How I save lives by day and work online by dawn
That’s when I hit “full blast” and revamped my routine
It’s 12:30 AM.
While most of the world is fast asleep, my day is just beginning. As a surgeon, I spend my days saving lives. But before the crack of dawn, I have a secret side hustle — building an online presence and business.
This is the story of how I transformed my early mornings into a time of focus, productivity, and progress toward my dreams.
From my high-intensity routine to how I wake up refreshed and ready to hustle, I’m sharing everything.
My hope?
To inspire you to carve out time for what matters, no matter how packed your schedule.
“12:30 AM/1 AM: Rise and shine. I start with water — no coffee for me, but you do. The world’s quiet, perfect for focus. I write blogs, craft reels, and strategize with my Dream 100.”
When that alarm blares at 12:30 AM sharp, I’m up and embracing the day. No snoozing for this. I down a full glass of water to rehydrate and splash some on my face for an instant refresh. Coffee? Not for me, but fuel up however you need.
The world is beautifully silent in these hours. No distractions, just pure focus. I capitalize by pouring my energy into high-impact tasks. That means creating blogs, shooting creative reels, and connecting with my Dream 100 — the top content creators and influencers in my niche.
Strategic relationship building is vital. I research who’s making waves in my industry and reach out to provide value, not asking for anything in return.
Over time, these connections bloom into collaborations, mentorships, and more. But it all starts with being proactive during the dawn hours when the focus comes easy.
“3:30 AM: Lecture prep or hospital paperwork. I’m an academician, too, teaching the next wave of doctors.”
My side hustle isn’t all business. As an academician, I also teach the next generation of medical doctors.
Lecture prep is a top priority, and the tranquil pre-dawn serves up the perfect study session. I review materials, polish presentations, and ensure I’m ready to equip my students with the latest medical knowledge and skills.
There’s also the inevitable hospital paperwork. Patient cases for presentation, conference, and other documentation. It’s not glamorous, but it’s vital work and easier to tackle in the hours when my mind is fresh. I plow through the pile efficiently so I can devote my daytime hours fully to patients.
“3:30–4:30 AM: Time for a jog, some stretches, a bit of fitness.”
An active body fuels an active mind. I take time daily to get my blood pumping with exercise. Whether it’s jogging through the crisp morning air or following a YouTube workout inside, physical activity is non-negotiable.
Stretching is especially important given my long hours on my feet at work. By investing in my health during these predawn hours, I’m nourishing my body to perform at its peak when lives are on the line.
“4:30–5:30 AM: Gear up for the day, and grab some breakfast.”
The final push before go time. I shower, get dressed, and fuel up with a protein-rich breakfast. This meal provides lasting energy to tackle a busy hospital shift.
I also take time to mentally prepare. Reviewing my schedule, listing priorities, and getting into a focused headspace sets me up for a productive day. With my body nourished and mind ready, it’s time to rush off to the hospital.
6":30 AM-5:00 PM: Hospital rounds, surgeries, procedures, with the Meta Business Suite on standby for those spare moments. I have no specific time for breaks or lunch.”
Now the real work begins. I plunge into the controlled chaos of the ER (Emergency Room), and OR (Operating Room) moving from patient to patient and providing urgent care. There are no set times for breaks or meals.
I grab food when I can and eat on the go.
My online mindset is still on the side. Thanks to technology. I installed apps like Meta Business Suite, Meta Ads, Google Analytics, JetPack etc. on my phone which enables me to manage my pages, ads, and inbox during any spare moments at work. A few minutes here and there keeps things ticking along.
“5:00–9:00 PM: Lectures to medical students in a post-pandemic hybrid setup.”
My second shift commences: teaching the next generation of doctors. The pandemic shook up medical education, but we’ve adapted with a flexible hybrid model. Whether lecturing virtually or in person, my goal is to equip students with the knowledge and heart to thrive.
I pour everything I’ve learned from years of handling high-pressure situations into my lectures. My firsthand experiences bring lessons to life, from communicating empathy amid chaos to sharpening diagnostic skills.
Teaching keeps me grounded in why I entered medicine:
to help others.
“9:00 PM: Home time. I unwind, dine, and snooze until midnight. Emergencies aside, that’s my drill. It’s a tight 3 hours of shut-eye nightly, not forever, but for now. By my 40s, the hustle will pay off (I’m 33, by the way).”
After an 18-hour shift, I head home to recharge. Unwinding and refueling with a hearty dinner revives me for the next day’s demands. I’m lights out by 9 PM to maximize rest before my alarm sounds at 12:30 AM.
I aim for 7–8 hours of sleep nightly, but right now 3–4 is my reality. It’s intense, I know, but not permanent. A few years of rising before dawn to hustle will pave the way for greater flexibility down the road. I’m playing the long game.
“Emails? They get my attention on Monday and Friday nights, half an hour tops.”
There are no “emergency” emails. Emergencies get my attention through the smartphone.
To stay focused on high-impact tasks during my early mornings, I limit email to 30 minutes max on Monday and Friday nights before going to bed. Quick check-ins keep communication flowing while defending my prime productivity hours.
For the rest of the week, emails go on the back burner. I rely on apps like Calendly to conveniently schedule meetings and protect my calendar. I also use Notion as the whole framework of my online plan. Delegating tasks via AI assistants like Clara frees up more time. The goal is to minimize distractions to make mornings count.
“Weekends are sacred — family and friends time.”
After a tireless Monday to Friday, weekends are my oasis for rejuvenation. No hustling, just quality time with loved ones. We unwind together with favorite activities, meals, and more.
Investing in these connections keeps me grounded when the pace of life accelerates. It’s all about balance. Giving my loved ones the best of me refuels my ability to serve patients and students alike.
How to Wake Up at Dawn and be Ready to Hustle
Now you know my routine. But how do you actually rise refreshed at dawn, primed to make early mornings count?
Here are my top strategies for making the transition smoothly.
“Waking up at 1 AM isn’t for everyone, and I don’t generally recommend it. It’s taxing. If you’re considering an early rise, ease into it gradually, at your own rhythm. Start by aiming to rise before the 5 AM mark.”
Let’s be real!
Waking up at 1 AM or even 5 AM isn’t realistic for most people initially. You can’t just set an early alarm and expect to bounce out of bed full of vigor. That’s a recipe for failure.
The key is starting gradually and giving your body time to adjust. Begin by waking up 30 minutes early for a week straight. Then bump it to an hour earlier the following week, building bit by bit.
Consistency over intensity is key in the beginning.
There’s no prize for shocking your system into rising at 1 AM overnight. Build sustainable momentum at a pace your mind and body can adapt to. In time, you’ll be waking up early feeling energized and ready to seize the day.
“Use that as your springboard and incrementally adjust as you build momentum and hone your discipline.
Remember, while motivation ignites your start, discipline fuels your journey’s consistency.”
Those initial small wins of waking up slightly early become your springboard to rise even earlier consistently. Each week, challenge yourself to wake up 5–10 minutes sooner than the last.
Hitting mini-milestones like waking before 6 AM for a week straight is already a win. Stack enough small wins together and soon you’ll be up by 5 AM without a struggle.
Motivation will ebb and flow, so also lean on discipline. Do it whether you feel inspired or not to ingrain it as a habit. A dedication to continual improvement will make rising at dawn feel automatic.
Alarm Clock Strategy
To make rising early a reality, optimize your environment for success. That means getting strategic with your alarm clock placement.
Keep your alarm clock far from the comfort of your bed. It’s not your friend in those early hours.
Instead, station it in your workspace or elsewhere
— just not within arm’s reach.
This is crucial. When the alarm is too close, the temptation to hit ‘snooze’ and drift back is all too real. But if that alarm is ringing from afar, you’re compelled to leave the warmth of your bed to shut it off.
At this crossroads, you have a pivotal decision:
1. Hit ‘snooze’ and betray your aspirations or…
2. Freshen up, stretch out the sleep, and settle into your workspace to pursue your dreams.
Your path lies in that choice.
Have a Dedicated Wake-Up Playlist
Music is a powerful productivity booster, especially the first thing when motivation is low. Create a dedicated wake-up playlist of upbeat, energizing tunes. Keep the volume loud enough to get you moving.
The right mix of songs will lift your spirits, boost your focus, and set the tone for an epic early morning session. A bit of music goes a long way when it comes to rising and shining.
Prep Your Workspace the Night Before
To make the most of your early mornings, have a dedicated workspace stocked with everything you need. Prepare it the evening prior for a smooth transition from bed to business mode.
Charge devices, tidy up, layout notebooks, pens, and any other tools. Have water and healthy snacks on hand too. A perfectly primed workspace helps kickstart your creative juices.
Visualize Your Big “Why”
When that alarm goes off, quickly visualizing your big “why” injects urgency and purpose into your morning.
Remind yourself why you want to wake up early and what you hope to accomplish.
…because of your dreams? your loved ones?
Placing a vision board or motivational quote near your workspace keeps your eyes on the prize. Outlining your goals, dreams and next steps the night before makes them top of mind too upon waking.
Optimize Sleep Habits
Waking up early hinges on getting adequate rest the night before. Optimize your evening routine for deep, restful sleep.
Steer clear of late-night screens, heavy meals, and stimulants.
Establish consistent bed and wake times to regulate your body clock.
A few key supplements support sleep quality as well. Magnesium relaxes muscles and nerves. Glycine promotes calming neurotransmitters, while melatonin aligns your cycle with the sun.
Experiment with Polyphasic Sleep Cycles
To maximize rest within tight timeframes, consider polyphasic sleep cycles. These involve dividing sleep into multiple blocks instead of one long stretch overnight.
For example, a schedule with a longer 4–5 hour sleep paired with 20–30 minute power naps.
This aligns with the body’s natural rhythms for greater energy, focus, and alertness throughout the day. With some experimentation, it allows early risers to thrive on less sleep.
Form an Accountability Partnership
Partner up with a friend or join an online community of like-minded early risers. Having external accountability and support boosts consistency exponentially.
Check in with your accountability partner nightly on your wake-up progress. We all need a little extra push at times.
Final Thoughts
The life of an early morning hustler isn’t easy, but with the right rhythms, it’s absolutely achievable. Take it from me, a busy personnel in the medical field hustling and running an online business in the hours.
Start gradually, stay consistent, and be strategic.
With dedication, anything is possible — whether it’s impacting lives through medicine or chasing entrepreneurial dreams.
We all have the same 24 hours!
Make the most of yours by rising and shining before the sun. Seize the day!
