What time did your alarm go off this morning?
For most in sales, the morning is a frantic rush. It’s a blur of hitting snooze, grabbing coffee, and mentally jumping into the day’s first appointment before you’ve even left the house. We’re all looking for an edge, that one thing that will help us close more deals, build a bigger pipeline, and crush our quotas. We invest in CRM software, attend seminars, and read sales books. But what if the single biggest competitive advantage isn’t found in a new technique, but in a new habit?
I heard a sales trainer say once, “Start your day early. Get up at 6 or even 5 AM and see how much more productive you can be.”
Honestly, it sounded simple, maybe too simple. But in a profession where discipline and initiative are everything, I decided to give it a try. I started with 6 AM, then pushed it to 5 AM. And I can tell you, it was a game-changer.
That quiet, pre-dawn hour is now my time. It’s the time I use to arm myself for the battles of the day. It’s when I get my mind right, my body moving, and my strategy set before the rest of the world is even awake.
From Chaos to Control: What an Extra Hour Gives You
Think about it. How many times have you felt like you’re playing catch-up all day? Responding to yesterday’s emails while trying to prep for today’s meetings. That feeling of being reactive instead of proactive is a progress killer in sales.
Starting your day just one hour earlier flips that script entirely.
- Time for Mental Clarity: Instead of waking up and immediately thinking about your first pitch, that extra hour allows you to ease into the day. For me, it’s time to read something unrelated to sales, meditate for a few minutes, or simply enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. This allows me to start the day with a clear head, focused and strategic, rather than panicked and rushed. You can map out your top three priorities for the day, visualize your meetings going successfully, and mentally prepare for any objections.
- Time for Physical Energy: I started hitting the gym in the morning. A workout doesn’t just build muscle; it builds mental fortitude. It floods your body with endorphins, boosts your energy levels, and reduces stress. When you walk into a prospect’s business at 9 AM, you’re not sluggish and half-awake. You are alert, confident, and radiating an energy that clients can feel. That’s a powerful first impression.
- Time to Get Ahead: This is the most tactical advantage. While your competition is still asleep, you can be the first one in their inbox. You can review your portfolio, research new leads, or prep a proposal without constant interruptions. By the time 8 AM rolls around, you’ve already accomplished more than many will by lunchtime. You’re not starting your day; you’re continuing a day that began with a victory.
The Challenge: Find One More Hour
I’m not saying you need to start waking up at 4:30 AM tomorrow. But I am challenging you to try an experiment.
Whatever time you get up now, set your alarm for one hour earlier for the next two weeks.
If you wake up at 7:30 AM, try 6:30 AM. If you’re already up at 6:00 AM, dare yourself to try 5:00 AM. Don’t just use that time to scroll through your phone. Use it with intention.
- Read a chapter of a book.
- Go for a walk or a run.
- Write down your goals for the day, the week, the month.
- Learn about a new feature in the POS system you sell.
- Do absolutely nothing but sit in the quiet and think.
See how it changes the tone of your day. See how it impacts your confidence on calls, your focus in meetings, and your numbers at the end of the week.
Success in sales and merchant services isn’t just about what you do between 9 and 5. It’s about the discipline, the preparation, and the hunger you bring to the table. That all starts with how you choose to begin your day.
So, what time will you be waking up tomorrow? Let me know, I maybe up as well.
Happy Selling,
David
Payment Lynx Daily 