or having a few minutes of mindfulness, gives you that dopamine boost. It feels good and sets the tone for the rest of your day. For me, I noticed it straight away—after my early morning workouts, I felt more energised and productive, tackling my work with a clearer head.

Changing the Story - what about CBT?

For years, I’d convinced myself I wasn’t a morning person. It was just who I was. But as I’ve learned more about how our brains work, especially through my work as a solution focused hypnotherapist,

I’ve realised we have the power to change these narratives. Our brains are constantly adapting and creating new neural pathways—a concept known as neuroplasticity. The stories we tell ourselves, like “I’m not a morning person,” become ingrained, but they can be rewritten.

This links closely with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which I often use with my clients. Our thoughts drive our feelings, and in turn, our behaviours. I had spent so long thinking I wasn’t an early riser that my brain had accepted it as fact. But by simply setting my alarm and sticking to it, I started creating new habits, and eventually, those early mornings felt like they were mine.

The Role of Brain Chemistry

Now, it’s not just dopamine that’s involved here. Our bodies naturally have a surge of cortisol—the stress hormone—in the morning to help wake us up. By getting up early and doing something stimulating, like exercising or practising mindfulness, we help balance that cortisol spike. So, you’re not only reducing stress but also setting yourself up for a day where your brain is primed for focus and creativity.

In my work, I talk a lot about the neuroscience of happiness. Happiness isn’t necessarily about big, life-changing events but rather the small, consistent actions that trigger positive brain chemistry.

By starting my day with a sense of achievement, I was creating a string of little wins throughout the day. It’s this regular pattern that builds sustainable happiness, something I always aim to help my clients achieve.

Final Thoughts

What I’ve learnt from embracing the 5 AM Club is that we really can change the way we think about ourselves and our habits, and it’s all thanks to the brain’s amazing ability to rewire itself. By shifting my mindset, balancing my brain chemistry, and starting each day with intention, I’ve found myself feeling more productive and—dare I say it—happier.

So, if you’ve been telling yourself a story that’s holding you back, maybe it’s time to challenge it. Whether it’s waking up earlier, tackling a goal, or making time for yourself, our brains are more flexible than we think.

And if you need support in making that shift, solution focused hypnotherapy can help rewire those thought patterns and create real, lasting change.

Now, I’m off to set my alarm for 5 AM—what story will you rewrite tomorrow?