7 things highly successful people do before 9am

1) Wake up early

The alarm goes off. You have a choice. Hit snooze or get up? Well, successful people choose to get up. Why?

Because the early morning is like a secret time zone. The world is quiet. No calls, no emails, just you.

2) Exercise

After waking up early, the next step successful people often take is to exercise. This isn’t just about physical health or looking good. Exercise has the power to clear your mind and prepare you for the challenges ahead.

Now, I’m not a morning person at all. But I notice the difference when I get moving as soon as I wake up – I have more energy for the rest of the day. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not out running or swimming. Sometimes I just walk around on the porch and stretch. So, whether you prefer a high-intensity workout or something more calming like yoga, the important thing is to move. You’ll not only feel better physically but you’ll also find it easier to focus and tackle your tasks, which means being one step closer to success.

3) Plan the day

After exercise, it’s time to map out your day. Planning ahead is a simple but impactful habit – one that successful people never fail to do.

4) Read

You’ve mapped out your day and you’re pumped. So why not keep the momentum going? Crack open a book, dive into a blog post, or scroll through a news article. What you’ll essentially be doing is warming up your brain (or “getting the creative juices flowing” as my high school English teacher used to say). Successful people do this because they know that each time they read up on a subject, they’re investing in their own knowledge. They’re opening their minds.

5) Meditate

Ever tried meditation or mindfulness? If you’re imagining sitting on a floor chanting “om,” don’t worry, it’s way more versatile than that.See, the hustle and bustle of life often makes our minds a noisy place. But when you meditate or practice mindfulness, you’re essentially hitting the “mute” button. You’re learning to control the volume of your thoughts.So, why do successful people swear by this? It’s simple; it gives them mental clarity, reduces stress, and enhances focus. Meditation doesn’t come easy to everyone though. I realized just how “loud and busy” my mind was when I first tried it. But the key is to start off small – a couple of minutes at the most. Then slowly build it up.

6) Eat a nutritious breakfast

After doing all the above, successful people have worked up an appetite. But rather than head for sugary pancakes or heavy fry-ups, they go opt for healthy food.Think protein, some good fats, and a little fiber.This sets them up for the rest of the day. Now, if you’re anything like me, you probably skip breakfast and go straight to brunch around 1 p.m. Apart from tea or coffee, I hate eating in the morning.But as part of improving my morning routine, I now try to incorporate a healthy smoothie, and to be fair, it does boost my energy levels and concentration. So it’s worth giving it a go and finding what works for you.

7) Review goals

You’ve taken steps to make the most out of your morning, but let’s add the final layer—reviewing your goals.Yes, goals. Those big, audacious things you want to achieve. Or maybe they’re small, incremental changes. Either way, successful people remind themselves regularly about where they’re heading.Don’t spend too much time on this task. Just take a few minutes to look over your short-term and long-term goals. What are you working towards today, this week, or this year?This will give you the motivation and focus you need to start your day, and with such a productive morning behind you, you can also be successful in achieving your goals!