The Morning Sets the Tone
How you spend the first hour of your day predicts how productive the rest will be. This isn't motivational speaker nonsense — research shows that morning routines reduce decision fatigue, increase focus, and create a sense of control that carries through the day.
What They Actually Do
Exercise (not optional — almost universal among high performers), some form of reflection or planning, and a deliberate information diet (reading or learning, not scrolling). The specific activities vary, but the pattern is consistent: physical movement, mental preparation, intentional input.
Why This Predicts Success
Morning routines are a proxy for discipline, which is the strongest personality predictor of career success. The person who can consistently override the desire to hit snooze is the same person who can consistently do the difficult work that others avoid.