7 things highly successful men do before 8am every day, according to psychology

Success isn’t accidental, it’s a result of consistent habits and routines.

Especially those early bird rituals that set the tone for the rest of the day. Believe it or not, there are specific things that highly successful men do before 8 am every day, and science backs this up.

As a guy who’s always looking to maximize my productivity, I’ve delved into psychology to understand these morning routines better. And now, I’m ready to share with you seven things that successful men do before most people even hit the snooze button.

Let’s get started.

1) Wake up early

It might seem obvious, but let’s not overlook the first essential step – waking up early.

According to psychology, our brains are most alert and creative in the morning. This is why many successful men harness this time to get ahead before the day’s chaos begins.

It’s not just about beating the sunrise, though. It’s about creating a quiet, uninterrupted space to focus on personal growth and planning for success.

Yes, it might mean sacrificing an extra hour or two of sleep. But as many successful men can attest, the benefits far outweigh the early alarm clock buzz.

It’s not about torturing yourself with sleep deprivation. It’s about adjusting your sleep schedule to maximize your productivity and potential.

2) Exercise regularly

Here’s a personal confession – I wasn’t always a morning workout person. I used to firmly believe that exercise was best reserved for the evening.

But then, I read about how successful men like Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg swear by their morning workouts. Intrigued, I began my own experiment.

I started with just a simple jog around my neighborhood before 8 am. The difference was almost immediate – I felt more awake, more focused and surprisingly, even more motivated to tackle the tasks of the day.

As it turns out, there’s science behind it. Psychology tells us that exercise releases endorphins, those feel-good hormones that boost our mood and energy levels.

I’ve been an early morning exerciser ever since. And if you’re looking to join the ranks of highly successful men, I suggest you give it a try too. It could be a game-changer.

3) Plan their day

Jumping into the day without a plan is like setting sail without a compass. Highly successful men know the power of planning their day in advance, often before 8am.

Take Benjamin Franklin, for example. His daily schedule famously included an early morning review of his tasks and goals for the day. He’d ask himself, “What good shall I do today?”

Planning isn’t just about organizing your to-do list. It’s about setting clear intentions and goals for your day. It’s about prioritizing what needs your attention and what can wait.

With a solid plan in place, you’re not just reacting to whatever comes your way. Instead, you’re proactively steering your day towards success.

4) Eat a healthy breakfast

Your mom was right when she said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Highly successful men understand that fueling their bodies with nutritious food in the morning is key to maintaining energy levels and focus throughout the day.

Skipping breakfast can leave you feeling sluggish, distracted, and unproductive. On the other hand, a balanced meal that includes protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates can boost your brain power and keep you satiated until lunch.

Not a big breakfast eater? That’s okay. Even a small meal or a protein-packed smoothie can do the trick. Just make sure you’re not running on empty as you dive into your daily tasks.

5) Practice mindfulness

I’ll be honest here, I used to be quite skeptical about mindfulness and meditation. It seemed a bit too abstract for me. But after giving it a try, I found it to be a game-changer.

Starting my day with even just a few minutes of quiet reflection sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. It helps me clear my mind, focus on the present moment and approach the day with a calm and balanced attitude.

Mindfulness doesn’t have to mean sitting in silence for an hour. It could be as simple as savoring your morning coffee, doing a short guided meditation, or just taking a few deep breaths before diving into your day.

The bottom line is, mindfulness practice has become an integral part of my morning routine, and it’s something that many highly successful men swear by too.

6) Avoid digital distractions

In a world where our phones are often the first thing we reach for in the morning, highly successful men make a conscious effort to avoid this trap. Instead of jumping into emails or scrolling through social media, they use their morning hours for more productive habits.

According to psychology, starting your day with digital distractions can set a reactive tone for the rest of the day. You’re essentially surrendering your agenda to the demands and urgencies of others.

Instead, try to reserve the first hour or two of your day for your most important tasks or self-care routines. Trust me, those emails and notifications can wait. And when you do get to them, you’ll be in a better mental space to handle them effectively.

7) Invest in learning

The most successful men are lifelong learners. They understand that knowledge is power and that there’s always something new to learn. This is why they often dedicate a portion of their early morning hours to learning – whether it’s reading a book, listening to a podcast, or studying a new language.

So, if you want to join the ranks of highly successful men, never stop learning. Make it a part of your daily routine, especially in those quiet early morning hours. Because the more you learn, the more you grow, and the more successful you become.

Final thoughts: Success is crafted

The habits of highly successful men aren’t necessarily a secret, but they do require discipline, consistency, and an early alarm clock. There’s a reason behind each of these habits, rooted in psychology, biology and the shared experiences of those who have achieved great things.

You might not turn into Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos overnight, but incorporating these routines into your own life could set the stage for personal growth and achievement. Remember, success doesn’t happen by accident. It’s crafted each day, often before 8 am.

Whether it’s rising early, working out, planning your day, eating well, being mindful, avoiding digital distractions or investing in continual learning – each habit plays a crucial role in creating the successful man.

As Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

So, as you reflect on these habits of highly successful men, ask yourself – what habits are you crafting in your life? How does your morning routine shape your path to success?

Because remember, every morning is a new opportunity to build the success you desire.

Picture of Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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