What do successful entrepreneurs have in common? Besides a robust work ethic, self-confidence, grit and passion, they also tend to start their days off with a morning routine. 

Let’s face it – mornings can be a hectic affair, with most of us rushing out of bed and straight into the office (or nowadays, home office) for the daily grind. However, successful entrepreneurs understand the importance of creating a morning routine that will get their minds and bodies in the right place before the work day begins.

In fact, having a morning routine isn’t just good for you – it’s good for business, too, as it’s proven to boost creativity and productivity. So, what are the morning rituals of successful entrepreneurs? Here are a few ideas that can help set you up for success:

1. Hydrate

“But first, coffee water.” While it might be tempting to reach for a cuppa joe right after waking up, it’s more important to start your day off with a glass or two of water. Your body is dehydrated after a full night’s sleep, so water will help flush out toxins, jumpstart your metabolism and fuel your brain.

Not a fan of plain H2O? Try adding some lemon, fresh mint or cucumber into your water bottle the night before, or swirl in a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for even more health benefits.

  2. Meditate

Another thing successful entrepreneurs tend to do is meditate, especially at the start of each day. Not only does this clear away the grogginess from the night before, it’s also your chance to create a moment of calm and set intentions for the day.

Whether you’ve got five or 15 minutes, there’s enough time to meditate. Simply find a quiet place to sit and clear your mind – if you need a bit of guidance, apps like Calm, Headspace and Insight Timer will put thousands of live and recorded meditations at your fingertips.

  3. Exercise

Next, it’s time to get moving. Whether it’s mindful exercises like tai chi, stretching and yoga, or more intense workouts like running or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), anything that gets the blood flowing counts. Besides its many physical benefits, exercise also has a huge impact on your brain function.

“When your body moves, your brain grooves,” says world-renowned memory and brain coach Jim Kwik. Calling exercise “fertiliser for the brain,” it’s no wonder that so many successful entrepreneurs start their day with a good sweat.

Did you know? Banyan Workspace is located right next to the Quarry Bay promenade where you can go for a quick walk, any time of day.

  4. Take a cold shower

Now that you’ve worked up a sweat, it’s time for a cold shower. This might be the most difficult part of the morning routine, but it’s definitely worth it. With proponents including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Twitter ex-CEO Jack Dorsey, cold showers are a great way to jolt yourself awake in the morning, boost energy levels and reduce stress, whilst strengthening your willpower and immune system. 

If you’re new to cold showers, start by taking a regular shower and finish off with a 30-second cold blast at the very end. The trick is to end the shower cold, so no cheating! 

  5. Refuel

Successful entrepreneurs also know the importance of a good breakfast and practice self-care by fueling up with healthy and nutritious options. Without proper nutrition, it’s much harder to focus on the tasks at hand, and you may find yourself getting distracted more easily.

Eating a high-fibre breakfast can give you the energy you need for the day ahead, while protein helps fill you up to lessen those afternoon sugar cravings. Some easy ideas? Two poached eggs with avocado on toast, or overnight oats with mixed berries and a spoonful of almond butter.

Looking for a healthy breakfast near Banyan Workspace? We recommend Nood Food, Catch and Grotto.

  6. Learn

While enjoying your breakfast, why not spend a bit of time learning something new? After all, “leaders are readers,” and these days, you can even just put on an audiobook or podcast – both options will give you new ideas and inspire you in ways you might not even realise. 

Reading is also incredibly calming and has been proven to lower heart rates and stress levels, making it the perfect thing to do in the morning – especially for those who can never find the time to read.

Did you know? Banyan Workspace has a library where you can borrow books to read at any time.

  7. Journal

Finally, it’s time for a bit of journaling to get in touch with your thoughts. If you’ve got a planner, plotting in your appointments for the day can be incredibly therapeutic, as is using a journal to write down what you’re currently thinking, feeling and learning (see above!). Take this time to reflect not only on what you need to get done, but what you’ve already accomplished.

Now that you know the importance of having a morning routine, it’s time to make them your own. Don’t be afraid to start with just one or two ideas from the above list to start, and slowly build them up over time. By having a solid morning routine in place, you’ll feel accomplished and productive already before the work day begins – what better way to start off the day?

By Erica Fong