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Finance · South Africa

Why Waking Up Early Doesn’t Guarantee Success

Moneyweb · 2026/03/07

Summary

A common belief is that waking up very early, like at 5am, leads to greater success. However, research shows that success depends more on a person's chronotype, which is their natural sleep-wake cycle. Some people naturally perform better early in the morning, while others focus and work well later in the day. Forcing yourself to wake early when your body isn't ready can actually harm your focus, sleep quality, and overall health. The key to being productive and successful is to understand your natural rhythms and plan your day accordingly, rather than blindly adopting early morning routines. This approach helps maintain good health and performance throughout the day.

OnABudget takeaway: Rather than trying to wake up at 5am, find a routine that fits your natural energy levels to improve productivity and health. This means you can work better and make smarter financial decisions without harming your well-being.

Read the original article on Moneyweb