I go to sleep late. I wake up early(ish). Somehow, I manage to stay up late watching odd shows, movies, or documentaries such as “How to Become a Tyrant.” No wonder some of my dreams border on the surreal. I wake up feeling a bit discombobulated, as if I were a zombie from one of my recent dreams, making my way to the living room where the dogs greet me warmly (rightly so) demanding attention.

Who can deny a dog a pet, hugs, and food in the am? Then the dogs and I contemplate for a few minutes the life challenges we face. Giving a dog a belly rub in the morning is the same as taking vitamin C or drinking calming tea. Then, as we contemplate, we turn on the television and catch snippets of the chaotic world outside our windows.

Then come the caffeine infusions. There’s green tea, coffee, and red bull. Then comes the reading of emails and my sharp, early morning responses and notices. I look at data reports and try to make sense and put forth action plans. I guide, shepard, and delegate tons of projects by 8am.

Then my son emerges from his cave. I still love seeing him get up first thing in the morning. Although, he inherited my early bird nature and then some. There are times he is up by 5:20 so that he can accomplish some tasks, walk the dog, and play some games before going to school, at which he is thriving. However, he’s more of a curmudgeonly zombie while I’m more of a sunny curmudgeon zombie.

My mom taught me to be an early riser. And, that has always stayed with me. By noon, I often accomplish way more than other people accomplish over the course of three days. Well, that is except for the days where I’m booked for one meeting after another and after another. Even in said situations, I manage to do and learn a lot. We sometimes forget we should continuously be learning. Once we stop learning while at a particular job. It’s probably time to go.

To recap, which I hardly do as I tend to engage in so many digressions. I wake up a bit zombified, pet the dogs, caffeinate, work efficiently, and contemplate. I hug my son in wonder at how quickly he’s growing up. Then I rush to get ready and walk to work. Yup, there’s exercise too.

That’s how a morning zombie works it!