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Success isn’t about the glitz and glamour; it’s not even about the size of your bank account. It’s about winning as many days as possible.
And to win the day, we must win the morning.
Today, we dive into seven ways high achievers do this.
And the best part?
These are simple habits that anyone can incorporate into their daily routine.
Let’s get into it.
01 Set clear intentions
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins
High-achieving men don’t just stumble through their day, hoping to get things done. Instead, they know exactly what they want to accomplish and set their mind on achieving those goals.
Setting clear intentions helps to focus your mind, making you more productive and efficient throughout the day. It’s like having a roadmap for your day; you know where you’re going and how to get there.
Do you truly set clear intentions when you wake up, or do you just take the day as it comes?
02 Get some exercise
High-achieving men understand that a sharp mind requires a healthy body. So, they start their day with some form of physical activity.
Almost all successful men I know do some sort of exercise in the morning, be it running 5K, getting in some weights, or going for a swim.
But don’t just take my word for it, it seems most successful do some kind of exercise in the morning. Here are just a few examples:
- Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, wakes up at 3:45 a.m. and, after working on emails for an hour, heads to the gym around 5 a.m. for a one-hour workout. Cook emphasizes that exercising helps him manage stress.
- Barack Obama did weights and cardio before starting his day at the Oval Office around 9 a.m.
- Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL, author, and podcaster, has a highly disciplined and rigorous morning routine. He typically wakes up between 4:30 to 4:45 a.m. every day and begins with a workout.
- Richard Branson gets up at 5 AM and starts his day by playing tennis, biking, going for a run, or kitesurfing. He says that exercise improves his productivity.
If you haven’t developed this habit already, it’s time to kick off those covers and get moving!
03 Fuel their body with a healthy breakfast
Picture this: You’re getting ready for a marathon. You wouldn’t dream of starting the race without properly fueling your body, right?
The same principle applies to your daily life.
High-achieving men treat every day like a marathon and know that it all starts with a healthy breakfast. It could be a protein-packed smoothie, a bowl of whole-grain cereal, or even a plate of scrambled eggs and avocados.
In the below video, clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson, even claims that it reduces anxiety and makes us less irritable. He recommends eating a “substantial” breakfast.
So ask yourself: are you giving your body the fuel it needs to perform at its best throughout the day?
04 Cultivate gratitude
If you are a regular reader here at The Considered Man, you may know this is a huge one for me. Incorporating some gratitude journalling in my morning routine has been nothing short of a game-changer. It’s really helped me to start the day on a good note.
And the research backs it up.
According to studies, practicing gratitude can reduce depression and anxiety, support heart health, relieve stress, and improve sleep quality. These benefits are achieved by fostering a positive outlook on life, influencing physiological factors like blood pressure, and promoting restful thoughts conducive to good sleep.
High-achieving men consciously acknowledge and appreciate the good things in their lives, no matter how small. This simple act of gratitude helps them start their day with a positive outlook and keeps them grounded.
05 Invest in self-improvement
Did you know that, in spite of his colossal success, Bill Gates reads 50 books a year?
High-achieving men understand that growth and success are directly proportional to self-improvement. They don’t wait for “free time” to invest in themselves; they make it a priority.
This could mean reading a book, learning a new skill, or even listening to an informative podcast while getting ready.
By doing this, they’re not just improving their knowledge and skills, but they’re also setting a positive tone for the day ahead. They’re starting their day with growth and learning, which fuels their motivation and productivity.
06 Practice mindfulness and meditation
One of the most powerful habits high-achieving men incorporate into their morning routines is mindfulness and meditation. This isn’t about spirituality or religion; it’s about centering the mind, reducing stress, and enhancing focus for the day ahead.
Successful individuals like Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, and Jeff Weiner, former CEO of LinkedIn, have publicly shared how meditation is integral to their daily routines.
Incorporating meditation into your morning doesn’t require a lot of time. Starting with as little as five minutes can make a significant difference in your daily routine. The key is consistency and finding a method that works for you, whether it’s guided meditation apps, deep breathing exercises, or just sitting quietly and focusing on your thoughts.
07 Avoid hitting the snooze button
While it might be tempting to grab a few extra minutes of sleep, hitting snooze can set a negative tone for the day, beginning with procrastination and lack of discipline.
Successful individuals like Richard Branson and Apple CEO Tim Cook are known for their early and decisive wake-up routines. They understand that how you start your morning often sets the precedent for the rest of the day. By resisting the temptation to snooze, they are effectively making a conscious decision to take control of their day from the moment they wake up.
This practice is about more than just getting out of bed; it’s a metaphor for not putting off tasks and facing challenges head-on. It cultivates a mindset of immediacy and action, which is essential for productivity and success.
Do you start your day with delay and postponement, or do you rise with purpose and intent?
The bottom line
Success isn’t a product of luck or happenstance. It’s a result of consistent habits and routines that high-achieving men practice every morning. From setting clear intentions to visualizing success, these habits set the tone for their day and ultimately their lives.
But remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to success. What works for one person may not work for another. The key is to experiment with these habits and find out what resonates with you.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Are there any morning habits you swear by? Any that you’re planning to adopt?
Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.
