Morning Routines of Highly Successful people: Start Today
“Morning routines aren’t just hype—they’re backed by science and practiced by high achievers around the world. Crafting one of your own could be the game-changer your life needs.”.
“Own your morning. Elevate your life.”
—Robin Sharma, The 5 AM Club
Introduction: Morning Routines
Ever wondered what separates ultra-successful individuals from the rest? It’s not always luck, money, or connections—often, it’s how they start their day. Across the board, CEOs, creatives, athletes, and entrepreneurs, all have powerful morning routines, to kick off their day, earlier than the others. This is not a fad like most of the other routines from the so called ‘self help books’. A great morning routine can practically turn your life around and if you do not already have a great morning routine in place, let me try to convince you.
But here’s the best part—you don’t have to be famous, wealthy, or superhuman to benefit. These habits are simple, actionable, and totally doable starting tomorrow morning. It’s as simple as waking up early, dropping everything else and just going out on a walk. That’s it. You just started the first activity, from the list of recommended morning routines.
But that just doesn’t sound convincing enough, right? Let’s take the idea apart and study it in parts and maybe, it might look convincing then. Let’s break down the science-backed habits and timeless wisdom that set winners apart.
Wake Up Early with Intention and Morning Routines
Robin Sharma’s The 5 AM Club champions the idea of rising early to win back control of your time, before the world starts making demands.
“All change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.”
—Robin Sharma
Studies from the University of Leipzig found that early risers tend to be more proactive and less prone to distractions during the day. Start by waking just 15 minutes earlier this week. Use that time not to rush—but to reflect, prepare, and breathe.
Hydrate First Thing
After 7–8 hours without water, your body is dehydrated. Drinking a glass of water first thing replenishes lost fluids, fires up your metabolism, and flushes out toxins. Hydrating first thing in the morning is one of the most fundamental routines, helping to kick-start your metabolism and replenish what your body loses overnight.
💡 Pro Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of Himalayan salt for extra minerals and a metabolic boost. The Himalayan bit was just to spice up the sentence, plain old table salt would do just fine.
Engage in Physical Activity
Whether it’s yoga, a brisk walk, or a quick home workout—movement activates your brain. According to research from the University of British Illinois, exercise boosts memory and concentration by increasing the size of the hippocampus.
“In animal studies, exercise has been shown to specifically affect the hippocampus, significantly increasing the growth of new neurons and cell survival, enhancing memory and learning, and increasing molecules that are involved in the plasticity of the brain,” the doctoral student Laura Chaddock, who assisted the study, said.
Even 10–15 minutes of light cardio can elevate dopamine levels—your brain’s “motivation molecule.” This chemical boost sharpens your focus, uplifts your mood, and helps you stay on track with your goals throughout the day. According to neuroscience research, dopamine plays a key role in habit formation, which means your morning workout could be laying the neurological groundwork for other positive routines to stick.
Practice Mindfulness or Meditation
A 2011 Harvard study found that mindfulness can literally rewire your brain—increasing gray matter in areas linked to focus and emotional regulation.
“Stillness is the key to excellence in a world addicted to speed.”
—Ryan Holiday
Apps like Calm, Headspace, or simply deep breathing for 5 minutes can center your mind and lower cortisol levels.
Journaling for Clarity
Journaling isn’t just for writers. It’s a performance tool. Robin Sharma recommends the “20/20/20 Formula”. Though Robin Sharma, a celebrated Author of the bestselling book “The 5AM Club” is not my favorite source for motivation, he is got a point when he professes the “20/20/20 Formula”. While his 20/20/20 Formula from The 5 AM Club isn’t directly derived from academic research, each component aligns with well-established scientific findings.
20 mins of movement
20 mins of reflection (journaling)
20 mins of growth (reading/learning)
Journaling your goals, affirmations, or even your morning mood helps set the mental GPS for the day. Try a gratitude journal or list your top 3 priorities.
Fuel with a Nutritious Breakfast
Skip the sugary cereals. Successful people fuel their minds with nutrient-dense foods—think protein-packed eggs, chia smoothies, Greek yogurt, or steel-cut oats.
Studies show that a high-protein breakfast can improve attention and reduce cravings throughout the day.
Review Goals and Plan the Day
Top performers don’t just “wing it.” They review their daily targets every morning. Knowing what matters most helps you act with clarity, not chaos.
Use tools like Notion, Todoist, or a simple notebook to map your 3 Most Important Tasks (MITs) for the day.
Limit Screen Time
Avoid reaching for your phone in the first hour. Starting your day in reactive mode—scrolling, checking emails—derails your energy. Instead, protect your “cognitive bandwidth” and stay in control of your attention. Give your mind quiet space to warm up. This quiet period allows you to set the tone for your day, prioritizing your goals over distractions. By creating a buffer before diving into the digital world, you’re allowing yourself to cultivate intentional focus, which can lead to a more productive and fulfilling day.
Read or Listen to Something Uplifting
Even reading just a few pages of an inspiring book or listening to a podcast in the morning can activate your brain’s mirror neurons, subtly influencing your mindset and motivation. If you’re still on the fence about adopting a morning routine, dive into books like the ones listed bolow which are backed by years of research and practical insights that prove how powerful a well-designed morning can be…
Books recommended:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
Deep Work by Cal Newport
They sharpen your thinking and remind you why you’re chasing growth.
Cold Showers or Refreshing Routines
Cold showers are known to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and release endorphins. These benefits not only wake you up but also enhance alertness and improve your mood, making them a great way to kickstart your day. If cold showers aren’t your thing, no worries—just a refreshing wash and a quick grooming ritual can still do wonders. Taking time to clean up and freshen yourself helps signal to your brain that it’s time to transition into “work mode.” This small act of self-care primes your body and mind for performance, sharpening focus and boosting your energy levels for the challenges ahead.
Once you’ve established the foundation of your morning routine, it’s time to level up using a powerful technique called habit stacking. Coined by productivity expert James Clear in his book Atomic Habits, habit stacking is the practice of linking a new habit to an existing one—making it easier to remember and repeat. For example, if you already drink water after waking up, you can stack five minutes of journaling right after that. This method not only simplifies the process of building routines but also creates a natural flow to your mornings, reducing decision fatigue and increasing the likelihood that your habits will stick.
If you have, so far liked reading this, please consider reading our article on time blocking and why it the best time-management method.
Final Thoughts: Win the Morning, Win the Day
You don’t have to do all ten. Your Morning routines need not have any of the ones listed above. Create your own and start with one or two small shifts, and build your momentum. The key is consistency.
High achievers don’t stumble into success. They design their morning routines intentionally, stacking habits that support focus, energy, and growth.
