This is, perhaps, the most important tip of all. A difficult one to understand and believe, but if we allow its truth to sink deep down into our hearts, it is a game-changer.

Know that God is incredibly pleased with you.

That’s right! He is not looking down with scowl on His face and disappointment in His heart. He gazes on you and me with incredible love. “But, how is this true?” you ask. I’ve asked the same question.

How can God look down on me with full acceptance after I stayed up too l

...

There are so many factors that affect bedtime and wake time.

Boredom. Laziness. Exhaustion. Sickness. Sinful desires. Distraction. Forgetfulness. Children. Responsibilities.

It takes continual sacrifice, focus, initiative, and flexibility to create a successful early-morning routine, and it is super-easy to get discouraged when we don't have what it takes.

We must keep our "eyes on the prize" if we are to make becoming an early-riser a lifetime habit. And, we are wholly dependent on God's abu...

There's nothing more annoying than waking up before the sun, only to have my precious time cut short for one reason or another.

Some mornings it seems as if the seconds are just shorter! My time in the Word is not long enough, planning is squeezed in as kiddos arise from their sleep, and time to exercise eludes me. Usually, mornings like this occur because I didn't prepare well the night before.

Another morning-time-crusher that can be avoided by a bit of planning ahead is noise. Seems as if I...

 We've come a long way! Yet it is so easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged by our slow progress.

We need to celebrate every little baby step reached!

Night-owls don't become early-birds overnight, and if we are constantly looking at all we are not doing, we will never see the progress that is happening.

My kids did not begin toddling over night. It really started way back when they couldn't even keep from going cross-eyed. Each of them began to lift their little head and keep those eyeba...

 Jumping out of bed once, out of sheer determination and excitement for a new change is one thing. Rising early, day after day, month after month, year after year? That is a whole different ballgame.

Manage Your Expectations

This is so important, friends. We must see this change as a long-term, slow-going, delayed-gratification journey.

Transformation does not come overnight.

There WILL be days you hit snooze. You WILL stay up way too late. And just when you begin to gain morning-time-moment...

When I first set out to take this get-up-early thing seriously, it seemed as if my kids had signed up for the HelloMornings challenge, too!

I kid you not—the very week I started getting up BEFORE them, they started waking up EARLIER.

This was incredibly frustrating.

A friend suggested a special alarm clock to help keep my kids in bed while I was getting up. My first thought was, “no way I am going to spend $30 on a dumb clock!” But after a few more weeks of frustration—and failed attempts to ...

This might be one of the most fruitful tips in our 15 Transformational Tips for the Night Owl.

It is also one of the hardest.

Are you ready for this, 'cause some of you are going to want to slap me after this one...

Ditch the snooze button.

I can't remember how long ago I finally said "Adios!" to the snooze button, but it has been a good change. This is coming from the gal who's college roommates dubbed me the Snooze Queen. So, I totally get this struggle.

To be sure I am clear here, when I...

I tried (unsuccessfully) for years to get up early to spend time with God.

I made it up for a few days, weeks, or even a month; but it never stuck. Today's tip continues to be transformational for me, in meeting my morning goals.

Surround Yourself with Support

This is what the Hello Mornings challenge is all about; providing a group of like-minded friends who are running in the same direction as you. 

The accountability and encouragement of the Hello Mornings community has pushed me toward ...

It's one thing to set your goals, make your plans, and set an alarm for bed time.

It's quite another to tell others of your goals, your plans, and what time you plan to be in bed.

Here's transformational tip #7: Tell others of your attempts to rise early.

It is much easier to give up, if no one knows what you are trying to do. Tell your husband and children what your plans are. Post about it on Facebook (no better accountability for when you are up too late!) Ask some trusted friends to pray ...

I'm in a deep sleep—happy in la-la land—and suddenly I hear the tone of my alarm calling me to the real world.

Is it time to get up already?!

As reality sets in that it is, indeed, time to wake up, I reach for my phone to silence the sound and face a decision.

To get up—or not.

It is in this pivotal moment I can use all the help I can get, so here is our next tip!

Don't linger.

Sit up, place your feet on the floor, and start walking!

It is hard to get out of bed, whether it is 5 AM or 8 ...

Without accountability, I go to bed way too late.

While I am certainly guilty of staying up late watching Hallmark movies, playing games, or wasting time on Facebook, most of my late nights happen because I truly do not realize how late it is!

As a project-lover, I get engrossed in what I am working on and completely lose track of time.

I don't even remember how or when this idea sparked, but one day I had an "aha!" moment. Why not set an alarm for bed time?!

My evening alarm is a reminder f...

 There is an often neglected time of day each of us needs to take a good look at before we can serious about waking up earlier.

Bedtime.

Becoming an early-riser will never be a reality if you do not go to bed earlier. You might be able to make it on fumes for a while but—sooner or later—you will run out of gas.

This getting-up-early thing is more than a line on your checklist. It is a lifestyle change and it is going to take sacrifice.

Sleep cannot be the thing you sacrifice.

You must go to...