It's a Monday, and I am struggling. But I wonder if I would be doing any better if I was maybe a morning person.

I remember when Mark Hurd of Oracle Corporation gave my class a talk, telling us that he wakes up at 5AM everyday because his competitors on the East Coast are already awake at that point. What I got from that is that I stand no chance.

But also, morning means productivity. As soon as you wake up, there is nothing else to do but conquer the day, so a lot of these "morning people" will grab a cup of coffee and get started.

There's a reason for the phrases "wind-up" versus "wind-down." The morning is when everything is getting started. School and work all start in the morning. Your brain is buzzing.

Although easier said than done, here are a few ways you can make yourself more of a morning person than a night owl:

1. Drink coffee. Not too much, but a cup or two of hot or cold brew in the morning didn't hurt anybody. In fact, along from the caffeinated energy, it gives your metabolism a jumpstart as well.

2. Workout. Exercising is natural energy and is a great way to wake up.

3. Eat a balanced, big breakfast. Protein is especially important to keep your appetite at bay until lunch.

4. Stretch as soon as you get out of bed. It'll get your muscles relaxed for the rest of the day. It's like a big breath for your body.

5. Turn on some music. Or for those of you who don't listen to music (like Noah or Adam aka crazy people), a podcast.

6. Go to bed at a reasonable hour. To get a good night's sleep, stay away from any lit screens, such as laptops or phones. Sleep in a cooler room.

7. Have somebody sit on you until you wake up. (Not tested, but you should give it a try.)

Try all these techniques, or you'll end up like Ike, our resident office chair napper.

Whenever I do manage to get out of bed and not feel like a sloth, it feels so great, and I feel like I can accomplish so much more. If you can do it, you'll be one step ahead of the game.

Why are men like coffee?

The best ones are rich, hot, and can keep you up all night!

-Kristen Lee, telling inappropriate coffee jokes since '92