The 5 AM Test
It’s easy to fall into the trap of your own routine, where every morning feels like a carbon copy of the last.
The beep of your alarm clock becomes the unwelcome soundtrack to your existence.
It sounds depressing, doesn’t it?
But how often are you the one laying in bed dreading getting out of your warm blanket to face the day?
Sometimes it’s just easier to hit the snooze button and fall back asleep for that extra 10 minutes of uninterrupted sleep.
I know that I do it, and I’m sure you do too.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about getting an insufficient amount of sleep.
Sleep is important.
If you're not getting enough of it, I’d recommend fixing that stat.
What I am talking about, isn’t about sleep at all, it’s about being awake.
It’s about living.
Why is it that you can wake up at the crack of dawn – without an alarm clock – when you need to get onto a plane for a long-anticipated vacation? Or when the waves are just right, for a morning surf? Or when you plan on getting up before sunrise for an early morning hunt? Or when you want to train jiu jitsu before you have to head to the office?
These are moments that waking up early feels effortless, not a chore.
One way I like to make sure I am living (not just existing) is to conduct the 5 AM Test.
The premise of the 5 AM Test is simple: evaluate your activities* (or people) based on whether or not you'd willingly wake up at 5 AM to do them (or with them).
Note: It doesn’t matter if you do these activities in the morning or in the evening, just imagine that the ONLY time you COULD do them was in the morning.
If an activity passes the test, it's a sign that it resonates with your interests, passions, and values.
Consider the activities that bring you the most fulfillment. Perhaps it's spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing a hobby you're passionate about, or engaging in meaningful work that aligns with your values. These are the activities that pass the 5 AM Test because they ignite a sense of purpose and excitement.
On the flip side, think about the tasks that feel like a burden or drain your energy.
Maybe it's a job that leaves you feeling uninspired, a project that doesn't align with your goals, or obligations that you've taken on out of a sense of duty rather than genuine interest. These are the activities that fail the 5 AM Test because they lack the intrinsic motivation to propel you out of bed with enthusiasm.
By applying the 5 AM Test to various aspects of your life, you gain valuable insights into what matters.
It’s simple self-audit to make sure you are living a life of your choosing.
Use it to prioritize activities that align with your values while letting go of those that no longer serve you.
If you can't imagine voluntarily waking up early to engage in a particular task, it may be worth reassessing its place in your life.
This doesn't mean abandoning responsibilities altogether; rather, it's about finding ways to infuse purpose into every aspect of your life.
Imagine a life where every day feels like waking up on Christmas morning—a sense of excitement and anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead.
That's the essence of the 5 AM Test: to guide you towards an extraordinary life.
Next time you're evaluating how to spend your time and energy, ask yourself: Does this activity (person or place) pass the 5 AM Test?
If not, consider whether it's truly worth your time and attention.
Life is too short to waste on activities (or people) that don't light a fire within you.
Choose wisely.
Own the Process,
Tim
Author of Mastery Monday
Student & Founder
