I feel like i'm closer to making every day somewhat more productive. I have been struggling for a while with a mindset in which i was listening to the powerful excuses. Things like "just lie in bed for 5 more mins" (never ends up just being 5 mins) - "you can just watch one youtube video" - "no need to do that now".. this has actually been happening on a more or lesser degree for many years. change sometimes happens, but never lasts long.

This seems to be where getting up early comes into play. It gives a t least a few hours each day, before other people are awake, and also gives me a chance to practice discipline against the thoughts that i'm trying to change. That shift in mindset seemed to help too, taking it as an opportunity to practice discipline.

A big struggle at the start. i did cave the first few days, but that was a few fails which highlighted how forceful them thoughts were.
I now use the first few hours of the day to stretch (usually takes about 45 mins) and to write in a journal / plan what I need to get done that day. I've been very slow, and so far have watched a few youtube videos on the morning and also been on social media. but i'm now transitioning to blocking using my phone until 9am.

it seems to be that during the day too, i'm doing less procrastination, i'll find a thought arising to defer from doing a set task, which i'll then notice, and not listen to it. Hopefully this will be a long term change into the future, as it feels very good.

Has anyone else had any good improvements from changing their routine to getting up early?