This week’s Welcome Wednesday guest post by James Prescott, hits close to home for me. Recently when I asked God for two more hours in the day, He gave them to me. I agreed to get up and get busy writing when He woke me up. The next morning it was 4:30 a.m. Really God?

I do think God sometimes has a sense of humor in the way He answers our prayers. Most mornings it’s around 5:30 a.m. Last Sunday, after a busy week, it was 7:30 a.m. Even though I didn’t have to get up until 9:30 a.m., I rolled out of bed per my agreement with the Big Guy.

I believe James is a little more intentional than me about the time he wakes up. He’s a writer from the United Kingdom so we won’t hold it against him when he spells color, colour. It’s just the way those English are.

Sunrise over Hyde Park in London.

Did you know a lot of times, the sun isn’t even awake at 6 a.m.? That’s right, today, April 10, 2013, in Sutton, near London, England, where I live, the sun stayed in bed until 6:16 a.m. Why should I get up first?

I’m not a morning person. I never have been. I wouldn’t say I’m someone who likes to lazily sleep in till 10 a.m., but I’m also not someone who naturally rises at 6 a.m., either. I get up early to go to work, but I never get properly awake until about 8 or 9 a.m.

I also have a medical condition, epilepsy, which in my case is linked to my tiredness and lack of sleep. So, I even have a legitimate excuse for sleeping in.

The final icing on this cake; this is my day off. I don’t have to be anywhere today.

Here I am, at 6.47 a.m. on my day off, sitting at my desk writing. And, yes, I got up at 6 a.m.

Why would I, or anyone, willingly sacrifice a nice lie-in on a day off or on any day, for that matter?

It’s all about productivity

It’s simple. I want to live a more productive life. I want to make the most of my time.

There was once a writer called Stephen who got up early each day before going to work and wrote one page. It was the only time he had to write each day. He disciplined himself to get up and write every day.

Who is this Stephen guy and what became of him? Well, if I tell you his surname was King, it might give you a clue.

His success wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t discipline himself to get up early.

I’m not saying I’m going to turn out like Stephen King, though I confess, there is a part of me which would love to sell as many books. The lesson is, if we want to be more productive, we need to maximize our time.

Successful habits

Statistics say most really successful people are those who are up early. They are “morning people.” I’ve lost count of the number of writers and leaders I’ve heard talk about getting up early to work, on a regular basis.

Getting up early is not about avoiding having fun. It’s about maximizing your time.

We waste too much time. We watch too much TV, browse the internet and engage in 101 other meaningless distractions. None of these, done excessively, help us grow.

If we manage our time well, there’s plenty of time to have fun. One of the benefits of being single is being able to choose what I do. One day, this will change and my life will be more crowded.

If I learn to manage my time well now, I’ll be in a place where I’ll be better able to manage these changes and still be productive.

It’s still only 7:02 a.m. and I’ve written over 600 words. This is only the first day for me. I already feel more productive.

The most from life

I want to get the most out of life. Don’t you?

You don’t have to commit to getting up at 5 or 6 a.m. every day, just make a commitment to manage your time better. Make some decisions and stick to them.

You’ll find you get much more out of life. You’ll feel more fulfilled. I know I do after writing.

What actions help you get the most out of your life?

James Prescott is a writer and author from Sutton, near London, UK. He blogs regularly at JamesPrescott.co.uk. He recently released his first e-book, ‘5 Steps to Encouragement: A Manifesto for Changing the World’ which can be obtained free here.

Teresa Shields Parker

Teresa Shields Parker is a Christian weight loss author, coach, podcaster, and speaker, who has lost 250 pounds and kept it off since 2013. Her books include: “Reconnecting Jayne: Her Sister’s Support,” “Rebuilding Jayne: Her Father’s Protection,”  “Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor,” “Sweet Grace Study Guide,”  “Sweet Victory: Winning the Battle,” “Sweet Surrender: Breaking Strongholds,” “Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy”, “Sweet Freedom: Losing Weight and Keeping It Off With God’s Help,” “Sweet Freedom Study Guide,” “Sweet Change: True Stories of Transformation,” “Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God,” and “Sweet Excuses: Stop Lying to Yourself & Start Losing Weight.” She also offers Overcomers Christian Weight Loss Academy and VIP intensive coaching. Don’t miss her weekly podcast, Sweet Grace for Your Journey, where she shares tips from her personal journey of losing weight and discovering healthy living. Contact her at [email protected].