The Death of the Alarm Clock

A few weeks ago my buddies (more people I have never met in person) Dan and Ian were talking about getting rid of their alarm clock.  In case you don’t know, Dan and Ian are the hosts of the Lifestyle Business Podcast.  They own a product design business together, but Ian lives in San Diego and Dan lives in the Phillipines (when he is not gallavanting around elsewhere).

During this particular podcast, Ian brought up the fact that he has not had an alarm clock in his room for two years.  He said that he gets the amount of slep he needs each night, and then gets out of bed when he is done sleeping (Brilliant!).  Dan agreed with Ian and said that he (Dan) needed an alarm clock one night so he was sure to get up in time for a meeting.  He went out and bought an alarm clock, used it that night, and then threw it away.  He doesn’t want an alarm clock either.

As seemingly unimportant as this topic sounds, it resonated with me.  What really resonated with me was when Ian said that he hates to be anywhere at a certain time and hates have to go places he doesn’t want to be.  Really?  Man, I thought that was just me and figured it was because I was 1) lazy, and/or 2) self-centered.  But according to Ian, (I’m paraphrasing), this is common among entrepreneurs. 

For years, I have known that I was different than most of my collegues.  When I worked a corporate job, I hated having to be in the office at a certain time.  I also hated having to schedule meetings I didn’t want to attend.  When I started my own business, I hated setting appointments with clients.  There were certain things I liked to do in the business and other things I didn’t like to do.  But I was under the impression at the time that doing things you didn’t want to do was just part of being an entrepreneur.  Of course, I’ve learned differently since then.

My life is set up in a way now that I have very few appointments.  I get up in the morning when I want, I do things during the day when I want, and I feel very little stress.  That doesn’t mean that I don’t work during the day and that I am not productive.  In fact, just the opposite.  I think I am more productive working in a way that is comfortable for me than I was trying to fit into the one-size-fits-all environment.

Of course, there are the occasional appointments I have to keep.  I have not escaped meetings all together.  Although it doesn’t always happen, I often have trouble sleeping the night before I have an appointment.  Having to be somewhere at a certain time is just so contrary to my nature.  I am so thankful that I am living a lifestyle that allows me to be true to myself and my nature.  As Gary Vee says, you got to be true to your DNA.

If you haven’t listened to Dan and Ian’s podcast before, give a listen.  They have some really good stuff and I think you’ll enjoy it.