10 Morning Habits of Top CEOs You Can Try
What sets the world’s most successful CEOs apart? Is it raw talent, endless hours of hard work, or visionary leadership? While all of these factors contribute, a lesser-known secret lies in the routines they create—especially during their mornings. Those early hours, when the world is still quiet and distractions are at a minimum, are a golden opportunity to build momentum for a productive day.
The great part? You don’t need to run a Fortune 500 company to benefit from these habits. Below, immerse yourself into a world of insightful routines, inspired by some of the most inspiring CEOs around the globe. Which ones will you add to your mornings?
1. Wake Up Early—Like Really Early
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Think a 7 a.m. alarm is early enough? Think again. The most famous early risers, like Apple CEO Tim Cook, are up at 3:45 a.m. He dives into emails and reviews sales data in the serene quiet before the day begins. Not far behind, Elon Musk gets up at 7 a.m., achieving a disciplined six hours of nightly rest.
Why does this matter? Quiet mornings are a weapon for productivity—no ringing phones, pinging emails, or packed calendars. A 2010 Journal of Applied Psychology study even found that morning people tend to be more proactive and better prepared to tackle the day.
How to start: Don’t set your alarm for 3 a.m. just yet! Begin by waking just 30 minutes earlier than usual. Use this extra time intentionally—read a book, journal, or create your day’s agenda. Do this consistently, and your internal clock will gradually adapt.
2. Hydrate Before You Caffeinate
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Legendary entrepreneur Jeff Bezos doesn’t start his day with coffee—instead, it’s a glass of water. Likewise, Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post swears by warm water with lemon to rehydrate after hours without fluids.
Why it works: After 6-8 hours of sleep, your body is dehydrated, and dehydration can cloud focus and disrupt energy levels. A 2018 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that even mild dehydration can lower cognitive function by 20%—something no CEO can afford.
How to start: Place a glass of water by your bedside. Before reaching for coffee, down 16 ounces (roughly half a liter). Need flavor? Add fruit slices, lemon, or mint.
3. Exercise for Both Body and Brain
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For Virgin Group’s Richard Branson, tennis and kite surfing dominate his mornings. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg opts for a simple jog. Oprah? She mixes strength training with calming cardio, all to make her mornings feel grounded and energized.
Why it works: Exercise enhances focus and releases feel-good chemicals like endorphins. According to a 2019 British Journal of Sports Medicine study, morning workouts can sharpen your creativity and decision-making skills for hours.
How to start: You don’t need a private gym or hours to spare. Try 20 minutes of yoga, brisk walking, or basic stretches at home. The key is consistency.
4. Meditate or Practice Mindfulness
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Stress and leadership go hand-in-hand, yet some CEOs combat chaos with meditation. Take Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s former CEO, who commits to 30 minutes of daily mindfulness. Salesforce’s Marc Benioff brings meditation into his company culture, incorporating quiet spaces in his corporate HQ.
Why it works: Meditation reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), enhancing your ability to focus and making you more resilient during high-pressure situations. A 2020 Harvard Business Review study emphasized how meditating executives excel in emotional regulation—a critical asset for business leaders.
How to start: Start small—just five minutes a day. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Apps like Calm or Headspace are excellent beginner-friendly tools.
5. Plan the Day—CEO Level Precision
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Successful CEOs rarely leave their day to chance. Microsoft’s Satya Nadella spends his mornings reviewing his day’s goals. PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi was known for using her mornings to balance immediate deadlines with her long-term vision.
Why it works: Structured mornings reduce decision fatigue and clarify focus. Research in the Journal of Organizational Behavior found planning the day improves productivity by 25%.
How to start: Dedicate 10 minutes to outlining your top three tasks for the day. Keep priorities realistic and actionable. For digital lovers, apps like Todoist or Notion are great planning tools.
6. Fuel Your Brain with Intentional Information
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Warren Buffett reads newspapers. Bill Gates devours books. No aimless social media scrolling for these leaders—they curate what they consume.
Why it works: Staying informed sharpens decision-making and fosters deeper strategic thinking. A 2021 study by the American Psychological Association highlighted how targeted daily learning boosts problem-solving abilities.
How to start: Select sources you respect—be it a trusted publication, industry blog, or educational podcast. Start with 15-30 minutes and focus on content that inspires and stimulates.
7. Eat Breakfast That Works for You
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No fast food here. Sundar Pichai of Google starts his day with a balanced mix of oatmeal and eggs for sustained energy. Spanx founder Sara Blakely opts for smoothies rich in greens and proteins.
Why it works: A nutrient-dense breakfast stabilizes blood sugar, preventing energy crashes. Protein and fiber improve memory and focus, according to the Journal of Nutrition.
How to start: Pair healthy fats and proteins with low-GI carbs. Ideas? Greek yogurt with fruit, avocado toast with eggs, or energy-packed overnight oats.
8. Connect with Loved Ones
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Relationships matter, even to powerful CEOs. For Starbucks’ Howard Schultz, a morning coffee with his spouse was sacred. Sheryl Sandberg, known for her fast-paced career, valued family breakfasts before heading to the office.
Why it works: Positive relationships foster emotional stability. A 2018 Emotion journal study showed meaningful interactions reduce daily stress and boost happiness.
How to start: Dedicate 10 minutes to connecting with someone important—a quick breakfast chat, a phone call, or even a thoughtful text count.
9. Tackle Critical Tasks First
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Mornings come with the clearest focus, and that’s when CEOs strike. Billionaire Mark Cuban digs into high-priority emails immediately, while Reed Hastings of Netflix emphasizes uninterrupted “deep work” sessions early in the morning.
Why it works: Tackling vital projects during peak mental energy builds momentum for the rest of the day. Studies from Nature Human Behaviours reveal willpower peaks in the morning.
How to start: Identify one high-impact task. Block out the first 30–60 minutes of your day to focus on it. Avoid social media or email distractions during this “golden hour.”
10. Dress for Confidence—Even at Home
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Whether you see Mark Zuckerberg’s minimalist gray T-shirts or Anna Wintour’s polished style, CEOs appreciate the psychology of what they wear. Dressing intentionally is more than vanity—it sets the tone for productivity.
Why it works: A 2019 Social Psychological and Personality Science study found that dressing purposefully boosts confidence and influences behavior.
How to start: Choose tomorrow’s outfit tonight—it eliminates decision fatigue. Whether casual or formal, ensure it aligns with your goals for the day.
Take Inspired Action Tomorrow
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You don’t need to adopt every habit all at once to live like a CEO. The magic lies in small, consistent changes. Start by setting your alarm a little earlier or adding a single glass of water to your morning. From there, evolve your routine at a sustainable pace.
Ultimately, what makes these morning habits powerful is how they align purpose with action. CEOs don’t just wake up; they rise with intent. And so can you.
Try adding one or two of these practices to your morning tomorrow—you might be surprised how quickly they shift your mindset and productivity.
