My Morning Routine

“All of life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. Can tweaking your morning habits unlock your best day?

1. Wake Up With Purpose

Waking up with purpose transforms mornings from a dreaded task into a time of opportunity. Having something meaningful to anticipate provides motivation to rise. This could be an important duty, a passion project, or even some quiet personal time.

MIT president Leo Rafael Reif starts his day early to review his inbox and stay connected with the global institution he leads. This sense of responsibility propels him to get up, often even before his alarm goes off. Contrast this with author Caroline Paul, who dedicates her mornings to peaceful reading, her passion and source of joy. Meanwhile, photographer Andre Wagner uses the early hours to capture New York City’s morning light, blending his professional and creative interests.

Avoiding the snooze button is another simple but effective tip. Light slumber leaves you more fatigued than getting up when the alarm first rings. Experiment and adapt these practices; finding what resonates with you is key.

Examples

• Leo Rafael Reif uses mornings to scan his inbox and prepare for global updates at MIT.
• Caroline Paul relishes quiet morning hours to read books she loves.
• Andre Wagner takes to the streets to photograph the transformative early light.

2. Prioritize Morning Productivity

Your morning hours are golden for focusing on your most vital work. With fewer distractions, it's an ideal time to tackle significant projects or creative endeavors before the day gets too chaotic.

Take Sheena Brady, founder of Tease Tea. She dedicates her mornings to her tea company before her day job begins at Shopify, ensuring her business gets the attention it deserves. Similarly, Todd Henry develops his creative projects in the calm of the morning, emphasizing that starting your day this way sets a proactive, instead of reactive, tone. Avoid beginning your day with emails, suggests Ryan Holiday, as they derail personal goals and let external agendas take over.

Creating a daily to-do list can also enhance focus. Senior editor Geoff Colvin starts every day by writing down his goals, beginning with the most important, which keeps him focused and objective-driven.

Examples

• Sheena Brady reserves mornings for her entrepreneurial work before her full-time job.
• Todd Henry uses mornings for studying and writing, focusing on personal growth.
• Geoff Colvin plans his daily tasks each morning, prioritizing the critical ones first.

3. Early Exercise Energizes Your Day

Exercise isn’t just about fitness; it’s a way to prepare your mind and body for the day. A morning workout generates energy and positivity that lasts for hours, helping you face challenges with resilience.

Caroline Burckle, an Olympic swimmer, describes her gym workouts as a form of meditation, blending mental and physical benefits. Former Twentieth Century Fox president Sherry Lansing notices how skipping exercise negatively affects her day and strives to make it a priority. Mixing up routines is important, as shown by retired General Stanley McChrystal, who alternates between running and weight training to stay engaged and avoid burnout.

If hitting the gym feels overwhelming, start small. Julie Zhuo, Facebook's VP of product design, exercises on a cross-trainer for just 10-15 minutes, making it as manageable as brushing her teeth.

Examples

• Caroline Burckle uses gym sessions as mental and physical prep.
• Stanley McChrystal alternates workout routines to stay motivated and avoid injury.
• Julie Zhuo incorporates brief cross-trainer sessions into her mornings.

4. Morning Mindfulness Through Meditation

Meditation provides moments of thoughtfulness, clarity, and calm before tackling daily demands. Many high-performing individuals view it as an essential part of their routine.

Michael Acton Smith, CEO of Calm, leads a daily meditation session at his office, uniting the team and setting a peaceful tone for the day. Aiste Gazdar uses mornings to meditate and mentally organize her plans, while Ed Catmull, Pixar’s president, meditates daily to remain poised when unexpected situations arise.

You don’t need an elaborate setup to begin. Even focusing on simple activities like making coffee with attention can cultivate mindfulness, turning an ordinary routine into a grounding practice.

Examples

• Michael Acton Smith leads morning meditations with his team at Calm.
• Ed Catmull meditates daily for mental balance, even on busy days.
• Aiste Gazdar centers her mind through meditation before tackling her responsibilities.

5. Create "Me Time" Before the Day Takes Over

Before the world demands your attention, reserve time for yourself. Doing something small and personal can help you feel accomplished before the day officially begins.

Melody McCloskey, CEO of StyleSeat, uses her mornings to tidy up and address personal issues, paving the way for a productive day. Artist Elle Luna records her dreams upon waking, a source of creative inspiration for her artwork. Illustrator Yuko Shimizu takes the long train to work just to steal a few more minutes of reading time.

Avoid immediately jumping into work. A slower, more intentional start can have a calming effect on the entire day, making you more effective and less stressed.

Examples

• Melody McCloskey addresses personal goals at dawn to stay ahead.
• Elle Luna uses a dictaphone to capture her dreams, inspiring her art.
• Yuko Shimizu reads during her commute, enriching her mornings.

6. Set Up Mornings the Night Before

Your evening habits impact the success of your morning routine. Preparing for the next day ensures you start stress-free.

Nir Eyal disconnects from the internet at 10:00 p.m., ensuring restful sleep by 11:00. Author David Kadavy uses blue-blocker glasses and avoids screens before bedtime to keep sleep quality intact. Simple tasks like laying out clothing, as Bob Moore of Bob’s Red Mill does nightly, make mornings smoother.

Even noting things you're grateful for or reflecting on the day can clear your mind. Jenny Blake winds down by thinking of daily highlights, signaling to her brain that it’s time for rest.

Examples

• Nir Eyal sets an internet cutoff at 10:00 p.m. to protect his evenings.
• Jenny Blake reflects on highlights of her day before sleeping.
• Bob Moore preps his outfit each night to streamline his mornings.

7. Sleep: The Foundation of Every Morning

Sleep directly impacts your mental clarity and energy levels. Going to bed consistently and clocking enough hours primes you for better mornings.

Arianna Huffington, who once pushed herself to exhaustion, now prioritizes eight hours of rest every night. Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, believes clear thinking stems from adequate rest, and he adjusts his schedule to protect his sleep. Brad Feld, a venture capitalist, no longer uses alarms but instead wakes naturally with enough sleep.

Whether that means heading to bed earlier or dismissing your alarm, tailoring your rest habits can revolutionize every day.

Examples

• Arianna Huffington focuses on eight full hours to maintain well-being.
• Scott Adams adjusts his day for mental sharpness through proper rest.
• Brad Feld swapped alarms for waking naturally after sufficient sleep.

8. Parenting Calls for Adjusted Patterns

Children bring responsibility and joy, but they require flexibility in routines. For parents, morning rituals often shift to accommodate family life.

Nick Bilton, previously an early-morning worker, now rises with his toddler. Twitter co-founder Biz Stone adjusts his mornings to maximize time with his five-year-old. Washington's attorney general Bob Ferguson wakes at dawn to fit in personal activities before his twins are awake.

Even as life changes, cherishing moments with your family can bring balance and fulfillment into your morning.

Examples

• Nick Bilton revamped mornings to match his toddler's schedule.
• Biz Stone devotes the first hour of his day to playing with his child.
• Bob Ferguson wakes early to strategize quiet, productive hours before parenting.

9. Travel and Routine Can Coexist

Travel disrupts comfortable patterns, but tweaking your practices for new environments keeps routines intact.

Cameron Russell adapts by always bringing books to read, relying on small, portable habits. M.G. Siegler carries a favorite drink, making mornings consistent even in unfamiliar places. Peter Balyta tailors his workout to his location, be it jogging the Great Wall or using hotel furniture creatively.

Being adaptable and prioritizing consistent rituals help ensure productivity on the road.

Examples

• Cameron Russell reads wherever she travels to anchor her routine.
• M.G. Siegler sticks to a bottled coffee habit for consistency.
• Peter Balyta crafts travel-friendly workouts inspired by his surroundings.

Takeaways

1. Build a morning routine suited to what you love and need by experimenting with activities like exercise, meditation, or me time.
2. Ensure restful nights by disconnecting from technology and committing to consistent sleep schedules.
3. When life disrupts your rituals, adapt and maintain essential parts of your routine, even in new circumstances.