If you’re trying to build wealth, there’s a ton of advice out there about how to do it. You’ll notice some common themes of cutting expenses, saving and investing. Financial expert Jim Cramer offers an unexpected perspective, though, that you may want to consider, as reported by CNBC. It’s not even specifically related to money.
Cramer’s best tip about setting a foundation for success is to set an alarm 15 minutes earlier every week until you’re consistently waking up between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. But is this the right approach for you? Find out more below.
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Getting an Early Start
Cramer acknowledged that this advice “is going to sound extreme” to the average person. The idea behind getting up so early is that it gives him time to get a lot accomplished before work as co-anchor on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street.” He has time to work out, write, research and prepare for the CNBC Investing Club’s morning meeting while many others are still sleeping or getting ready for the day.
Getting up so early isn’t new for Cramer. He said he developed the habit while working at Goldman Sachs, when he would get to his desk by 4 a.m., well before any of his coworkers were there. “I knew that everyone was really smart at Goldman Sachs. I knew they were smarter than I, but I knew I could outwork them.”
It’s about getting an early start so you can fit in more work toward your goals. That’s why he said this morning routine will give you “a real edge over everybody else.” Even if you’re in a completely different industry, getting up so early may help you get more work done and stand out.
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The Importance of Sleep
Changing the time you wake up without changing when you go to sleep will probably leave you feeling sluggish and tired. Generally, adults need at least seven hours of quality sleep per night for optimal health, per Mayo Clinic. If you’re waking up at four in the morning, as Cramer recommended, that means going to bed no later than 9 p.m.
Cramer acknowledged that he doesn’t always get enough sleep because he wakes up as early as he does. He explained how he may go to bed at 11 p.m. and acknowledges that’s not ideal, but said he has to “deliver a quality product to my bosses, who are the viewers.”
Your work may actually suffer if you sacrifice sleep to get up earlier and get more done. Sleep, after all, is essential for long-term memory and learning, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). When you’re not getting enough quality sleep, it may be more difficult to focus and think clearly. Try to find a balance between getting a strong start to your day, maybe earlier than you’ve been getting up and still ensuring you’re sleeping enough each night.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Jim Cramer’s Top Wealth-Building Habit Called ‘Extreme’ — and It’s Not About Money
