What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

Successful people know that the early hours of the day are a treasure trove of opportunity. What could you achieve if you started your mornings with purpose?

1. Mornings Are the Best Time for What Matters Most

Mornings are often chaotic, but they hold untapped potential for meaningful activities. Instead of rushing through tasks, you can use this time to focus on what truly matters to you. Whether it’s exercising, working on a creative project, or spending time with loved ones, mornings offer a quiet, distraction-free window to get things done.

Laura Vanderkam highlights that many high achievers, like CEOs and entrepreneurs, wake up early to prioritize their goals. For example, James Citrin, a headhunting executive, uses his mornings for exercise and reflection. Similarly, Steve Reinemund, former CEO of PepsiCo, starts his day at 5 a.m. with a run, prayer, and breakfast with his family. These routines help them stay grounded and productive.

The key is to stop postponing important tasks. If you wait until later in the day, distractions and fatigue will likely derail your plans. By tackling meaningful activities first thing in the morning, you set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

Examples

• James Citrin wakes up before 6 a.m. to exercise and reflect.
• Steve Reinemund runs four miles at 5 a.m. and spends time with his family.
• Many successful executives use early mornings for personal growth and focus.

2. Focus on Non-Urgent but Important Tasks

The best morning routines aren’t about chores or emails—they’re about long-term goals. These are the activities that don’t demand immediate attention but can transform your life over time. Whether it’s writing a book, learning a new skill, or building relationships, mornings are ideal for these pursuits.

Debbie Moysychyn, a healthcare executive, struggled to find time for her projects due to constant interruptions at work. By dedicating her mornings to focused work, she was able to make progress on her goals while maintaining an open-door policy during the rest of the day. This balance allowed her to nurture her career and her team.

The secret is to identify what’s important but often overlooked. Use your mornings to invest in these areas, and you’ll see significant progress over time.

Examples

• Debbie Moysychyn used mornings for focused work on her projects.
• Writing a book or learning a skill can be done in small, consistent morning sessions.
• Mornings are perfect for uninterrupted time to think and plan.

3. Strengthen Relationships in the Morning

Mornings aren’t just for work—they’re also a great time to connect with loved ones. After a long day, it’s easy to feel too tired to engage meaningfully with family or friends. But in the morning, you’re refreshed and can give them your full attention.

Kathryn Beaumont Murphy, a busy tax lawyer, realized her late nights were cutting into family time. By shifting her schedule to wake up earlier, she created space for breakfast with her daughter. This simple change brought her family closer together and made mornings a cherished part of their day.

Whether it’s having breakfast together, sharing a conversation, or even enjoying a quiet moment, mornings can become a time to nurture your most important relationships.

Examples

• Kathryn Beaumont Murphy started having breakfast with her daughter.
• Families can use mornings for quality time before the day’s chaos begins.
• Early mornings can be a time for couples to connect, even if it’s just a quick chat.

4. Self-Care Starts in the Morning

When life gets busy, self-care is often the first thing to go. But mornings are a perfect time to focus on yourself. Whether it’s exercising, meditating, or pursuing a hobby, dedicating time to self-care can improve your overall well-being.

Many successful people use their mornings for personal growth. For instance, some train for marathons, while others write, paint, or meditate. These activities not only boost mental and physical health but also set a positive tone for the day.

The trick is to identify what recharges you and make it a morning priority. Even 20 minutes of self-care can make a big difference in how you feel and perform throughout the day.

Examples

• Executives interviewed by James Citrin use mornings for hobbies and exercise.
• Training for a marathon or meditating can be done in the early hours.
• Laura Vanderkam uses her mornings to write and reflect.

5. Track Your Time to Find Hidden Opportunities

If you want to make the most of your mornings, you first need to understand how you’re currently spending your time. Tracking your time for a week can reveal patterns and help you identify areas where you can make changes.

For example, you might discover that you’re staying up late watching TV or scrolling through your phone. By cutting back on these activities, you can go to bed earlier and wake up feeling refreshed. Tracking your time also helps you see where you can delegate or streamline tasks to free up your mornings.

Once you know where your time goes, you can start making intentional choices about how to use it more effectively.

Examples

• Tracking time helps identify unproductive late-night habits.
• Delegating tasks like packing lunches can free up morning hours.
• Laura Vanderkam uses time logs to optimize her schedule.

6. Plan Your Ideal Morning Routine

Creating a morning routine starts with envisioning your perfect start to the day. What would you do if you had no distractions? By picturing your ideal morning, you can begin to make it a reality.

For Laura Vanderkam, an ideal morning includes a run, breakfast with her family, and time to write. This routine helps her feel accomplished and connected before the day’s demands take over. Your ideal morning might look different, but the key is to plan for activities that energize and inspire you.

Once you’ve envisioned your routine, start making small changes to align your mornings with your goals.

Examples

• Laura Vanderkam’s ideal morning includes running and family time.
• Planning your morning helps you prioritize meaningful activities.
• Small adjustments, like waking up 15 minutes earlier, can make a big difference.

7. Weekends Are for Rejuvenation

Weekends are a chance to recharge, but they often slip away without much to show for them. Planning a few key activities in advance can help you make the most of your time off.

For example, you might schedule a family picnic, a hike, or a visit to a museum. These activities don’t have to be elaborate, but they should feel different from your weekday routine. Planning ahead also gives you something to look forward to, which can boost your mood throughout the week.

By being intentional about your weekends, you can create memories and return to work feeling refreshed.

Examples

• Planning a picnic or hike can make weekends more meaningful.
• Scheduling downtime ensures you get the rest you need.
• Anticipating weekend plans can make the workweek more enjoyable.

8. Success Requires Daily Planning

Success doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of consistent planning. Setting daily goals and holding yourself accountable can help you stay on track and make steady progress.

Fitness entrepreneur Chalene Johnson sets small, achievable goals each day, like scheduling a meeting or brainstorming ideas. These daily wins build momentum and keep her motivated. Sharing your goals with an accountability partner can also help you stay focused.

By planning your days with intention, you can work toward your long-term goals without feeling overwhelmed.

Examples

• Chalene Johnson sets daily goals to stay motivated.
• Accountability partners can help you stick to your plans.
• Breaking big goals into smaller tasks makes them more manageable.

9. Happiness Comes from Progress

Happiness isn’t just about achieving big milestones—it’s also about recognizing small wins along the way. Noticing progress, whether it’s completing a project or receiving positive feedback, can boost your mood and motivation.

A study by Harvard researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer found that employees were happiest on days when they made progress on meaningful work. By paying attention to these moments, you can cultivate a sense of accomplishment and joy.

Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and you’ll find more happiness in your daily life.

Examples

• Harvard research shows progress leads to happiness.
• Positive feedback can boost your mood and motivation.
• Celebrating small wins helps you stay focused and energized.

Takeaways

1. Track your time for a week to identify where you can make changes and free up your mornings.
2. Start small when building a morning routine—focus on one meaningful activity and add more over time.
3. Plan your weekends in advance to include both rest and activities that bring you joy.