For years, my Ramadan early mornings followed the same pattern. Wake up before dawn, eat something, and then go straight back to bed. During Ramadan, this felt necessary, especially with long days ahead. But this year, something changed. Instead of crawling back to bed, I decided to stay awake and wow, what a difference it has made. Waking up at 4am and staying awake has completely transformed my productivity, mindset, and overall energy levels.
By the time most people are just waking up, I have already reset my home, answered emails, and completed work tasks. By mid-morning, it feels like I have already won the day. Here is why waking up at 4am has been such a game changer and why you might want to try it too.
A Head Start on the Day
One of the biggest benefits of waking up early is feeling ahead before the world even starts moving. By early morning, I have already cleared so many tasks that used to weigh on me throughout the day. The sense of accomplishment is immense. There is something powerful about knowing you are ahead of schedule. When you do not have a backlog of tasks piling up, your mind feels lighter, and you can approach the rest of the day with more clarity and focus.
Deep, Uninterrupted Focus
The early morning hours are unbelievably quiet. No phone notifications, no emails flooding in, no distractions. It is just me, my tasks, and my thoughts. Whether it is answering emails, writing, or strategising for my business, these uninterrupted hours allow me to work with a level of concentration that is almost impossible to achieve later in the day. In a world full of distractions, finding true deep work time is rare. But in the early hours, it comes naturally. By mid-morning, I have often accomplished more than I used to by mid-afternoon.
A Fresh Start Every Day
Resetting my home in the early hours has become an unexpected but incredibly satisfying habit. Washing machine has been done, the space is tidy, and everything is in order before the day even properly begins. There is something mentally refreshing about starting the day with a clean environment. It sets the tone for everything else.
This habit has also helped me develop a better relationship with my personal space. I used to leave tidying up until later in the day, but getting it done early creates a sense of order that makes everything else run smoother.
Better Time Management
The biggest shift I have noticed is how my perception of time has changed. When you wake up at 4am and start your day with purpose, your day feels longer in the best way possible. By midday, I am already through most of my workload, leaving the rest of the day open for meetings, creative work, or even just unwinding without guilt.
I no longer feel like I am rushing or trying to squeeze in tasks. Instead, I operate from a place of control and intention. That alone has reduced so much stress and mental fatigue.
More Energy, Not Less
You might think waking up so early would make me exhausted. Surprisingly, it has done the opposite. My energy levels have actually improved. Instead of feeling sluggish in the morning, I feel sharp and motivated. It turns out how you start your day really does shape the rest of it.
Of course, this only works if you are disciplined with sleep. I have tried to adjust my routine to ensure I get enough rest (thats been tricky I have to say), but going to bed earlier where possible and waking up before sunrise has created a rhythm that leaves me feeling more refreshed than ever before.
A Stronger Mindset
There is a certain mental toughness that develops when you commit to an early wake-up time. Choosing to maximise those early hours instead of sleeping through them has built an even stronger mindset.
I have learned that productivity is not about cramming more into your day. It is about being intentional with your time. And waking up at 4am forces you to be intentional. You are not mindlessly scrolling or wasting time. You are actively shaping your day before most people even open their eyes.
Should You Try It?
I never thought I would be someone who would wakes up at 4am and stays awake. But now, I would not trade it for anything. The clarity, the productivity, the sense of achievement – it has been life-changing.
If you are struggling with productivity, feeling overwhelmed, or just looking for a way to take more control of your day, try it. Even if it is just for a week. You might be surprised at how much of a difference it makes. For me, what started as a simple will that has turned into a complete mindset shift. And honestly, I do not see myself going back. I will definitely be aiming to keep up this mindset shift and continue to wake up early even when Ramadan is over.