Most people hit the snooze button or fumble through their morning routine half-asleep.
Meanwhile, successful entrepreneurs often knock out half their day’s priorities before 8 AM.
There’s something about those early hours that gives them a head start, setting the tone for a productive, driven day.
Below are 7 things they do long before everyone else is checking social media or sipping a sluggish cup of coffee.
If you’re looking to level up your morning habits, consider adding a few (or all) of these into your routine.
1. They wake up at a set time—even on rough days
A consistent wake-up call builds discipline. It trains your body to get moving, no matter how tempting the pillows feel.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to hop out of bed at 4 AM. But you do need to pick a time and stick with it.
Tim Ferriss has shared that your first decision of the day — whether to get up or snooze — sets the tone for all the other decisions you’ll make.
If you choose discipline here, it’s easier to apply that same discipline when you’re faced with other challenges later.
Some entrepreneurs swear by 5:30 or 6:00, but pick whatever works for you. The key is consistency, so your internal clock learns when it’s game time.
I noticed that once I nailed a fixed wake-up schedule, I felt less groggy overall.
My mind got used to shifting into gear at that hour, so I could tackle projects and tasks while the world still felt quiet. That stillness can be incredibly energizing if you embrace it.
2. They hydrate (and sometimes caffeinate) with intention
Before downing that triple-shot latte, most successful entrepreneurs hydrate.
Think a tall glass of water, maybe with lemon, or even a quick electrolyte drink. It’s a small step that often helps kickstart their system after hours of sleep.
Sure, coffee is still a staple.
But they’re not usually mindlessly chugging it.
Some do a slow, deliberate brew — French press, pour-over, you name it — to savor the process.
Others might opt for tea. The point isn’t to drown in caffeine; it’s to approach morning drinks with a purposeful mindset, waking up the body and mind gently.
I once fell into the habit of slamming coffee the minute I opened my eyes.
All it did was spike my nerves.
When I switched to having water first and coffee 20 minutes later, I noticed a more balanced energy flow. It sounds trivial, but setting that small routine can provide a moment of calm before the day’s chaos begins.
3. They plan (or review) their day’s top goals
It’s easy to wake up, check emails, and let other people’s demands shape your day.
Top entrepreneurs flip the script.
They spend a quick block of time identifying their key priorities—maybe it’s closing a sales deal, finalizing a pitch deck, or even picking up new leads.
Some do it the night before, so the morning is just a review.
Others like to write a short list while their brain is fresh. Warren Buffett has famously suggested that saying “no” to lesser tasks is just as important as completing the crucial ones.
This morning check-in helps you say “no” where needed and guard the time for what matters most.
Ever find yourself swamped by 10 AM, unsure what’s urgent?
That’s the scenario these folks avoid. They set their daily “mission” early, so distractions and emails don’t steer them off track.
4. They fit in some form of exercise
It might be a brisk walk around the block, a quick yoga session, or a fully-fledged gym workout.
Exercising in the morning fires up your metabolism and sharpens your brain — making you more alert for the tasks that await. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or intense, but it does have to be consistent.
James Clear once wrote that small habits compound over time. A 15-minute daily run can build remarkable endurance if you stick with it. The same logic applies to morning exercise.
A few minutes of jumping jacks or a light jog can spark a sense of accomplishment before you even touch your computer.
I used to think there was no way I’d work out at 6 AM.
Then I realized it didn’t need to be a marathon. Starting with a simple bodyweight routine—push-ups, squats, planks—was enough to wake me up and set a positive tone.
After a month, I noticed how much energy I had for the rest of the day, and it motivated me to stick with it.
5. They feed their mind before the work grind
Entrepreneurs who thrive often spend time absorbing new information or fueling their creativity first thing.
Some read a chapter of a book, others journal, and some listen to a motivational podcast while they prep breakfast.
It’s about engaging the mind in something enriching.
Jordan Peterson has noted that consistently exposing yourself to new ideas keeps you sharp. The morning is prime time for it, because your brain isn’t cluttered with the day’s stress.
Even if it’s just 10 minutes of reading, you’re laying mental groundwork for innovation and problem-solving.
Journaling can also be huge.
Not the laborious kind you dreaded in school—just a quick brain dump of ideas, goals, or anxieties you want to address.
It clears mental space and helps you see patterns or solutions that might be hiding beneath the surface.
6. They connect with a supportive network (or themselves)
Some entrepreneurs do quick morning check-ins with co-founders or team members — brief calls or Slack messages to align on the day’s priorities.
Others take the opposite approach, using the quiet hours for personal reflection or meditation, ensuring they’re centered before interacting with anyone else.
Both methods revolve around intentional connection. If it’s a team chat, they keep it short and direct, so it doesn’t spiral into a full-blown meeting.
If it’s alone time, they might meditate for 5-10 minutes, repeating affirmations or focusing on their breath to reduce anxiety.
I’ve seen people handle both approaches effectively.
One friend has a startup team spread across time zones, so a 7 AM group huddle keeps everyone synced. Another swears that 10 minutes of mindfulness practice reduces the number of silly mistakes he’d make otherwise.
Either way, they set themselves up mentally to face the day’s challenges.
7. They make time for gratitude or reflection
This one might sound woo-woo if you’re not used to it, but gratitude can ground you like nothing else.
Whether they scribble down three things they’re grateful for or just pause to acknowledge their blessings, many high-achievers swear it prevents them from taking things for granted.
Simon Sinek has mentioned that focusing on what you have rather than what you lack fuels a more optimistic mindset.
That perspective is a huge advantage in business, where setbacks can strike unexpectedly. Spending a moment each morning recognizing the wins—no matter how small—makes you more resilient for the day ahead.
It could be a quick prayer, a mental list, or a note in your phone.
However you do it, the key is genuine appreciation. That shift in mindset can reduce stress and keep you from slipping into a negative headspace when challenges hit at 3 PM.
Wrapping up
The common thread among these morning routines is intention.
Successful entrepreneurs don’t stumble through their mornings — they script them. They see early hours as an opportunity to align their body, mind, and daily goals in a meaningful way.
If you’re used to hitting snooze or checking your phone first thing, making all these changes might feel like a tall order.
Start small. Pick one habit—like a short walk or a quick gratitude list—and do it consistently.
Over time, you’ll find that seizing the morning helps you dominate the rest of the day.
Until next time, friends
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