I like to consider myself a morning person but if you ask any of my coworkers, I am anything but.
It’s not because I have to be at work ridiculously early – we don’t work until 10 a.m. – and it has nothing to do with being tired. I pop awake at 7:30 every morning (without an alarm clock) and by 8:15 a.m., I’m working out at the beach or gym, so I’ve got my adrenaline and endorphins flowing. It just has to do with truly relishing the calm before the storm – quietly going about my morning routine of checking e-mail, scanning headlines and understanding my to-do list before the day unfolds into conversations, meetings, new projects or deadlines.
Of course, if there’s a morning meeting or if I have to appear peppy and cheery for the VIPs, I can most certainly put on a happy face. Overall though, mornings are sacred in my book. Maybe it’s the opportunity to start over or maybe it’s the element of surprise — the idea that anything can happen. But for me, it’s a time of empowerment when I can get organized and mentally prepared for whatever comes my way that day.
Studies have shown, however, that genetics does indeed play a role in whether you’re an early bird or night owl. And after talking to my 40-something-year-old cousin yesterday, I swear it must be in our genes because he’s the same way, if not worse. He has actually received complaints from patients for his less-than-congenial demeanor in the morning. But he told me that any other time of day, he’s an entertaining, upbeat, pleasurable person to converse with… Just don’t mess with him before noon!
