Dawn to Destiny: How Early Mornings Shaped My Life

I can still hear my father’s serious tone as he repeated, “The early bird catches the worm.” This phrase, ingrained in my childhood memories, reflects a tough period in my life. But, in the long run, I’ve benefited tremendously from the habit of rising early.

Growing up in a farmer’s family, our weekends always began with an early start. All farmwork had to be done manually. Farming in my hometown was far from the idyllic experience people might imagine. Observing agricultural practices in North America or other developed countries feels like watching a leisurely activity – farmers operating tractors and machines comfortably while irrigation systems do the heavy lifting when it comes to watering. In contrast, farming in my childhood hometown in the Uyghur land was labor-intensive and demanding.

During my elementary and middle school years, my parents usually woke us up at 6am, two hours before school started. So, what would we do in these two hours? We’d take our sheep to graze in the fields during summer or prepare their food in the barn during winter. Tending 30-40 sheep daily was no easy task, usually taking about an hour. After breakfast, I’d walk to elementary school or bike to middle school, switching to walking during snowy winters.

Weekends and summer breaks were filled with farm work since there was no school. Rising at 6am, we’d feed the sheep before our own breakfast, then head to the fields to work from 8am to 8pm. Surprisingly, we still had energy to play with other kids afterward. I recall having only half day off (You can guess what I did during that half day off.) during the entire two-month summer break, working 59.5 days from dawn to dusk. That was our norm, and I could only dream of having a break day.

The concept of “naturally waking up” was foreign to me throughput my childhood. Regardless of the season or day of the week, early mornings were mandatory. I still vividly recall those mornings when I witnessed the sun rising, painting the sky with breathtaking hues.

My last year of middle school brought a new challenge. Around that time, my father bought a property near my school, and I lived there alone during weekdays at the age of 13 or 14. Looking back, it’s astonishing how I managed – cooking for myself, sleeping alone, and attending school independently. There was no TV or phone, and when fear crept in during the nights, I’d play music on an old record player for comfort.

Even in this new living situation, I maintained my early rising habit. Without sheep to care for, I dedicated my mornings to studying. I’d pace slowly, book in hand, and memorizing content for various subjects. This practice was crucial to academic success in a school system that heavily emphasized rote learning.

The self-discipline I developed this time laid the foundation for my future success. As Aristotle (or, Will Durant) said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Rising early had become second nature to me, contributing significantly to my academic achievements. I eventually scored highest in the high school entrance exam in our region, earning a spot at a prestigious high school thousands of miles away when I was 15.

High school brought a new morning routine that felt almost military in its precision. Living in a dormitory with seven other students, we were woken up at 6am by blaring music. Good luck with continuing your sleep with this music on. A mandatory morning run followed, with a clever system in place to ensure its participation. For me, accustomed to early mornings, this routine was never a problem. I was often the first to complete the run, giving me extra time to study before classes began.

My first two university years initially saw a relaxation of this habit, but by my third year, I returned to rising early. I’d study English and prepare for exams while walking along the campus lake, reminiscent of my middle school days. Although I now recognize that my learning methods weren’t ideal, the discipline of early mornings continued to serve me well. In my final year of college, I focused on preparing for my graduate school entrance exams because I wanted to pursue my master’s degree. Once again, my early rising habit allowed me to study while others slept. Despite my efforts, I didn’t pass the exam – a failure that taught me the importance of not just working hard, but also learning how to learn effectively.

This setback led me to stay in the university city for an additional year after graduation, determined to try again. This year presented another challenge as I had to work to support myself while preparing for graduate school entrance exams once more. I continued waking up early, either to commute to my distant workplace, or to study at the university school library. Eventually, my persistence paid off and I was admitted to a graduate school program in a different city.

I began my three-year graduate program in 2010. While the first term was filled with course work and didn’t require early rising, a conversation with a close friend from high school in the winter of 2010 changed my trajectory. My friend, pursuing a Ph.D. in the US, strongly encouraged me to apply for Ph.D. programs there. The application process was daunting, requiring multiple exams (TOEFL/IELTS and GMAT or GRE), comprehensive application dossiers, and the task of identifying ideal schools to apply to. With only about a year to complete all these tasks, I once again switched back to my early rising routine.

Every day, I was the first to arrive at the library, kickstarting my day with Ph.D. application work. I took the TOEFL exam three times and the GMAT twice to achieve the required scores. My days were long, characterized by early mornings and late nights. Even when I stayed up late researching schools and programs in the US, I always woke up at 6 AM to start my day.

Despite my hard work and countless early morning study sessions, I initially failed to secure admission to a US Ph.D. program in business. Undeterred, I immediately resumed my efforts, determined to try again. Fortunately, I still had one more year in my master’s program, allowing me to continue preparing for Ph.D. applications while completing my studies. After another year of early morning routines and late-night web searches, in February 2013, I received an offer letter with a full scholarship from the Ph.D. program in Business at Washington State University. My dream had come true, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the power of my mornings.

I arrived in the US in mid-August 2013, filled with excitement and anticipation. However, reality quickly set in. My semester was packed with five challenging courses and a 20-hour teaching assistantship, which involved teaching business statistics to sophomore students in a lab setting. The heavy course load and frequent assignments were reminiscent of my high school days, presenting challenges I had never experienced before.

To succeed in the program, I had to elevate my my routine to a new level. This was when I started rising at 5am, giving me an extra hour to study and prepare for my day. In my first year of the Ph.D. program, I would wake up at 5 AM, eat breakfast, and walk to school. My days were long, often returning to my apartment around midnight on the last campus bus. Looking back, I realize I was surviving on about 5 hours of sleep during those intense days.

In my second year, I added exercise to my daily routine. After some experimentation, I discovered that morning was the best time for me to work out consistently. The school gym opened at 5:30am, which aligned perfectly with my routine. I would rise at 5:00am, walk to the gym, exercise for an hour, and then head to school. By 7:30am, I was at school, still ahead of most people.

It took me five years to earn my Ph.D. degree, and throughout this period, my early morning routine was instrumental in my success. I was able to dedicate more time to studying, preparing for classes, and excelling in my coursework. While others struggled to incorporate exercise into their daily lives, I completed my workout first thing in the morning, feeling energized and motivated to start my day.

After completing my Ph.D. program, I accepted a faculty position at a prestigious business school in Canada in July 2018. This new chapter brought its new set of challenges, particularly in teaching. The case-based teaching method, diverse and brilliant students, and new course content required extensive preparation. During my first semester, I would wake up at 4:30am, walk to my office, and spend about 20 hours preparing for each 80-min class.

My hard work paid off, with students generally appreciating the course and my teaching. While there was room for improvement, I felt I had given my maximum effort to every class throughout the term. My early morning hours contributed significantly to this success, pushing me further in my endeavors.

Over the past six years as a faculty member, my morning routine has evolved into its current form:

  • Wake up at 4:30 AM
  • Read for 30 minutes
  • Exercise at the gym from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM
  • Return home, have coffee, and walk to school

This routine ensures I accomplish the most important things in my life first thing in the morning. By noon, I feel I’ve already achieved so much.

Reflecting on my journey, I acknowledge that my childhood morning routines were challenging. However, those experiences built the habit of beginning my day early, a practice that has helped me throughout my life – from tending sheep to excelling in education and my career. Now, rising early is my default setting, even on weekends. I can’t imagine starting my day any other way.

My father’s words still echo in my mind: “The early bird catches the worm.” Indeed, this proverb has proven true throughout my life’s journey, shaping my success and personal growth in ways I could never have imagined. As I reflect on my journey from a young boy tending sheep in the Uyghur land to a professor in a prestigious Canadian university, I’m struck by the constant thread that has woven through my life: the power of mornings. Each dawn has presented me (all of us) with a choice – to rise and seize the day or to remain dormant. Time and again, I chose to rise, and that choice made all the difference.

My story is not about superhuman discipline or sacrificing joy for success. It’s about discovering that our greatest potential often lies in those quiet hours when the world is still asleep. It’s about realizing that each morning offers us a fresh canvas, a fresh 24 hours, a chance to paint the life we aspire to live.

To those reading this, I encourage you to find your own “morning power”. It does not have to mirror mine – perhaps your ideal start is at 6:00am or even 7:00am. The time isn’t as important as the intention and consistency behind it. Ask yourself: What could you achieve if you gifted yourself an extra hour each day, or even an extra 30 minutes each day? What dreams could you nurture? What strengths could you develop?

Remember, great achievements are often the result of small, consistent actions compounded over time. Your morning routine could be the key to unlocking opportunities you’ve never imagined. It might be challenging at first, but as you persist, you’ll find that you’re not just changing your schedule – you’re transforming your life.

So, as you close this page and move on with your day, I challenge you to set your alarm a little earlier tomorrow. Embrace the stillness of the morning, breathe in the potential of a new day, and take that first step towards your own transformative journey.

The early bird doesn’t just catch the worm – it soars to new heights. Your wings are ready. Will you take flight?

THE END

1 comment

  1. I’m truly moved by your story and the deep reflection on your journey. Your early mornings have not only shaped your success, but they’ve also become a symbol of discipline, perseverance, and hope. Reading this reminded me that it’s the small, consistent efforts that lead to great change. Thank you for sharing such a personal and inspiring piece – it’s a powerful reminder for all of us to embrace each morning and keep pushing forward.

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