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Do you imagine the super-rich on their own private islands, soaking up the sun and drinking cocktails?
Sometimes, sure, but day in and day out, most of them have disciplined daily routines.
Here’s a taste of how the tech titans kickstart their mornings, along with takeaways that won’t require a boatload on the couch to try.
Spoiler alert: It’s not all green juice and yoga (but there’s some of that too).
The Amazon founder likes to “putter” in the morning, waking up without an alarm clock, reading the newspaper and having coffee with his wife-to-be.
No phones allowed! Then he has breakfast with his children. Bezos likes “breakfast octopus,” a poached egg and green garlic yogurt.
On Sundays he makes homemade pancakes.
Jeff Bezos, the 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 goes to the gym for 30 minutes of cardio and 45 minutes of weight lifting.
He says his brain is most alert at 10 a.m., so that’s when he has his most important meetings of the day.
This is also the time he uses to make big decisions, instead of making a bunch of small decisions throughout the day.
Tricks to steal:
● Simplify decision-making: Reserve your most productive time for crucial decisions and streamlining choices that don’t matter as much, like what to eat or wear.
● Plan around your brain: when are you most focused? Schedule important meetings and then work, if you can.
Sam Altman: $1.1 billion
He likes a big shot of espresso as soon as he gets up – no breakfast.
OpenAI founder Sam Altman uses his mornings to be productive
But surprisingly, he doesn’t wake up early. While catching up on emails, he uses a full spectrum LED light for 15 minutes to make him more alert.
The OpenAI founder mentions on his blog that if his attention starts to fade during his morning routine, he takes a break or switches tasks.
He also says that mornings are the most productive for him, so he doesn’t meet until the afternoon.
I saw one of his two $27 million McLaren F1s parked outside the Rosewood Hotel in Montecito. It must have been an exception because he had Sunday brunch.
Tricks to steal:
● Use light for alertness: Try a full spectrum LED light in the morning or spend time outside for an energy boost.
● Listen to your energy levels: If your focus wanes, change tasks or take a break to reset.
Evan Spiegel: $3 billion
The Snapchat co-founder and CEO wakes up at 5 a.m. for “Evan time,” which means he has time for himself, checks emails and enjoys a shot of double espresso.
Snapchat co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel gets a great workout in first thing and self-care with a turmeric and peppermint face mask
This is followed by 45 minutes of continuous Kriya meditation, then stretching and cardio.
At 6.15am he showers and puts on an ‘invigorating’ face mask with turmeric and peppermint.
He then sits down to read the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times while having breakfast with his family. His normal spread consists of oatmeal, scrambled eggs and more espresso. Once it’s 7am, it’s time to start his day.
Tricks to steal:
● You first: Early mornings don’t always have to be about productivity. Add a little self-care to your daily routine.
● Incorporate mindfulness: Meditation, stretching, or quiet time can help center your mind.
The Tesla and SpaceX founder wakes up around 7 a.m., which gives him enough sleep to maintain his energy levels.
He quickly checks his phone for updates and any business-related notifications. Like most people, Musk also has a smartphone habit that he says stems from fear.
Elon Musk spends his mornings dealing with work emails and updates. Tesla’s CEO sometimes skips breakfast to go to work early
Unlike the other billionaires, Musk eats a donut for breakfast. But the billionaire sometimes skips the meal altogether.
He has previously said that showering is the most important part of his day, allowing him to wake up well and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Besides checking his phone, sometimes eating and showering, Musk likes to keep his mornings simple because he knows there will be chaos all day long.
Tricks to steal:
● Start the day smart: dive into important emails first so you can strategize before heading to the office.
● Manage your time: Musk divides his time into intervals, which allows him to focus his attention in different places without becoming overwhelmed. If you are juggling tasks, set a certain amount of time for each task to be completed.
The Meta founder starts his day at 8am sharp by checking Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp on his phone, a habit he acknowledges is not ideal.
Mark Zuckerberg starts his day at 8 a.m. and checks his social media notifications before working out
He retires from running to practice jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.
After his training he showers and gets dressed. He likes to wear similar outfits every day so he can focus his mental energy on more important decisions. Then he eats whatever is easiest in his refrigerator.
Tricks to steal:
● Reduce decision making: Simplify your routine so you can focus on what matters most.
● Stay active: Not a morning person? Even a quick workout can energize your morning.
Tim Cook: $2.3 billion
Apple’s CEO wakes up between 3:45 a.m. and 4 a.m. and spends the first hour of his day reading about 700 emails from customers and employees.
At 5 a.m., he goes to the gym for an hour and avoids checking his phone while training.
Apple CEO Tim Cook starts the day by reading hundreds of emails. Then he goes to the gym to work out, but doesn’t look at his phone
But he does listen to music. Classic rock is his choice. After the gym, he takes a shower and eats a breakfast of sugar-free cereal, almond milk, scrambled eggs and turkey bacon.
Tricks to steal:
● Start early: When you’re at your best, use the quiet morning hours before someone else gets to work to complete important tasks.
● Stay active: Regular exercise can improve both your physical and mental health.
Kim Komando (WestStar Multimedia Entertainment)
I’m not a billionaire, but I couldn’t resist.
I wake up at 6am. I say my prayers, check my emails, and take some steps. No coffee for me – I drink my passion fruit brew with green tea, ice cold.
Then I mix the egg whites, a little milk, tomatoes, and super spinach in a loaf pan, top it with low-fat feta cheese, and bake it at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
It’s cooking while I get dressed. Then I head out the door with lunch in hand, heading to the studios.
Tricks to steal:
● Create a morning ritual: Find a few activities to ground your day, such as praying, exercising, or journaling.
● Smarter Preparation: Create meals that don’t require babysitting, so you can get things done while the food is being prepared.
Is there a perfect routine?
Now we know that CEOs love coffee, emails and exercise. Are those 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, some extra caffeine helps too.