3 Morning Routine Ideas I Stole From Successful People

And no, it’s not getting up at 5am, meditating or exercising.

A psychological theory known as social learning theory suggests we learn through observation and imitation of others.

And, because our morning routines are an instrumental tool in creating success, who better to look at than those who are successful.

Whether you want to become healthier, develop your business or live a more meaningful life, your morning routine sets you up to do that. Because of this, it becomes vital that you have morning routine ideas, to help you on the right trajectory for the day.

Here are a few morning routine ideas I stole from successful people that are working for me. They may help enhance your mornings and build a better day ahead.

1. Take Your Time In The Morning

When I looked at stories and articles from those who are successful, the biggest idea or theme that I found was they all take their god damn time in the mornings.

We think to be successful or healthier we have to be fast-acting. The world has conditioned us to think in this way. And, if you don’t then you’re going to fail.

But let’s take a second to see what the most successful do:

• Warren Buffet reads a hell of a lot before he gets to work.
• Jeff Bezos sits down with his family for breakfast.
• Richard Branson mentioned he loves family time before “getting down to business.”

They’re not rushing to do anything at all.

The beauty of taking your time is it gives you more to do before you actually begin your work. For example, Warren Buffet is taking in new information and learning constantly. Bezos and Branson are enjoying some leisurely time.

I stole this morning routine idea and developed my own way of taking time. I’ll get up, make my bed, get ready and sit down for a nice breakfast. I’ll have some porridge with fresh fruit, a milky coffee, some eggs or peanutbutter. I’ll also just sit there with nothing in front of me. I like the silence and the peace during this time. Then, when I do start my work a while later, I feel so relaxed, prepared and fresh minded.

What to do, in a nutshell:

Don’t become conditioned into this fast-paced world. Slow down.

Try different things in the morning to see what you like which can help you slow down. Whether it’s something similar to the examples above or different, give it a go and see what works best.

If you live with your family spend time with them first or go for walk and have some breakfast somewhere.

Whatever it is just remember, take your time. It can really help reduce your stress in the mornings and prepare you for a productive day ahead.

“It’s about being smart, taking your time, keeping your composure, just going out there and being the best that you can be.”— Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

2. Start Your Morning Routine In The Evening

When I scrolled through stories on morning routines, a key idea that stood out was having a killer evening ritual that sets up your morning.

I’ve been there so many times where I’m about to start work but I’ve got a billion things to do and don’t know where to start. I end up wasting a load of time deciding what to do. But, if I make that part of my evening routine, it kicks off my morning perfectly (after I’ve taken my time, of course).

For example:

• Investor Kevin O’Leary writes down three things he has to do in the morning before he goes to sleep.
• Arianna Huffington has an evening routine of removing electronic devices, having a hot bath, drinking chamomile or lavender tea and writing down things she’s grateful for.

The key morning routine idea here is you set your morning up with a perfect evening.

In the evenings, I’ll always spend time having dinner and watching a bit of TV, be around people that are close to me and note down what I need to do in the morning.

By doing this I realised the importance is fulfilment. I feel fulfilled by doing those things and so do those who are successful. That’s what enables you to rest and kickstart your morning.

What to do, in a nutshell:

Figure out what you like doing in the evenings. What is going to make you feel fulfilled and pleased before you go to bed and wake up in the morning? This can help you develop that evening ritual that sets up your morning.

I’d also always recommend, in the evening, take time to think about what you need to do in the mornings.

That way, when you start your work, you won’t waste time deciding what’s best to do — you can get straight to it.

3. Find What’s Right For You

There’s not one magical morning routine.

Successful people themselves conflict with each other in their morning routines:

• Actors like Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg are notoriously known for waking between 2–4am to get on with their day. In contrast, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffet wake up between 6:30-6:45am. Mark Zuckerberg wakes up even later at 8am.
• Bill gates reportedly likes to walk on the treadmill and watch DVDs in the morning. But, Bezos takes it easy and ‘putters’. He gets up early, has coffee, reads and has breakfast with his kids.

This is one of the biggest morning routine ideas I stole. I stole it in the sense that I wasn't copying anyone. Instead, I was taking the idea of diversity in a morning routine.

Again, I’ve seen too much on “you must wake up at 5am because all successful people do it.”

Forget that. Successful people know what’s right for them in their morning routines. So do the same.

It’s as if you’re copying them by not copying them — if that even makes sense! All their morning routines are personalised, so you need to do that.

For example, I wake up at 8am. That’s because I go sleep late, around 12am-1am. I do quite a bit of work at night because I get so many ideas. So I purposely sleep in a little so I’m not tired during the day. At the moment, that’s right for me, but of course, it may change in a year or years ahead.

You’re only going to be able to find what’s right for you through trial and error.

What to do, in a nutshell:

Copy successful peoples morning routines and see what’s best for you.

Try sleeping early and waking at 6am to see how you feel. Take your time and have breakfast or be with family in the mornings. Or, read a lot in the morning like Warren Buffet.

You’ll find something in these routines which click and will set you on the right path for the day.

That’s the beauty of taking morning routine ideas from successful people. You get to make them your own — which for me is so important.

“Find out what works, and do more of that.”— Steve de Shazer

Final Comments

Our morning routine sets us up for the day. That’s why there’s so much fuss about them and we see loads of articles and stories about successful peoples morning routines.

I wanted to make my own morning routine that was based on those top entrepreneurs out there.

For me, we can’t copy someone’s morning routine entirely. We’re all different. That’s why instead of stealing specific morning routine tips from successful individuals, I stole their ideas.

I wasn't looking for specific tips. I looked for certain themes that stood out with which I could take and create my own routine with.

My morning routines have definitely contributed to me publishing articles consistently, networking with more people, obtaining freelance clients and developing an audiobook too.

To help kick on with your day keep these three morning routine ideas I took from successful individuals in your mind and create your own:

Take your time in the mornings.

Start your morning routine in the evening.

Find what’s right for you.

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