Hour One

The Most Productive Hour of My Day Starts Before Sunrise

With rare exception, I wake up between 3:00 and 3:30 in the morning. To most people, that sounds insane. To me, it is the most valuable, powerful hour of my entire day. The world is quiet. No emails. No phone calls. No distractions. That silence creates the perfect environment for big thinking—creative work, investigative work, forecasting, and what I call connecting the dots.

This is not the time for shallow tasks or “stupid work.” It is the time when the brain is fresh from sleep, reorganized, and ready to process complex ideas. Think of sleep like a defrag for your mind. It reorganizes information, clears the clutter, and frees up space so you can see patterns others miss. That first hour allows me to take advantage of that clarity before the noise of the day shows up.

People like Jeff Bezos have openly talked about protecting the first hour of the day for deep thought. Tim Cook is known for getting up early for the same reason. High performers do not stumble into productivity—they architect it.

But let me share another secret weapon: the afternoon reset.

Around 1:30 or 2:00 p.m., I take a break. I do not apologize for it. I do not call it a “power nap”—I cannot stand that phrase. I simply rest. Often, I fall asleep for a full hour. When I wake up, I am recharged and ready for a second round of high-level work.

A short break, a warm washcloth on the face, cold water to drink—no alcohol, no carbonation—and my brain feels brand new. It is amazing how such a simple routine can restore mental sharpness.

Most people try to push through exhaustion. I do the opposite. I treat my energy like my most valuable asset. I front-load deep thinking in the morning. I reset in the afternoon. I protect my brain so it can perform.

Early mornings give me clarity. Midday rest gives me endurance.

That combination is my competitive advantage.