The Power of a Morning Routine: How High-Achieving CEOs Start Their Day

How you begin your day will determine the rest of your day.

The snooze feature might be tempting, but are those 10 extra minutes worth it? 🤷‍♀️Your success is unlikely to be determined by your morning routine.

You may have wondered why some entrepreneurs appear to be so successful. The secret is often in their morning rituals.

Let's explore the morning routines of CEOs who are high achievers to learn how you can create a daily routine that will fuel your personal growth, wellness, and productivity.

Why a Morning Routine Matters

It's not just about random morning activities. It's all about creating habits that will set you up to succeed, both physically and mentally. Morning routines have been shown to improve productivity, mood, and overall well-being (Halvorson 2014). This is what successful people do. They have rituals that are aligned with their goals.

How to form habits that stick

You want to establish a morning ritual, but keeping it up is difficult, right? Here are some proven methods for making your habits stick.

1. Habit Stacking 🧱

Link a new behavior to an old one. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, (2018), says that habit stacking allows you to create new routines, by adding habits on top of those you already perform without thinking. If you make coffee in the mornings, add a new habit, such as 5 minutes of journaling, right after pouring your cup.

2. Start Small 🐾

It is impossible to change your whole morning at once. Make it easy for yourself to achieve one habit. Start with 5 minutes if you want to meditate for 20. Charles Duhigg explains in The Power of Habit (2012) that small victories build momentum.

3. Spend Rewards Wisely 🎁

Create a rewards system for yourself. Treat yourself to a small reward after completing a morning meditation or workout. It could be a tasty smoothie, 10 minutes of guilt-free social media browsing, or a few pages from your favorite book. According to behavioral psychologist B. J. Fogg (2010), the idea is that you should associate positive emotions with your new habit.

4. Set Clear Triggers 🚀

Your environment can have a strong impact on your habits. Set up your workout clothes in advance, put your water bottle by your bedside, or use a certain alarm tone to signal that it is time to begin your routine. Your brain will know what to expect when you use environmental cues.

Morning Habits That Can Make a Big Difference

Let's discuss which habits can have the greatest impact on your life (and day). You can adopt some of the morning habits that successful entrepreneurs have:

1. Meditation and Breathwork 🧘‍♀️

Meditation or breathing exercises can help to reduce stress and center your mind. Oprah Winfrey and other entrepreneurs swear by morning meditation to help them set the tone for a focused, calm day. Even 5-10 minutes of deep breathing can improve your mood and increase clarity (Walsh, Shapiro 2006).

2. Consistent Sleep Schedule 🛌

A productive morning routine begins the night prior. Consistent sleep patterns will ensure you are ready for the day when you awaken. Stick to the same bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends. It's not just about getting up early but waking consistently.

3. Deep Work First Thing in the Morning 💻

Dedicate the first hour of the day to focused, deep work. It is at this time that your mind is alertest and most capable of handling complex tasks. Cal Newport, in Deep Work (2016), claims that this is key to productivity.

4. Daily Walks or Exercise 🚶‍♀️

Exercise is medicine! Exercise is a priority for high-achieving CEOs such as Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg in their morning routines. Exercise increases endorphins and mood. It also boosts energy throughout the day. Even a 10-minute walk has a positive effect on your physical and mental health (Ratey 2008).

5. Reading Nonfiction Books 📚

Successful entrepreneurs spend time each morning reading nonfiction books or listening to podcasts. This habit can stimulate your mind and provide new perspectives. It can also inspire innovative ideas. Spend 10-15 minutes every morning reading a chapter, or listening to a podcast.

6. Hydration—Drink Plenty of Water 💧

Your body becomes dehydrated after a long night's sleep. Start the day with water. It will improve your cognitive function and kickstart your metabolism (Popkin et. al., 2010). Add a lemon slice or electrolyte to give it an extra boost.

7. Time Blocking for Task Achievement 🕒

Time-blocking is a great way to plan your day. It means you can allocate specific time blocks to certain tasks. You can reduce your decision fatigue by planning your day and staying focused on your goals. This method is used by many entrepreneurs to remain productive and not feel overwhelmed.

8. Writing Down Goals and Visualization ✍️

Write down your goals to start your day. Spend a few moments visualizing yourself achieving your goals. Visualization can improve performance and motivation, according to studies (Taylor, et. al. 1998). You can train your brain by mentally practicing success.

Create Your Morning Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide ☀️

Are you ready to create your ideal morning routine? Here's how to break it down.

Identify Your Goals: What are your goals for the morning? Better focus? Better health? Clarity? Clarity?

Select 1-2 habits to start: Choose one or two habits that you feel resonate with. Remember, start small!

Set Up Your Environment to Succeed: The night before, prepare your environment. This could include laying out your workout clothes, placing your journal on your table, or preparing ingredients for a healthy morning. Habit stacking is a great way to combine new habits with existing ones. Use the morning brushing of your teeth as a prompt to meditate right after.

Track your progress: Keep a habit-tracking journal or tracker. Celebrate your small victories to keep motivated! Do not be afraid to adjust and optimize your routine. Change it up if something doesn't work.

It's important to be consistent and discover what works for you.

Wrapping it up with Tough love 🫶🏻

It's not about copying someone else's morning routine. It's about finding out what works for you and sticking with it. Yes, it's hard at first. You'll probably want to skip a few days. Remember, each day offers a new opportunity to achieve greatness. Start small, be consistent, and show yourself grace. You'll thank yourself in the future.

Let's rise and shine and crush these mornings! 💪