The Clash of Theory and Reality: Lessons from The 5 AM Club

THE CHALLENGE OF REALITY

Have you ever heard about a program that promises to transform your business, but as you learn the approach, you wonder “How will this work in real life?” That was my reaction when I started implementing The 5 AM Club.

The system has a suggested timeline that includes family connection twice daily: from 6 to 8 AM and from 6 to 7:30 PM. As a single parent managing everything from kids to meal prep to errands without outside help, my first thought was, “WTF?! There’s no way this is possible.” I knew this was an opportunity to shift my mindset; I was determined to figure out what I needed to understand and follow, and what I needed to adapt for my reality.

WHAT IS The 5 AM Club?

It's a book written by Robin Sharma. It’s called The 5 AM Club because the idea is to fuel your best self by starting your day early with intentional 20-minute blocks of time designed to set you up for success. The structure looks like this:

• 4:45-5:00 AM: Wake up, take care of personal hygiene, hydrate.
• 5:00-6:00 AM: Split into three 20-minute blocks for movement (exercise), reflection (journaling or meditation), and growth (learning or planning).
• 6:00-8:00 AM: Family connection and personal pursuits.
• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM: Work and technology use.
• 5:00-6:00 PM: Personal renewal and decompression.
• 6:00-7:30 PM: Social connection, adventure, or community service.
• 7:30-9:30 PM: Reading, reflection, and preparation for the next day.
• 9:30 PM - 4:45 AM: Deep sleep.

MAKING IT WORK FOR MY LIFE

Here’s how it’s gone so far:

• 4:45-5 AM Wake-Up Routine: I started at 5:20 AM and am working toward 4:45 AM. I’m confident I’ll get there in a few days.
• 5-6 AM Pockets: I enjoyed these, but had to split my “grow” time after my workout when hunger set in. The timeline also paused when my kids struggled to get out of bed. Waking up on time will eliminate unplanned interruptions.
• 6-8 AM Family Time: This part was chaotic. Dragging kids out of bed, making breakfast and lunches, and getting them out the door didn’t feel like a quality connection. Today was a fail—I even had to drive them to school. I’ve set expectations and boundaries, they will figure it out tomorrow.
• 8 AM - 5 PM Work Focus: When mornings are chaotic, it seeps into my day, derailing my focus.  Even when mornings go well, I face frequent but brief tech interruptions such as school alerts and appointment reminders. I'm working on establishing stronger boundaries and overcoming the tendency to use technology as a distraction.
• 5-6 PM Personal Renewal: This sounds luxurious, but it’s often interrupted by lingering work or dinner prep.
• 6-7:30 PM Social Connection: With Scouts once a week and varying schedules, family dinners and connection often require pre-planning or leftovers to make it work.
• 7:30-9:30 PM Wind Down: I’m excited about this — no more scrolling or binge-watching. My older son gets home late, and if I shift my routine and get ready for bed earlier (instead of right before bedtime), I can be available when he gets home and wants to connect.

LESSONS LEARNED AND NEXT STEPS

What I’ve realized is that theory doesn’t always account for reality. But intention, reflection, and adaptation can bridge the gap. For me, food preparation is going to be key so I can grab and go without overthinking meals. Selecting my workout program enables me to start my workout as soon as I get downstairs. 

The book states it takes 66 days to adopt a habit. I know it won’t be easy. Theory and reality will continue to clash, but I’m willing to get uncomfortable because I believe the benefits of The 5 AM Club will outweigh the challenges.

REAL LIFE DEMANDS ADAPTATION

If you’ve ever felt like a system doesn’t take your unique reality into account, you’re not alone. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. I’m learning to make this work for me, and  I'm sure I'll face more adaptations in the upcoming weeks. I’m curious: How do you adapt systems to fit your life? Leave a comment below and let’s talk about it.