It’s the unglamorous hour, the moment when the world is still draped in silence, and only a rare breed of lunatics voluntarily emerge from the warm cocoon of sleep. I used to think these people were borderline insane—until I became one of them.
My initiation into the 4 AM club was unintentional. In my early working days working for a woman running an internet startup, she would routinely ping me at ungodly hours, expecting fully formed, coherent thoughts before dawn. At the time, I couldn’t fathom why anyone would willingly do this to themselves. And yet, here I am, decades later, religiously waking up before the sun, savouring the quiet, and getting a head start while the rest of the world snoozes.
Every morning, my eyes snap open at 4 AM. No alarm set—this is pure muscle memory now. From the comfort of my bed, overlooking the endless stretch of turquoise Indian Ocean , I dive straight into work. No commute, no distractions, just me, my laptop. All windows open, the breeze is coming in which is so welcome as already at 08.00 we hit 30 degrees and 100% humidity!
The beauty of the 4 AM club is its ruthless efficiency. Those first two hours are mine, completely undisturbed. No incoming calls, no notifications dragging me into the abyss of other people’s problems. Just raw, unfiltered productivity. It’s a game-changer. While most people stumble into their day groggy-eyed and reactive, I’ve already knocked out half a day’s work before they’ve even had their first sip of coffee.
At 6 AM, it’s time to trade the laptop for my stand-up paddleboard. I glide across the glassy turquoise waters, the first light of day painting the sky in hues of gold and pink. There’s something almost meditative about it—just me, the ocean, and if lucky enough i spot a dolphin or a turtle.
It’s my reward for getting up at an hour most consider absurd, and let me tell you, it’s worth every minute.
By 10 AM, I’m back, refuelled with breakfast, and diving into another three hours of work. The difference now? The world has woken up, distractions start creeping in, and my focus isn’t as razor-sharp as it was in those sacred early hours. But because I’ve already banked so much progress, I can afford to be a little more flexible.
Joining the 4 AM club isn’t for the faint-hearted. It takes discipline, a touch of madness, and a good espresso machine. But the payoff? Unparalleled focus, a head start on the world, and the sheer satisfaction of watching the sunrise while others are still drooling into their pillows. It’s a skill, a mindset, and once mastered, it’s addictive.