How I did it: Having Pancake along really helped - I don't know if I could have done this alone!  We just told our friends that we wouldn't be so available to hang out in the evenings because our bedtime would be 10pm.  (That worked for the first three or four days ... after that it was more like 10:30 ... 11 ...) And we set the alarm for six, and were always (except maybe once) up by 6:30.  It instantly added time to our day.  Now we're semi-following this schedule (less strictly) and continuing to benefit from the productivity of morning energy.   

Lessons & tips: Be prepared for the effect it will have on your social life.  Seek out friends who are also morning-oriented.  Start the day with some invigorating activity such as running or yoga.  Resist the snooze button.   

Resources: Morning pages, alarm clock, willing participant of a spouse.

May 21, 2011, 03:36AM PDT | 2 comments | 6 cheers