5 Benefits of Joining the 5 am Club Morning Routine

The 5 am Morning Routine nurtures wholesome personal growth by strengthening the mind, body, and soul. Developed by author Robin Sharma, the concept behind the 5 am Club is simple: start your day with purpose by prioritising self-care, self-development, and spiritual wellness.

Dear Spirited Earthling,

The thought of waking up at 5 am is abhorrent to many people, so the idea of joining the 5 am Club can be an easy no. I am sharing this morning routine anyway, because it is a holistic approach that truly can support wholesome personal growth. It is widely accepted that starting your day with intention sets the tone for how you experience the day ahead. Author Robin Sharma’s 5 am Club morning routine helps you start your day with purpose as you prioritise the three pillars of this blog – self-development, self-care, and spirituality.

Why Morning Routines are Important

Before getting into what the 5 am Club routine entails, understand why morning routines are important:

• Increasing Productivity: A structured morning routine helps you start your day with purpose and intention, leading to increased productivity throughout the day.

• Reducing Stress: By planning and implementing a consistent routine, you reduce decision fatigue and lessen morning stress.

• Improving Mental Health: Morning routines that include activities like meditation, journaling, and exercise contribute to a stronger and healthier state of mind.

• Bettering Physical Health: Incorporating healthy habits like hydration, nutritious breakfast, and exercise into your morning routine can improve overall physical health.

• Promoting Focus and Clarity: A well-designed morning routine can help clear your mind and improve focus for the tasks ahead.

While the routine itself is likely less important than simply having one, the concept and guidelines the 5 am Club provides can be incredibly beneficial on your wholesome personal growth journey.

Related read: Reclaim Your Mornings with these Personalised and Informative Morning Routine Ideas

What is the 5 am Club?

The 5 am Club is the brainchild of Robin Sharma, introduced in his book Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life. The book follows two mentees guided by a mentor who teaches them about the power of the 5 am Club. One mentee is an on-the-go businesswoman (high-strung, Type A kind of person) and the other is an artist who goes where life takes him (care-free, Type B kind of person). Therefore, both are coming from different mindsets and experience different struggles. Ultimately, both find the routine incredibly beneficial and see an overall improvement in their personal wellness.  

At the heart of the 5 am Club is the 20/20/20 Formula, dividing the first hour of your day into three 20-minute segments: Movement, Reflection, and Growth. This “victory hour” encourages holistic personal growth by focusing on or incoporating physical activity, mindfulness, and learning.

“Take excellent care of the front end of your day, and the rest of your day will pretty much take care of itself. Own your morning. Elevate your life.” ~ Robin Sharma

How does the 5 am Club Encourage Self-development?

The 5 am Club is designed to strengthen what Sharma calls your four ‘internal empires’—each key to a balanced and fulfilling life:

• 20 / 20 / 20: Movement nurtures your physical health (your healthset).

• 20 / 20 / 20: Reflection enriches your emotional well-being (your heartset).

• 20 / 20 / 20: Growth fuels your mind (your mindset) and professional development.

The healthset, heartset, and mindset form the soulset, aligning and connecting with your spirit over ego.

"Art feeds my soul. Great books battleproof my hope. Rich conversations magnify my creativity. Wonderful music uplifts my heart. Beautiful sights fortify my spirit." ~ Robin Sharma

5 Ways the 5 am Club Morning Routine Benefits You

These 5 reasons are how and why the 5 am Club morning routine can benefit you:

1. Routine develops habits. Your habits define your mood. Your mood defines your experience.

Regular routines reinforce positive habits that elevate your mood and well-being. Exercise and reflection produce endorphins and uplift your outlook, setting the tone for a more positive day.

2. Routine means conscious decisions start your day and are carried throughout it instead of fear and impulse.

Starting your day with intentional actions rather than impulse empowers you to make thoughtful choices. You’re setting yourself up for greater focus and productivity by maintaining a calm, purpose-driven mindset.

3. Routine affirms conscious decisions, which encourages happiness through self-affirmation.

Investing in your personal growth reinforces self-worth. Exercising, learning, and working towards goals each day builds confidence and satisfaction as you become your best self.

4. Routine brings a sense of purpose.

A solid morning routine grounds you, reminding you of your purpose and goals. This intentional focus energises your day and enhances your drive to achieve.

5. Routines become flows.

As routines turn into habits, they become second nature. Flowing naturally into your day builds momentum, and your mornings become effortlessly productive.

“All change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.” ~ Robin Sharma

4 Easy Tips for Getting Started with the 5 am Club Morning Routine

Ready to join the 5 am Club but unsure where to start? Here are some practical tips:

1. Don't think, get up.

When your alarm rings, resist the urge to think or negotiate with yourself. Simply get up, switch it off, and begin. Start your day with pure commitment by getting up without thinking.

2. Set your alarm earlier and earlier until you're up at 5 am.

For those who prefer a gentler approach, start by setting your alarm a bit earlier each week until you reach 5 am. This gradual adjustment makes it easier to maintain.

3. Do whatever gets you up and out of bed.

Find what motivates you to get up - Place your phone across the room, buddy up with someone for accountability, sleep in your workout clothes, or consider setting up a paid workout session so you’re committed. Little nudges can make a big difference.

4. Have an evening routine.

Your day starts the night before, so prepare for your 5 am start with a peaceful evening. Having an evening routine can you let go of the day and improve your quality of sleep.

Related read: Helpful Evening Routine Ideas to Make Life More Wonderful.

“You need to remember that your excuses are seducers, your fears are liars and your doubts are thieves.” ~ Robin Sharma

How Long Does It Take to Make Waking Up at 5 am a Habit?

According to The 5 am Club, building a new habit takes around 66 days. Here’s a breakdown:

• Days 1 - 20: Breaking old habits and routines.

• Days 21 - 40: Establishing new routines, often the most challenging phase.

• Days 41 - 66: Embedding the new habit, allowing it to become second nature.

Give yourself the full 66 days to adopt the 5 am routine. Remember, consistency and willpower are essential to sustaining this life-changing habit.

"High victory is made in those early morning hours when no one's watching and while everyone else is sleeping." ~ Robin Sharma

Key Takeaways

Here are a few key takeaways to think about on your self-development journey as you look to form new habits and routines:

• Start with Intention: Begin each day with clarity and purpose.

• Prioritise Self-Care: Dedicate time to yourself before the day’s demands.

• Focus on Consistency: Small, consistent actions lead to lasting habits.

• Embrace the Challenge: Adopting new routines is tough, but the rewards are worth it.

• Allow Flow to Follow: With time, your morning routine will become second nature.

Ready to Join the 5 am Club?

Are you ready to give the 5 am Club a try? Leave a comment below if you're starting this journey or if you've already experienced the benefits of a morning routine. Let’s inspire each other to grow and support one another in our journey towards holistic, intentional living!

The journey might be challenging at first, but as with all good things, the rewards make it worthwhile. The 5 am Club encourages you to own your mornings, connect with yourself, and embrace a path of self-care and intentional living.

"Everyone dreams of being a legend until it comes time to do the work that legends do." ~ Robin Sharma

Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to themselves and the world. It is written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life. This blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.

As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living. I deeply appreciate every read, share, and purchase.

Thank you for being part of this community.

Best wishes, warmest regards

Jordan 

[Updated in 2025]

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Affirmation: Day by day I am creating the life that I love.

To-do: Set an alarm and start a morning routine. Don’t think, just do.

Journal Prompts:

• What intentions do I want to set for my mornings?

• How would an early morning routine support the person I want to become?

• Which of my four 'internal empires' (healthset, heartset, mindset, or soulset) would benefit most from a dedicated morning practice? What simple habits could I add to strengthen this area?

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