By planning how you spend the initial hours of your morning, you can establish the mood for the remainder of your day. Following a morning routine guarantees effectiveness as it eliminates the need for decision-making, ultimately saving you both time and energy.
Many of the world’s most respected and accomplished individuals depend on their morning routines to have productive and successful days. If you struggle to wake up in the morning and hit the snooze button, you can learn from the following routines to develop better habits.
1. Commit to a ritual
No matter what actions you take in the morning, such as lighting a candle, embracing your partner, or washing your face, ensure that it becomes a sacred routine that symbolizes the beginning of a fresh day and new beginnings.
Twyla Tharp, an American dancer, strongly advocates for rituals to enhance both creativity and accountability. In her book The Creative Habit, she describes her morning routine, which involves getting up at 5:30 a.m., getting dressed for her workout, and then taking a taxi to go to the gym.
2. Ditch the alarm clock
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is a firm believer in getting eight hours of sleep every night and also advocates for waking up naturally without using an alarm. This routine is followed by Arianna Huffington as well, who shared with Oprah that she also prioritizes getting a minimum of eight hours of sleep and waking up without assistance.
3. Exercise
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson begins his day with cardio, such as running or using the elliptical, as the sun starts to rise. This activity gives him energy for the remainder of his day. Similarly, Daymond John, a star on Shark Tank, now incorporates a workout into his daily routine. While this was not always the case, he has discovered that it enhances his productivity, ultimately leading to a shorter work week.
4. Meditate
Business Insider reports that Tony Robbins, the self-help expert, engages in morning exercise as well. However, he follows this up with a protein-rich breakfast and engages in meditation for 10 minutes, referring to it as “priming.” This routine combines elements of yoga with mindfulness and helps him generate energy while establishing positive intentions for the day.
Many leaders have incorporated the practice of mindfulness into their daily routine for several reasons. Meditation can assist in managing anxiety and stress, while also enhancing self-awareness and concentration. This is why successful individuals choose to include meditation in their morning rituals.
Jen Rubio, co-founder of Away, begins her day by meditating before engaging in a workout.
Arianna Huffington, who has her Thrive Global office at a WeWork space in New York City, intentionally practices mindfulness for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning before engaging with email or technology. Similarly, Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, dedicates 30 minutes for meditation before his six-mile run.
In a tweet, Jeff Weiner, the CEO of LinkedIn, disclosed his morning routine, revealing that he engages in meditation every morning. Additionally, he follows a specific schedule where he awakens at 5:30 a.m., reads emails, checks the news, exercises, meditates, and has breakfast, all before 9 a.m.
5. Eat breakfast
Richard Branson begins his day by engaging in a game of tennis, going for a walk, run, or bike ride, and thereafter indulging in breakfast alongside spending time with his family.
6. Soak up the silence
InStyle was told by Shonda Rhimes, the producer of “Grey’s Anatomy” and creator of “Scandal,” that she wakes up at 5:30 a.m., an hour and a half before her kids. During this time, she writes in her journal or looks out of her window. Once her kids wake up, her day begins.
Sallie Krawcheck, the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, also begins her day in silence, but she utilizes this time for work. In a LinkedIn article, she expressed that she finds herself most productive at 4 a.m.
7. Spend time with their pets
Similar to others, Oprah begins her day by engaging in meditation and exercise. However, preceding these activities, she first attends to her oral hygiene and takes her five dogs outside. Following a walk in the yard with her furry companions, she then proceeds to prepare a cup of her preferred espresso.
According to Blinkist Magazine, personal trainer Jillian Michaels revealed that her five-year-old child serves as her alarm. Once they have spent some time cuddling, they proceed to take care of their various pets, which consist of a rabbit, a pig, several dogs, a bird, chickens, ducks, and fish.
8. Review their to-do lists
Kevin O’Leary and Barbara Cochran, who are stars on Shark Tank, commence their days by creating lists of tasks they need to complete.
Prior to going to bed, O’Leary jots down three tasks he intends to accomplish the following morning. Regardless of their nature, even if they are as trivial as sending a text, he successfully completes those three tasks the next morning. According to him, this practice sets the stage for a productive day.
Cochran, like others, also follows a step-by-step plan, but it’s more organized. In an interview with Inc., she revealed that she prioritizes her tasks based on their significance, categorizing them as either “A,” “B,” or “C.” Each day, she assigns herself three to five “A” tasks. As they are the utmost importance, she ensures they are completed in the morning when she is at her most productive.
9. Check their emails
According to Thrive Global, Mark Cuban, the star of Shark Tank, dedicates an hour every morning to checking his emails. He states that this practice enables him to manage his own time more effectively by eliminating the necessity for scheduled meetings and phone calls.
In terms of his daily routine, Apple CEO Tim Cook most likely wakes up earlier than everyone else, approximately at 3:45 a.m. He is usually confronted with a staggering amount of 700 to 800 emails per day, which he takes the time to peruse during the morning hours. Additionally, he makes an effort to read almost every single one of these emails.
Instead of going through emails, Mark Zuckerberg reflexively goes through Facebook.
10. Don’t hit snooze
In an interview, comedian Jerry Seinfeld reveals that instead of hitting snooze, he follows a specific routine. He makes himself get out of bed, opens the shades, turns on the radio, and splashes cold water on his face. While he now enjoys having coffee with fellow comedians, he emphasizes that he operated without caffeine for a significant portion of his career.
11. Catch up on the news
Warren Buffett is a firm believer in reading the news. According to CNBC, he begins his day with the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Forbes. Similarly, in an interview with Fox Business, Bill Gates mentioned that his preferred sources are The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
12. Practice gratitude
You might be taken aback, but Marie Kondo doesn’t embark on a meticulous folding session after burning incense in her home. Instead, she chooses to practice gratitude.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, as part of her morning routine, Oprah takes time to express appreciation. After she brushes her teeth and walks her dogs, she reads five cards from her 365 Gathered Truths box. This box, featured on her 2014 “Favorite Things” list, contains uplifting wisdom meant to inspire.
Oprah described it as a lovely way to begin the day when speaking to Bazaar. For instance, a message that you could select from the box would be, “The measurement of wealth extends beyond financial value; it encompasses the love we generate, the laughter we indulge in, the meals we partake in, the dreams we encounter, and the hopes we foster.”
13. Rise with the sun (or even before it)
According to a study published in The Journal of General Psychology in 2008, it was observed that individuals who wake up early have a tendency to procrastinate less in comparison to night owls who wake up later.
Many successful individuals throughout history, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, have identified as early birds. For instance, Cook rises from bed at 3:45 a.m. to check his email before his five o’clock gym appointment.
Richard Branson, the founder and chairperson of Virgin Group, wakes up at a more reasonable time of around 5 a.m. in order to engage in physical activity and bond with his family.
14. Read a book
Reading before bed is commonly known to have a calming effect on the mind and can assist in preparing the body for sleep. However, not as many people are aware of the advantages of incorporating reading into their morning routine. Instead of mindlessly browsing through social media upon waking up, it is suggested to opt for reading a book or an article. This way, one can reap all the benefits of starting the day with reading.
A study conducted at the University of Sussex discovered that stress can be reduced by up to 68 percent by reading for only six minutes. Moreover, there is abundant evidence indicating that reading enhances cognitive activity in the brain, making it an excellent way to prepare oneself for daily challenges. It is not astonishing that individuals such as Bill Gates and Barack Obama begin their days with reading.
15. Journal
Consider starting your day with journaling, as the act of writing holds unexpected power. According to a study conducted in New Zealand, individuals who engaged in 20 minutes of expressive writing for three consecutive days after a medically crucial biopsy experienced a faster healing process when compared to a control group.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that engaging in this practice is effective in diminishing stress and anxiety, enhancing job performance, and aiding individuals in coping with distressing experiences. It is evident why prominent figures like Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, and Arianna Huffington are firm believers in this practice.
In her morning routine, Mellody Hobson, who is the president of Ariel Investments, includes various forms of physical activity. Her workout regimen typically involves running, weightlifting, swimming, or cycling, and she consistently follows it up with a bath.
16. Drink water
Adding a basic glass of water to your morning routine can have a significant impact, despite its seemingly trivial nature. The crucial role of hydration in maintaining good health cannot be overstated. Water plays a vital role in eliminating bodily waste, maintaining the appropriate body temperature, providing lubrication and cushioning for joints, and safeguarding delicate tissues.
Dehydration can occur in our bodies overnight, making it necessary to drink water in the morning to rehydrate. Research has demonstrated that a morning glass of water not only replenishes fluids but also aids in reducing calorie consumption throughout the day, enhancing cognitive function, promoting healthier and more vibrant skin, and even kick-starting metabolism.
The benefits of drinking water have been praised by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé, which is unsurprising.
