The hidden trap of being a morning person

Three strategies for protecting yourself from burnout.

If you wake up before sunrise ready to start the day, you’re not alone—and in many ways, the modern world is designed for you. Schools start early. Meetings begin at 8 a.m. And showing up first is still seen as a sign of dedication. Research from the University of Washington confirms this “early riser bias”: employees who start early are rated as more conscientious and receive higher performance evaluations, even when they work the same hours as colleagues who start later.