Ever wonder what sets highly successful people apart from the rest of us? It’s not just talent or luck—it’s their habits.
And, as a psychologist, I’ve noticed one thing they all seem to have in common: how they start their mornings.
The way you spend those first few hours of the day can set the tone for everything else.
It’s not about having a perfect routine or waking up at 4 a.m. like some productivity guru—it’s about being intentional.
Successful people know this, and they use their mornings to create momentum, focus, and balance.
Here are ten things they almost always do before the day really begins—practices that anyone can try to level up their own mornings.
1) They prioritize a moment of mindfulness
Most people wake up and immediately dive into the chaos of their day—emails, notifications, to-do lists.
Highly successful people, on the other hand, make time for a moment of mindfulness first thing in the morning.
It’s not about meditating for hours or lighting incense (unless that’s your thing); it’s just about starting the day with intention.
Mindfulness can mean different things—journaling, deep breathing, or even sitting quietly with a cup of coffee. The goal is to center yourself before the whirlwind begins.
As psychologist Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in mindfulness-based stress reduction, famously said: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
Successful people know that when you start your day grounded and present, you’re better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.
Even just five minutes of mindfulness can make a big difference. It’s about training your brain to focus and approach the day with clarity—and that’s a habit anyone can build.
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2) They move their body
For a long time, I didn’t think I was a morning workout person. I’d hit snooze, roll out of bed, and tell myself I’d exercise later. But later rarely came.
Eventually, I decided to give morning movement a try—not an intense workout, just something to get my body going. And let me tell you, it changed everything.
Now, I start most mornings with a quick walk or some light stretching. It’s not just about physical health; it’s about waking up my mind.
There’s a noticeable difference in my focus and energy throughout the day when I move in the morning versus when I don’t.
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Psychologist Dr. Kelly McGonigal, author of “The Joy of Movement“, explains it perfectly: “Movement is not just about physical health—it’s one of the most powerful ways to create positive emotions.”
Successful people know this secret. Whether it’s yoga, a jog, or even dancing around the kitchen while making breakfast, getting your body moving early can set the tone for a productive, feel-good day.
Trust me—if I can turn this into a habit, so can you.
3) They avoid diving straight into their phone
I’ll be honest—this one was tough for me. For years, my mornings started with me grabbing my phone before I even got out of bed.
I’d scroll through emails, check social media, and let the flood of notifications dictate how I felt before I’d even brushed my teeth. And you know what? It was exhausting.
It took me a while to admit it, but starting my day like that was killing my focus and putting me in a reactive mindset. I wasn’t steering my day; my phone was.
Now, I make a conscious effort to avoid screens for at least 30 minutes in the morning. Instead, I use that time to think, plan, or just enjoy the quiet.
Look, I know it’s hard to resist the pull of your phone (I’ve been there), but giving yourself some phone-free space in the morning can make a world of difference in how you approach your day.
Try it—you might be surprised by how freeing it feels.
4) They set clear intentions for the day
I used to start my mornings with a vague idea of what needed to get done. I’d think, “I’ll just tackle whatever comes up.”
But too often, “whatever comes up” turned into a string of distractions, and by the end of the day, I’d feel like I’d been busy without actually being productive.
Highly successful people don’t leave their day to chance. They take a few minutes every morning to set clear intentions—what they want to accomplish, how they want to show up, and what truly matters.
For me, this practice has been a game-changer. Now, after my coffee, I jot down three priorities for the day.
They’re not always big or flashy goals, but they keep me focused on what’s important instead of getting lost in the noise.
It’s a small habit that can have a huge impact. When you start your day with clarity about what you want to achieve, you’re not just reacting to life—you’re leading it.
5) They embrace doing nothing for a little while
This one might sound strange, especially in a world that worships hustle and productivity. But here’s the thing: highly successful people aren’t afraid to slow down.
In fact, some of them intentionally carve out time in the morning to do absolutely nothing—no emails, no planning, no multitasking. Just… stillness.
At first, this felt completely counterintuitive to me. I thought, how could sitting around doing nothing help me get ahead?
But when I tried it—just sitting quietly for a few minutes with no agenda—I realized it gave my brain a chance to breathe.
It’s not laziness; it’s space. And that space often leads to my most creative ideas or unexpected moments of clarity.
Psychologist Dr. Rollo May once said: “In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude.”
That solitude—however brief—is like hitting the reset button for your mind before the demands of the day start piling up.
Yes, doing nothing can be productive in its own way. It’s about creating room for your thoughts to catch up with you instead of jumping straight into the chaos.
Try it—it might just become your favorite part of the morning.
6) They practice gratitude
This one might sound like a cliché, but there’s a reason so many successful people swear by it: gratitude works.
Taking just a few moments in the morning to reflect on what you’re thankful for can completely shift your mindset.
Instead of focusing on stress or what’s going wrong, you start the day grounded in what’s going right.
I’ll admit, I didn’t think this would make much of a difference when I first tried it.
But writing down three things I’m grateful for—whether it’s something big like a career milestone or small like a perfect cup of coffee—has become one of the simplest yet most powerful parts of my routine.
It’s hard to feel stuck or overwhelmed when you’re actively reminding yourself of the good in your life.
Gratitude isn’t just warm and fuzzy—it’s backed by science as a tool to boost happiness and resilience.
Starting your day with gratitude doesn’t take much time, but its impact can last all day long. And the best part? It’s free, easy, and something anyone can do.
7) They tackle something small right away
For years, I used to procrastinate on even the smallest tasks in the morning. I’d think, “I’ll get to it later,” but later often never came.
Then I started noticing a pattern: when I knocked out something small—like making my bed, responding to a quick email, or tidying up my workspace—it gave me a tiny sense of accomplishment that fueled the rest of my day.
Highly successful people understand this domino effect. They know that starting with one small win creates momentum.
It’s not about tackling your biggest goal at 6 a.m.; it’s about proving to yourself that you can get things done, no matter how small they seem.
For me, it might be as simple as organizing my desk—but the mental clarity it gives me is priceless.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just pick one quick thing to check off your list as soon as you start your morning—it’s amazing how much power there is in that first small victory.
8) They reflect on their “why”
I’ll be honest—there have been mornings when I wake up feeling completely unmotivated. The to-do list feels endless, and I wonder, “What’s the point of all this?”
It’s easy to get caught up in the grind and lose sight of why you’re working so hard in the first place.
But here’s what I’ve learned: highly successful people don’t just focus on what they’re doing—they constantly reconnect with why they’re doing it.
Now, when I feel that heaviness creeping in, I take a moment to reflect on my deeper purpose. Maybe it’s about providing for my family, pursuing a passion, or contributing something meaningful to the world.
The why doesn’t have to be monumental—it just has to matter to you.
Dr. Viktor Frankl, renowned psychologist and author of “Man’s Search for Meaning“, wrote: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’”
This idea has stuck with me because it’s so true. When you’re clear about your purpose, even the toughest days feel more manageable.
So if you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions, take a minute each morning to reconnect with your why. It doesn’t make the challenges disappear, but it gives them meaning—and that can make all the difference.
9) They embrace imperfection
Here’s a counterintuitive truth: highly successful people don’t aim for a perfect morning routine.
In fact, they know that sometimes, things will go sideways—maybe the kids refuse to get ready, you oversleep, or your first meeting gets moved up.
Here’s the difference: instead of spiraling into frustration, they roll with it. They understand that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
For a long time, I thought my mornings needed to look like some Instagram-worthy ritual: meditation, journaling, a workout, a green smoothie—all before 8 a.m.
But honestly? That expectation just stressed me out. Now, I’ve learned to let go of the idea that my mornings have to be perfect to be productive.
Some days, my routine is just getting dressed and grabbing coffee on the go—and that’s okay.
Successful people don’t waste energy chasing an unattainable ideal—they focus on what’s realistic and doable in the moment.
If your mornings don’t always go as planned (spoiler: they won’t), give yourself some grace. The ability to adapt and move forward is what truly sets you up for success—not sticking rigidly to some impossible standard.
10) They connect with someone they care about
For a long time, my mornings were all about me—my schedule, my goals, my tasks. But over time, I realized something was missing.
Even on my most productive days, I felt a little… disconnected. That’s when I started making an effort to connect with someone I care about each morning.
It could be as simple as sending a quick text, sharing a laugh with a family member, or even just saying good morning to a neighbor.
What surprised me is how much this small act impacts my mood.
Taking a moment to step outside of my own head and connect with someone else creates this ripple effect of positivity. It reminds me that life isn’t just about ticking off tasks—it’s about relationships.
Highly successful people understand the power of relationships. They know that taking just a moment to connect can add meaning and joy to even the busiest mornings. Try it—it might just become the best part of your day.
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