Millionaires have morning routines that help set them up for success each day. While everyone is different, there are some common themes that many wealthy and successful people follow in the morning.
They Wake Up Early
Many millionaires are early risers, waking up well before the rest of us. Getting up early allows them to get a head start on the day before others, letting them get things done with minimal distractions. According to surveys, the average millionaire wakes up around 5:45 AM.
Some well-known early risers include Apple CEO Tim Cook (3:45 AM), Xerox CEO Ursula Burns (5:00 AM), and Disney CEO Bob Iger (4:30 AM). Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg wakes up at 5:00 AM to get in some exercise and work before her kids wake up.
Waking up early gives millionaires time for exercise, meditation, family, and getting ahead of the day’s tasks before being pulled into meetings and calls. It also allows them to work when their energy and focus are highest, as many find early morning to be the optimal time for big projects and decisions.
They Exercise
Physical activity is a common part of wealthy people’s morning routines. Exercising first thing in the morning provides both physical and mental benefits that set them up to have an energized, productive day.
Many millionaires use the morning to exercise, whether it’s hitting the gym, going for a run, using a home workout routine, or practicing yoga. Some notable early morning exercisers include Apple CEO Tim Cook (gym at 5 AM), former Intel CEO Paul Otellini (gym at 5 AM), and GE CEO Jeff Immelt (workout at 5:30 AM).
Exercise releases endorphins that can improve positivity and mood. It also stimulates brain activity and blood flow, leaving people feeling more awake and alert for taking on the day’s tasks. Additionally, exercise helps reduce stress and clear thinking. The mental clarity and focus gained from regular morning exercise helps millionaires be on top of their game.
They Practice Meditation
Meditation is a habit shared by many wealthy and successful people. Many millionaires start their day with some form of meditation, allowing them to get centered, focused and mentally prepared for the day.
Some well-known meditators include Oprah Winfrey (transcendental meditation), Ray Dalio (transcendental meditation), Rupert Murdoch (transcendental meditation), and Arianna Huffington (mindfulness meditation). Munger has stated, “Take a simple idea and take it seriously.”
A regular meditation practice first thing in the morning helps train focus and awareness. It reduces stress and anxiety. People who meditate report higher productivity, creativity, and focus throughout the day. For millionaires and executives making major decisions that affect the lives of many, this clarity and presence of mind is critical.
They Practice Gratitude
Taking time to practice gratitude is important to many wealthy individuals. Expressing thanks first thing in the morning helps put them in a positive mindset and reminds them of how fortunate they are.
Gratitude can be practiced through journaling, meditation, or just taking a few quiet moments to reflect on people and things they are appreciative of. Some write down three things they are grateful for each morning as a positive ritual. Others say gratitude prayers as part of their morning meditation practice. Others reflect on all they have achieved the day before.
Practicing gratitude first thing makes millionaires more alert to opportunities around them. It helps them maintain perspective and focus on attracting more of what they want in life. It reduces their stress and allows them to operate from a vision of abundance rather than lack – critical factors to continued success.
They Spend Time with Family
Many wealthy people prioritize family in the morning. Eating breakfast with family, seeing their kids off to school, talking to a spouse – these morning moments with loved ones are precious. While their lives are busy, connecting in the morning provides a sense of grounding and perspective.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, wakes up at 5 AM to have breakfast with his family before getting his day started. Oprah Winfrey spends mornings having tea and conversations with her partner Stedman.
Many millionaires find that spending time with family motivates and inspires them to continue working hard. It reminds them of everything they have built and the people they are providing for.
They Plan Out Their Day
Millionaires understand the importance of planning, organization, and efficiency. Many take time in the morning to plan out their day and set priorities. This helps them optimize their time for productivity.
Planning might involve making a to-do list, scheduling meetings and calls, identifying 1-3 top priorities for the day, plotting out workflow, delegating tasks, or reviewing short and long-term goals. Getting their schedule and plan together first thing allows millionaires to walk into their day focused and intentional.
They Tackle Their Biggest Priorities Early
The saying goes “eat a live frog in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you today.” Many millionaires tackle their big, energy-intensive projects first thing in the morning when their focus and willpower are strongest.
Getting the hardest, most important task done first prevents procrastination and ensures millionaires are spending their time on priorities. Knocking out a top project early provides a sense of momentum and productivity to power them through the rest of the day’s work.
They Engage in Self-education and Learning
Lifelong learning is key to continuous growth. Many wealthy individuals use the morning to self-educate, reading books, articles, listening to podcasts, or taking online courses. Investing time into developing their skills and knowledge pays major dividends.
Mark Cuban reads for 3 hours every morning to learn more about industries he’s involved in. Bill Gates reads 50 books per year and dedicates time in the mornings to reading and learning. Oprah Winfrey spends mornings learning – she reads multiple books at once, consuming information that inspires her.
Continuous learning helps millionaires acquire the advanced knowledge needed to make smart decisions and stay at the top of their game. It also stimulates their mind and gets them thinking creatively to start the day.
They Network and Connect with Peers
Building connections with peers and continuing to expand their network is vital for any millionaire in business. Many dedicate time in the mornings to strengthen their relationships and network.
This might involve breakfast meetings with influential people, quick catch-up calls, attending conferences or online networking groups, introducing themselves to new contacts, or following up with recent connections.
Nurturing their network puts them in front of new mentors, potential partners, fresh ideas, and emerging opportunities. For a millionaire, a morning hour spent networking can result in landing lucrative deals and accessing insights that increase their net worth tenfold.
They Visualize and Affirm Their Goals
Visualization and affirmations are useful tools for millionaires to stay focused and motivated towards their goals. Some spend time each morning envisioning their future and desired outcomes vividly, which helps guide their decisions and actions.
Many also practice daily affirmations – repeating empowering statements about themselves, their abilities, and what they intend to accomplish. Affirmations reprogram their subconscious mindset for confidence and success.
Starting the morning by getting crystal clear on goals and reaffirming their vision sets millionaires up to act powerfully in pursuit of their ambitions throughout the day.
Conclusion
Millionaires have well-optimized morning routines that set them up for productivity and success day-in and day-out. Waking early, exercising, meditating, learning, goal-setting, and family time are common themes.
While everyone’s ideal routine is different, focusing on health, family, learning, achievement, and peace in the morning hours can help support clarity, motivation, and excellence throughout the day.