If My Alarm Clock Is The Key To Success, I May As Well Go Back To Bed

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Alarm clock

I’m a night-owl by nature.  My body clock is set so that I get a natural rush of energy in the late afternoon.  When most of my coworkers are winding down, I’m revving up to crank out the work.  This happens again around 9 pm. If I’m not careful, I can easily be up until midnight or later.

Hubby is programmed the same way.  The good news is that our wake/sleep schedules are compatible. The bad news is that our snooze alarms go off for at least an hour in the morning.  Prying us out of bed is next to impossible.  The dog has given up on ever getting her breakfast at a decent hour.

We’ve tried everything to switch our body clocks but have come to the realization that we are night people.  And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Except Forbes just wrote a piece that basically says to be super successful one has to be an early riser, stating that morning people have been found to be more productive and proactive than those of us who prefer to work in the evening.

According to the article, this is a common trait among CEO’s, government officials and other influential people.  Examples of successful early risers include Margaret Thatcher, Frank Lloyd Wright and Disney CEO Roger Iger.

Well, I can explain these three: Margaret Thatcher lived in London where the weather is all sorts of gloomy.  If she wanted to see the sun she probably had to watch it rise.  Frank Lloyd Wright was living outside at his various Taliesin sites, communing with nature to create the perfect building.  And Roger Iger has to be up; he’s got all those kids and parents pounding at the park gates to get in to the rides.

To entice us to be more successful, Forbes lists 5 things super successful people do before 8 am.  I’m here to tell you why this will not work.

EXERCISE

Forbes says: Exercising before work gives you a boost of energy for the day and that deserved sense of accomplishment. Anyone can tackle a pile of paperwork after 200 ab reps! Morning workouts also eliminate the possibility of flaking out on your cardio after a long day at work.

I Say: First, it’s difficult and dangerous to exercise when you are still asleep.  Treadmills and weights require a certain amount of attention.  Besides, my hair looks terrible and I smell bad in the morning.  The only sense of accomplishment I get from a morning workout is that I get to pick up a cappuccino and donut on the way home, negating the positive effect of the workout. So you can see why exercising in the morning is a bad idea.

MAP OUT YOUR DAY

Forbes says: Basically what they mean is to get your to-do list and thoughts in order during the quiet time before others are up and at the office.  With uninterrupted time, you can also solve some problems.  They also suggest planning a 10 minute break in your schedule to walk around the block or meditate during the day.

I say:  So I’m supposed to sleep peacefully trying to remember the stuff to put on my to-do list in the morning? Sounds like a nightmare to me. Better to scribble to-dos on a Post-It and stick on my computer before leaving the office.  Ever try meditating at work? Especially in a cubicle?  The stares from co-workers and comments like, “Is she alive?” are not conducive to becoming one with the office and at peace with that nasty to-do list.

EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST

Forbes says: Take extra time in the morning to fuel your body for the tasks ahead of it. It will help keep your mind on what’s at hand and not your growling stomach.

I say: Would love to have time for this, Forbes.  I’ll get back to you when I get a personal chef to cook for me.  Right now I’ll have to stick with to-go items like granola bars and coffee in a travel mug, or if I’m lucky a piece of toast.  Even the dog is happy if I just remember to throw some kibble in her bowl.

VISUALIZATION

Forbes says: Take a moment to visualize your day ahead of you, focusing on the successes you will have. Even just a minute of visualization and positive thinking can help improve your mood and outlook on your work load for the day.

I say: I’ve nailed this one.  In fact, I’m visualizing my day right now.  It’s going to be crazy busy, with the phones ringing off the hook, an in-box with 100 emails and a series of unplanned meetings that rip my to-do list out of my hands.  Somehow this visualization exercise has not improved my mood.  Duh.

MAKE YOUR DAY TOP HEAVY

Forbes says: Here’s an easy tip to save yourself the stress – do that least desirable task on your list first. …. The morning is the time when you are (generally) more well-rested and your energy level is up. Therefore, you are more well-equipped to handle more difficult projects. And look at it this way, your day will get progressively easier, not the other way around. By the time your work day is ending, you’re winding down with easier to dos and heading into your free time more relaxed. Success!

I Say:  Here’s a better idea: let’s just forget about that least desirable task altogether, shall we? First thing in the morning I haven’t had enough coffee yet to read the paper much less handle anything important and undesirable.  Besides, my entire day is heavy.  Sweeping that task under the rug isn’t going to hurt anyone, is it?  Out of sight and out of mind equals success, right?

I certainly respect Forbes’ POV on this subject.  But I’m sure you agree that my way is better.

How Shopping and Fashion Helps Me With My Job Search

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It’s no secret that I love fashion.  Hip, fashionable clothing and accessories make me feel like I’m on top of the world.  I feel better about myself when I’m confident in my looks, and staying in fashion always helps me in this regard.  Yep, nothing like a new pair of shoes, a new outfit or some new bling to make this girl feel great. 

I’ve learned a lot about fashion over the years, especially what works for me and what doesn’t.  Things like proper fit, accessorizing in proportion to my size and what constitutes a great handbag.  Success, when it comes to fashion, means understanding that while something may be “in” and look great on others, if it doesn’t look good or work for me, then it’s not going to do one thing for me confidence-wise.  Not to mention the stares I would receive walking down the street.  Nicki Minaj is willing to go where no person should go when it comes to fashion, but for most of us that kind of styling is just wrong on so many levels.   

It’s amazing how this can be applied to my job search/career.  

  • Shoes – For me, shoes can be summed up in one word: fit.  Despite what many will tell you, most shoes will not magically “stretch” to fit better.  If they are not comfortable in the store, they will not get better at home.  My feet have experienced enough blisters trying this.  With narrow feet I have difficulty finding stylish (read “hip”) shoes that will stay on my feet.  Oh, I can find narrow shoes – as long as I don’t mind plain, utilitarian, granny shoes.  Ick!   When I do find shoes that are both stylish and stay on my feet, I will pay almost any price for them – and purchase them in multiple colors.

 

  • Handbags – Architects tend to argue “form over function”.  So do fashion designers. Yet those of us who must schlep our necessities, including 3 shades of lipstick need more than good form. When it comes to handbags there should be a balance; the bag must look good but also be functional, with enough pockets and zippers as well as a comfortable handle/strap.

 

  • Clothing – So much to say here.  Let’s start with overall fit – with everything from petite to plus sizes; juniors, slim fit, low rise, etc. – there is almost enough variety to make things work right off the rack.  I’m not a fan of alterations, which in some cases means almost remaking the item entirely.  If it doesn’t fit properly to begin with, why try to force it?                                                                                                         Same thing with the styles.  Runway fashion is not for the masses.  Not to mention that those six foot tall, 90 lb models could wear a trash bag and make it look great.  For the rest of us, we have to work with our body type.  Age-appropriate clothing is another thing.  While I don’t 100% agree that I need to dress a certain way because I’m slightly older than fresh out of college, there are some styles that are just plain wrong for anyone over the age of 35.  Yes, I can still shop at Forever 21. I just make sure to put my age-filter glasses on to avoid choosing the wrong pieces.  I certainly don’t want to show up wearing the exact same outfit as my college-aged nieces.

So what does any of this have to do with my career?  

  • The company and job have to be right for me.  Just like shoes, fit is everything. If anything – company culture, job responsibilities, commute – is not a fit, then it’s not the right opportunity.  As with my quest for stylish shoes in my size, it may take time to find the right job, but when I do, it’s worth the effort.

 

  • Like a great handbag, there has to be the right mix of “form and function”: the right blend of opportunity, responsibilities and benefits that work for me as well as the company.

 

  • Unlike clothing, companies cannot be altered to fit my needs.  None of us should expect the company or boss to suddenly change because we’ve been hired.  If the culture is not something I feel comfortable in, that’s not a good sign – almost as much as the type of work I’ll be doing.  Just like fashion, I can try to be “one of them” by wearing the same styles, yet it probably won’t work in the long run.

Who knew that all that time spent at the mall was actually good for my career?  Remember: good fit applies to work as well as a great outfit.