We all hear about the accomplishments of executives and picture a rigorous, caffeinated, and meeting-filled day beginning the moment they rise until the second their heads hit the pillow. In a study performed by Vanderkam, 90% of executives claim to be awake before 6am on weekdays to get a head start on their day. However, individuals negotiating million-dollar deals and leading hundreds of employees don’t sprint to the office the moment the alarm buzzes. In fact, you might be surprised at the calm, laid-back pre-dawn approach leading successful people into high-yielding work days.

 

They Say No to Coffee

 At least until they have hydrated their bodies for the day ahead. During the night, your body loses nearly 1 liter of water. Because of this loss, we wake up dehydrated, which is only worsened by the immediate reach for a cup of coffee. Taking the time to drink 16-32oz of room temperature water puts you well on your way to rehydration, alertness, and a faster metabolism. Feel free to reach for your morning java…after a few swigs from the water glass.

 

They Are Selfish

 We’ve all heard the age old saying: you can’t pour from an empty glass. When a successful person begins their day in the wee hours before dawn, they focus on what they need to fill their cup. They set their sights on personal growth, self-reflection, meditation, faith-based study, or simply take a few moments to breathe. Begin a gratitude journal, or perhaps invest in a personal development book or two. By setting your daily mindset on bettering yourself, you are then prepared to pour into others and establish a day of accomplishment, focus, and productivity among employees.

 

They Set Their Intentions

 Try as we might, it is near impossible for humans to accomplish the entirety of the mile-long to-do list we set for ourselves. TimeManagement.com CEO Rob Rawson sets his top priorities first thing in the morning before the hubbub of email churn and meeting requests fills his time. Take 5 minutes to write down the 3 things that, regardless of anything else, must get accomplished today.

 

They Move

 Though a quick jog or a few sets of squats may not sound like the most mellow way to begin the day, research shows that a dedicated exercise routine before heading to work can improve mental clarity for 4 to 10 hours post-workout. Former CEO and chairman of PepsiCo, Steve Reinemund claims he has been running 4 miles at 5:00am for decades. This week incorporate 20 minutes of exercise into your morning and take note of how you feel by the end of the week. You know how the saying goes, “the only bad workout is the one you didn’t do”.

 

They Get Educated

In order to change the world, we must know what is going on in the world. Billionaire investor Warren Buffet has been known to begin his day reading the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, the New York Times, USA Today, the Omaha World-Herald, and the American Banker. Understanding the world around you not only provides a stronger educational foundation, but also gives insight into your industry, the economy, and global happenings.

 

They Stay Silent

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, surrounding noises can affect health by increasing stress levels, high blood pressure, risk of coronary disease, peptic ulcers and migraine headaches. Our mornings are often the only time of the day we aren’t surrounded by ringing phones, noisy conversations, loud television shows, and blaring music. In the morning hour, take the time to remain in complete silence as long as possible, leaving the hustle and bustle to the office.

 

Even adding a few of these habits will get your day moving in the right direction!

 

 

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About Debi

Debi is a coach to high performers, leaders and business owners wanting to achieve more and grow beyond what they believe is possible. Known for her clarifying insight and a pragmatic approach, Debi brings her clients to the next step by asking the right questions during strategy development and supporting them during strategy implementation. With experience in management, recruitment and employee development for various industries, she has a wide scope of expertise and will confidently guide you towards a successful future in your career.

 

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