This might not be helpful but I just want to share what I've experienced for the first 3 years of my current job (teaching online). I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for 4 years at that time. I remember waking up at 4:00 AM to prepare for my 6:00 AM work. It took quite some time for me to adjust and get used to the schedule. It was a matter of trial and error until things just became a routine.

Routine 1:

1. My alarm would ring at 3:50, I'll snooze and actually get up at 4:00. I'd go to the kitchen and start making breakfast. I played music or a podcast while I'm cooking. I used to sit and eat for 30 minutes. I'd just stare at my food while listening to something. Then, I'd wash my face, change my clothes and put on makeup. After that, I'd read my lesson plan and review the materials for my students.

Routine 2:
1. At 4:00, I'd sit on the sofa for 5 minutes, then do an 8-minute stretch. The rest was the same, eat while listening to TED talks, put on makeup and read online articles.

Routine 3:

1. I'd turn the TV on at 4:00 and watch one episode of my favorite show on TV. Next was breakfast, bathroom, and prepare for the lessons.

I can't exactly remember how I forced myself to do things at 4:00. Before that, I didn't have a job for 7 months, and had some financial difficulties. I guess at first I thought that I needed it badly for the money, so I'd do it no matter what. I was drained, had no social life, and didn't enjoy things because I couldn't even understand what was fun anymore.

I worked 5 hours in the morning and 5 hours in the evening. It was a struggle every day. Waking up at 4:00 was not easy, but I needed 2 hours to be fully awake. The quality of sleep I had was generally not good, so that somehow enabled me to wake up at that hour. It was like, "Am I awake or asleep? Oh, it's 4:00. Nothing matters more than getting up at 4:00."

I was not used to Seroquel at that time, so sometimes, I would black out for a few seconds during the lesson. I'd look drowsy whenever I saw my face on Skype. After the last class in the morning, I'd go straight to bed and sleep for 2 hours. When I woke up, I'd do my other job for the next 4 hours, then go back to teaching for another 4 hours at night. I'd normally sleep for 3-4 hours at night and it was awful.

Now, I've been doing the same job (and enjoying it) for 8 years. It was a very long process of getting used to doing things and sticking to a routine. My preparation in the morning now is only an hour long, and I can sleep for 7 hours.