Highly successful people have unique morning routines that go beyond just breakfast and exercise. From industry leaders to renowned artists, they leverage the early hours for creativity, focus, and personal growth. Let’s explore ten morning routines of highly successful people that might inspire you to revamp your own for increased productivity and clarity.
10. Prep the Night Before
Preparing the night before can pave the way for a less stressful and more efficient morning. Kenneth Chenault, former CEO of American Express, was known for prepping for the next day in the evenings. This frees up his mornings for more meaningful work.
Here are some helpful tasks you can do the night before:
- Plan your outfit: Decide what you’ll wear and lay out your clothes, including accessories and shoes.
- Pack your bag: Ensure your work, school, or gym bag is packed with all the essentials.
- Prepare your meals: Prepping meals or snacks in advance ensures you have nutritious options ready to go.
- Set up your coffee or tea: Prepare your coffee maker or tea kettle so it’s ready to go in the morning.
9. Wake Up Naturally
Waking up to the natural world can be a truly special experience. Ease into the day with the soft sounds of nature and the warm glow of the sun. This connects you to the natural world and sets a peaceful tone for the day.
Waking up naturally allows your body to adjust to its natural rhythms, improving your overall health and well-being. Jeff Bezos and Arianna Huffington swear by getting at least eight hours of sleep each night and waking up without an alarm. Try opening your curtains before bed to let the morning light in, or use a gentle alarm that mimics a natural wake-up call.
8. Beat the Sun
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, and former First Lady Michelle Obama are known to wake up well before dawn. Why?
Waking up before dawn can offer several health benefits:
- Improved focus and productivity: Early mornings can help you feel more focused.
- Better sleep: Waking with the sun can regulate your circadian clock.
- Healthier diet: More time to prepare a healthy breakfast means a better start to the day.
- Regulated hormones: Early rising can lead to better hormone regulation and metabolism.
- Lower levels of depression: Studies suggest early risers have lower depression levels.
However, this may not benefit everyone, especially night owls who don’t get enough sleep.
7. Meditate, Reflect, and Be Grateful
Starting the day with meditation, reflection, or gratitude can set a positive and productive tone. Richard Branson and Tony Robbins journal, set intentions, or express gratitude each morning.
Incorporating these practices can cultivate peace and purpose:
- Meditation: Clears the mind and brings calm and focus.
- Reflection: Allows you to think about goals and priorities.
- Gratitude: Shifts your mindset toward positivity and abundance.
6. Stay Away from Your Phone
Scrolling through social media first thing in the morning can increase stress and reduce productivity. Arianna Huffington, founder of Thrive Global, avoids checking her phone early in the day.
Staying off social media can provide several health benefits:
- Improved mental health: Reduces anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Better sleep: Social media can interfere with sleep quality.
- More meaningful relationships: Frees up time for face-to-face interactions.
- Improved self-esteem: Reduces negative body image.
- Reduced exposure to negativity: Limits exposure to online conflict and negativity.
5. Pick Up a Book
Incorporating reading into your morning routine can be transformative, as Barack Obama knows. Starting your day with a few moments of reading nourishes your mind, expands your knowledge, and ignites your creativity.
Reading fiction, non-fiction, or inspirational literature sets a positive tone, providing mental clarity and focus. It also stimulates the brain, promoting better concentration and memory.
4. Embrace the Cold
Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, involves exposing the body to cold temperatures for therapeutic purposes. Tim Ferriss takes ice-cold showers to boost alertness and mental focus.
Cold therapy can be beneficial for various reasons:
- Improved metabolism and weight loss: Speeds up metabolism and activates brown fat.
- Better sleep: Lowers body temperature, promoting better sleep.
- Increased energy and alertness: Boosts energy levels.
- Faster recovery and reduced muscle soreness: Alleviates muscle soreness after physical activity.
Consult with a healthcare professional before starting cold therapy.
3. Walk with Your Pets
Oprah and Jillian Michaels include their pets in their morning routine. A morning walk with your pet provides significant health benefits for both of you, promoting physical activity and mental well-being.
Walking kickstarts your metabolism, increases energy levels, and improves cardiovascular health. The bonding experience reduces stress and anxiety by releasing oxytocin. Being outdoors provides a mental refresh, setting a positive tone for the day.
Regular morning walks also aid in weight management, joint flexibility, and overall fitness for both you and your pet.
2. Skip the Coffee
Consuming caffeine first thing in the morning can negatively affect your health. Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and Square, forgoes coffee until his morning routines are completed. Alternatively, drink water first thing, like Cameron Diaz.
Here are some reasons to wait to grab that morning coffee:
- Reduced energy levels: Caffeine can lead to an energy crash later.
- Increased anxiety and nervousness: Can cause jitteriness and headaches.
- Reduced absorption of micronutrients: Caffeine can inhibit micronutrient absorption.
- Interference with collagen formation: Can lead to wrinkles and skin problems.
Drinking water in the morning has these benefits:
- Rehydration: Replenishes fluids lost during the night.
- Improved metabolism: Boosts metabolism, helping you burn calories.
- Increased energy levels: Increases alertness and combats fatigue.
- Better digestion: Stimulates the digestive system.
- Improved skin health: Maintains skin elasticity and reduces dryness.
- Boosted immune system: Enhances the body’s ability to fight infections.
- Joint and muscle health: Lubricates joints and cushions muscles.
1. Fuel Your Body
Eating a nutritious breakfast fuels your body and mind. It improves your metabolism, helps maintain a healthy weight, improves your mood, and increases concentration.
Take a page from Naomi Osaka’s playbook and grab a smoothie. Other options include oatmeal with fresh fruits or whole-grain toast with avocado and eggs. These meals are packed with essential nutrients.
A healthy breakfast should include a balance of macronutrients and be based on whole, unprocessed foods.
In conclusion, incorporating these morning routines of highly successful people into your daily life can significantly boost your productivity, well-being, and overall success. Whether it’s prepping the night before, embracing the cold, or fueling your body with a nutritious breakfast, each practice offers unique benefits that can set you up for a great day. Experiment and find which routines work best for you to create a powerful and personalized morning ritual.
What’s your favorite morning routine? Leave your comment below!
