“…makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” —Benjamin Franklin

Franklin is among the most famous of the founding fathers, remembered as a great statesman, writer, inventor, scientist, and diplomat. Given his level of achievement in so many fields, it may be worth considering his advice.

 

“Early to bed.” This implies the importance of sleep, without which you cannot focus as well or work as efficiently. The self-perpetuating cycle is brutal, as I typically have to work late into the night for a whole week if even one day is off.

 

Beyond this, I would argue that it also calls for self-restraint. Many people use the late night for drinking, videogames, and social media. While most of this is fine in moderation, it is destructive in excess. Franklin had his own temptations, but he also knew how to prioritize what mattered: his work. Going to bed earlier safeguards against poor choices.

 

“And Early to rise.” Clearly Franklin is not advocating to merely sleep all day, but to actually get things done. A common theme among stoics, philosophers, inventors, and the high-achievers of history is an early wake-up. But why?

 

For most people, the morning hours have the potential to be the most productive, especially following a cold shower and exercise. It feels great to finish a whole day’s work before dinnertime, and have the evening free to play and rest. Good waking habits support good discipline. This leads to the quote’s promised reward.

 

“Makes a [wo]man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” I can demonstrate the exact opposite. On the weekend of State Patty’s Day, I worked 9 to 5 (9 p.m. to 5 a.m., that is). Working for the campus Auxiliary Police, I had to make sure that nobody passed in a bush and died. These shifts trashed my sleep schedule.

 

I went to bed at 8 a.m. and woke up at 10:30 one morning, arriving late for a midterm review. The next day I was late for an interview, as sleep deprivation strangled me. Five days after the work shift, I was late for my midterm itself on Friday, locked myself out of my room, and therefore arrived late for a very important meeting with some UPUA members.

That week was utterly shameful for me. I hurt my image and my grade. My output and health both suffered. Since the start of Spring Break, I have been waking up between 6 and 7:30 a.m. My productivity feels unmatched, and my body feels better rested. It isn’t for nothing that most generals, Wall Street executives, and even presidents rise before the sun.

 

I believe that fixing my sleep schedule is the most important change to cement in my life right now. It will make or break your productivity.

 

Go forth and conquer!