Can you imagine the super rich on their own private islands, sunbathing and sipping cocktails?
Sometimes, sure, but day in and day out, most of them have disciplined daily routines.
Here’s a sneak peek at how tech titans start their mornings, along with takeaways you don’t need to have a ton of money in the bank to try.
Spoiler alert: It’s not all green juice and yoga (but there’s some of that, too).
The founder of Amazon likes to laze around in the mornings, wake up without an alarm clock, read the newspaper and have coffee with his future wife.
No phones allowed! Then, he has breakfast with his children. Bezos likes “breakfast octopus,” a poached egg and garlic yoghurt.
On Sundays she makes homemade pancakes.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, starts his day with a morning walk. He doesn’t look at his phone during the 30-minute walk.
Then he reads the newspaper and heads to the gym to do 30 minutes of cardio and 45 minutes of weight lifting.
He finds that his brain is most alert at 10 a.m., which is when he holds his most important meetings of the day.
This is also the time you use to make big decisions, rather than making a bunch of small decisions frequently throughout the day.
Tricks to steal:
● Simplify decision making: Reserve your most productive time for critical decisions and to simplify choices that don’t matter much, like what to eat or wear.
● Plan around your brain: When are you most focused? Plan important meetings and work then, if you can.
Sam Altman: $1.1 billion
He likes a big shot of espresso as soon as he wakes up, without having breakfast.
OpenAI founder Sam Altman uses his mornings to be productive
However, surprisingly he doesn’t wake up early. While you catch up on emails, use a full-spectrum LED light for 15 minutes to stay more alert.
The founder of OpenAI mentions on his weblog that if at any point during his morning routine his attention starts to wane, he takes a break or changes tasks.
He also says that mornings are the most productive for him, so he doesn’t hold meetings until the afternoon.
I saw one of his two $27 million McLaren F1s parked outside the Rosewood Lodge in Montecito. It must have been an exception, since I was having lunch on Sunday.
Tricks to steal:
● Use light to stay alert: Try a full-spectrum LED light in the morning or spend time outdoors to boost your energy.
● Listen to your energy levels – if your concentration wanes, switch tasks or take a break to reset.
Evan Spiegel: 3 billion dollars
The Snapchat co-founder and CEO wakes up at 5 a.m. for ‘Evan time,’ which includes alone time, checking emails, and enjoying a shot of double espresso.
Snapchat co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel gets in a big workout first thing and pampers himself with a turmeric-mint face mask
This is followed by 45 minutes of uninterrupted Kriya meditation, then stretching and cardio exercises.
At 6:15 a.m., she showers and puts on an “invigorating” turmeric and mint face mask.
Then he sits down to read the Wall Avenue Journal and the Monetary Instances while eating breakfast with his family. Their usual dish is oatmeal, scrambled eggs and more espresso. Once 7am rolls around, it’s time to start the day.
Tricks to steal:
● You first: Early in the morning isn’t always about productivity. Incorporate some self-care into your daily routine.
● Incorporate mindfulness: Meditation, stretching, or quiet time can help focus the mind.
The founder of Tesla and SpaceX wakes up around 7 a.m., allowing him enough sleep to keep his energy levels up.
You quickly check your phone for business-related updates and notifications. Like most people, Musk also has a habit of using smartphones which he believes is due to anxiety.
Elon Musk spends his mornings answering emails and work updates. Tesla CEO sometimes skips breakfast to get to work earlier
Unlike other billionaires, Musk eats a donut for breakfast. But the billionaire sometimes skips food altogether.
You previously mentioned that showering is the most important part of your day, allowing you to wake up properly and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Aside from checking his phone, sometimes eating, and showering, Musk likes to keep his mornings simple because he knows there will be chaos throughout the day.
Tricks to steal:
● Start your day smart: Read important emails first thing in the morning, allowing you to strategize before heading to the office.
● Manage your time: Musk divides his time into intervals, allowing him to focus on different places without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re juggling tasks, set a certain amount of time to complete each one.
The founder of Meta starts his day at 8 am sharp by checking Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp on his phone, a habit he admits is not preferred.
Mark Zuckerberg starts his day at 8 a.m., checking his social media notifications before heading out for a workout.
He has stopped running to practice jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.
After working out, he showers and gets dressed. She likes to wear similar outfits on a daily basis so she can focus her mental energy on more important decisions. Then, you eat whatever is easiest in your refrigerator.
Tricks to steal:
● Limit decision making: Simplify your routine to focus on what is most important.
● Stay active: Not a morning person? Even a quick workout can energize your morning.
Tim Prepare dinner: $2.3 billion
The Apple CEO wakes up between 3:45 and 4:00 am and reads around 700 emails from customers and employees during the first hour of his day.
At 5 in the morning, he goes to the gym for an hour and avoids checking his phone during training.
Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner starts his day reading hundreds of emails. He then heads to the gym to work out, but avoids looking at his phone.
Although he listens to music. Classic rock is your choice. After the gym, he showers and eats unsweetened cereal, almond milk, scrambled egg whites, and turkey bacon for breakfast.
Tricks to steal:
● Start early: If you’re at your best first thing, take advantage of those quiet morning hours before anyone else is ready to tackle important tasks.
● Stay active: Regular exercise can improve your physical and mental health.
Kim Commander (WestStar Multimedia Entertainment)
I’m not a billionaire, but I couldn’t resist.
I get up at 6am, say my prayers, check my emails, and follow some steps. No coffee for me: I drink my passion fruit concoction with iced green tea.
Next, I mix egg whites, a little milk, tomatoes, and super spinach in a loaf pan, top it with low-fat feta cheese, and bake it for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.
It cooks while I get dressed. Then, I walk out the door with lunch in hand and head to the studios.
Tricks to steal:
● Create a morning ritual: Find some activities to help you focus your day, such as prayer, exercise, or journaling.
● Put together smarter: Put together meals that you don’t have to take care of so you can get things done while cooking.
Is there a perfect routine?
Well, now we know that CEOs love coffee, emails, and exercising. Are these the secrets of success? Probably not, but there’s definitely a theme.
It’s about being intentional and setting the tone for the day. For most people, a little extra caffeine helps too.
