4 things successful people do in the morning

MANILA, Philippines – A good start can lead to a great day.

A Wharton study says that the mood you start your day with has a strong effect on how productive you will be and how you will interact with other people.

The right morning routine can set the tone for the rest of your day. Small fixes can help you be more energized and happy to do big things.

Be inspired by the morning habits of successful people below:

They’re early birds

 

To make the most of the 24 hours they get every day, successful people tend to start their day long before everyone else.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey wakes up at 5:30 every morning. Apple CEO Tim Cook doesn’t hit the snooze button after 4:30 am. Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz is usually in his office by 6:00 am. 

Is this just coincidence? A study by biologist Christopher Randler found that those who identify as morning people tend to be more proactive in their pursuits and are better positioned for career success. 

If you want to feel more energetic in the morning, Randler suggests going to bed earlier. It’s also important to keep your sleep-wake schedule as consistent as possible, even on weekends. Eventually, your body clock will adjust naturally. 

They make their bed

In his commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin, US Navy Admiral William McRaven told the graduating class that if they wanted to go off and change the world, they should start by making their bed every day.

“If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day,” McRaven said in his speech. “It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.”

For McRaven, the simple act of making your bed reinforces the idea that the little things matter: “If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.”

They always warm up

It’s important to warm up before an exercise routine. This loosens up your muscles and gets you energized for the workout ahead.

Starting your day off with light exercise is a great way to energize your body and your mind.

Before US President Barack Obama heads to the Oval Office, he lifts weights and does a bit of cardio before breakfast. He sees it as a requirement of his job, saying, “You have to exercise, or at some point you’ll just break down.”

Research indicates that exercising in the morning can reap numerous benefits: it boosts your metabolism, increases your energy levels, jumpstarts your brain, and frees up the rest of your day for more important tasks.

You don’t need to run a marathon every morning. A short walk around the block or some quick stretching can already wake your body up for the day ahead. 

They always have a healthy breakfast

No matter how busy they are, many successful people never skip breakfast.

Virgin Group’s founder Richard Branson usually starts his day with fruit salad and muesli, sometimes mixing it up with an English breakfast. Award-winning musician Justin Timberlake actually eats two breakfasts – waffles and eggs first thing in the morning, then a protein shake and another egg after working out.

A healthy breakfast can help you stay fit and active throughout the day. It can also boost your brain power by improving memory, attention span, and other mental functions. 

Ideally, a complete healthy breakfast will contain some form of protein, whole grains, and calcium. For those who are always rushing to get out of the door in the morning and don’t have time to prepare a full meal, there are ready-made breakfast drinks like Quaker Good Start that you can carry with you on your way to work.

A busy schedule is no excuse to skip out on a healthy morning routine. – Rappler.com