By now, you might have heard of the “5-9, 9-5” productivity trend that’s going viral on social media. If you haven’t, well, here’s what it’s about. Most of us rush to get to work in hectic Singapore with a morning routine that looks like this: Wake up and realise that it’s already 8:30 am, grab your laptop and rush out the door for your commute. But then the bus gets delayed, your Grab car cancels, or worst, your MRT gets stuck for 20 minutes, and now it’s 9:20 am! If you drive, you will be all too familiar with the rush hour jam and vehicles slowing down to avoid the ERP charges.
Yet, some people can wake up before 9 am to work out at the gym, meditate, and clean up their house before heading to work. This productivity trend, known as the “5-9 before a 9-5”, has taken off mainly on Tiktok and other social media platforms. It’s a short video in which early birds show how they get things done before their workday starts. Watching these early birds work out, clean up, and plan their to-do list before their workday starts can be very satisfying. It can also motivate you to do the same.
But if you’re still working from home and have no reason to commute, is there a need to establish a morning routine? Especially if you’re a night owl who likes to sleep in, then you might agree with the author of this article, who prefers to wake up right before 9 am Zoom meetings.
While opinions on the trend are divided, did you know that a morning routine can help you to perform better at work? Whether you are commuting to work or working from home, there are benefits to establishing a morning routine. Let’s look at why and how to set one!