14+ Successful People’s Daily Routines You Can Learn From

It's far too easy to overrate a given moment while undervaluing the importance of tiny changes every day.

We often believe that a massive achievement is created by a massive action. Whether it's passing an exam, publishing a book, or losing weight, we usually think we need to do something big, like pull off a "miracle" or become legendary.

We've dismissed the value of small changes. Perhaps because they don't seem to create rapid, obvious changes.

The truth is, that small changes lead to long-lasting changes. Building habits, not quick fixes, is the key to long-term change. Small changes are more likely to become built into our routines, leading to long-term, sustainable results.

Ever wonder why some people get so much done? Their secret isn't in doing big, explosive things. Often, the answer is in the little things they do every day.

In this blog post, let's explore 14+ successful people's daily routines to answer the question: What small things can lead to success?

What Is a Daily Routine and Why It Matter

Routines are the same habits or actions you do every day, usually at the same times. They give you structure and help you stay on track, feel energized, and move through your day with purpose and efficiency.

Routines are crucial because they:

1. Save you time and energy
2. Help you form good habits
3. Lower your stress
4. Make it easier to reach your goals

When you stick to a routine, you give yourself a head start each day, and over time, those little wins add up to big wins.

However, the best routine is one that fits your life. It should help you, not stress you out. So, as we look at successful people's daily routines below, think about which parts might be suitable for you.

14+ Successful People’s Daily Routines You Can Learn From

1. Get up early

A lot of great people get up with the sun or even before it. The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, often starts his day at 4:30 AM. You're going ahead while everyone else is still asleep, like getting an early start in a race. It's not just Cook, though. Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, gets up at 4:30 AM to spend some time alone. Tweet co-founder Jack Dorsey meditates every morning at 5 a.m.

Before the day's demands start, these early hours are a peaceful time to work or spend time alone. By getting up early, you give yourself extra time to work and relax, which sets a good mood for the whole day.

2. Move your body

Working out is good for your brain as well as your body. Barack Obama, who was President of the United States, worked out in the mornings, switching between cardio and power training. Richard Branson, the head of Virgin Group, plays tennis or kitesurfs in the morning. Three times a week, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta works out or goes for a run.

Working out gives you more energy, makes you happier, and helps your brain work better. You'll feel better all day, like when you tune up your car before a long trip. Regular exercise not only makes you healthier physically, but it also makes you smarter mentally, lowers your stress, and makes you happier generally.

3. Eat a good breakfast

For your body, a good breakfast is like high-end gas. Elon Musk, who created Tesla and SpaceX, eats a protein-rich breakfast every day. It keeps his engine going well on days that are long and hard. Oprah Winfrey likes a healthy breakfast, which usually includes boiled eggs and toast with different grains. While Bill Gates often skips breakfast, he never skips his Diet Coke.

The important thing is to find what fits your plan and body. A healthy breakfast helps keep blood sugar levels steady, boosts focus, and gives you the energy to handle the day's tasks.

4. Plan your day

Bill Gates is known for having very thorough plans. When you plan your day, you always know where you're going, just like with a GPS. The Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran plans her week every Sunday night. She organizes her calendar and to-do lists by color to get the most done. Because she does this every week, she always has a clear plan for the week ahead.

Planning ahead can help you feel less stressed, more productive, and more in charge of your life, which can lead to more success and happiness.

5. Take time to recharge

Machines need time to rest too. Known as the "Oracle of Omaha," Warren Buffett reads and thinks during his breaks. It's like giving your phone a break—when you come back, you're ready to do more. Jeff Weiner, who used to be CEO of LinkedIn, plans to "do nothing" for 30 to 90 minutes at a time. He can think about what's going on around him and plan ahead this way.

These breaks aren't just time to do nothing; they're necessary for coming up with new ideas and fixing problems. Taking regular breaks keeps you from getting burned out, makes you more creative, and helps you make better decisions, all of which lead to more productivity and job happiness.

6. Cut down on distractions

Focus is gold in a world where everything is always linked. Mark Zuckerberg has ways to keep people from bothering him. Like closing browser tabs you don't need, it clears your thoughts and makes it work faster. According to Cal Newport, author of "Deep Work," long times of uninterrupted focus are good for you. He says to turn off messages and make sure there are no other things going on around you. For example, you could use apps that block social media or find a quiet place to work.

By minimizing distractions, you can achieve deeper focus, produce higher quality work, and experience a greater sense of achievement in less time.

7. Set reachable goals

For making goals, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, uses the SMART framework. You make steady progress, one step at a time, like making a staircase instead of trying to jump to the top floor. Serena Williams, the tennis champion, makes plans for both the short and long run. She focuses on making small changes every day that help her reach her bigger goals.

This method helps her stay motivated and keep track of her growth. Setting goals that you can reach gives you direction, keeps you working hard, and shows you how far you've come. This can boost your confidence and help you succeed in your personal and professional life.

8. Track your progress

Richard Branson keeps a notebook to keep track of his progress. As if you were keeping score in a game, you know exactly where you stand and what you need to work on. This goes one step further for Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio. A method he describes as "systemized and computerized reflection" helps him keep track of our choices and how they turned out. This helps him learn from both the good and bad things that happen. You can celebrate wins, learn from losses, and make choices based on data when you keep track of your progress. This encourages continuous improvement and personal growth.

9. Celebrate small wins

Oprah Winfrey thinks that she should treat herself for working hard. It keeps you inspired to keep going - like giving yourself a gold star. Arianna Huffington remembers to be thankful for small victories. She writes down every day what she's grateful for in a book.

Focusing on the good things in life through this exercise makes you more motivated and happy. Celebrating wins, even if they are small, encourages good behavior, boosts self-esteem, and gives people the drive to take on bigger tasks.

10. Clear your mind

All the time, Ray Dalio meditates. It's like cleaning up your mind; you can think more clearly and artistically afterward. Jack Dorsey centers his mind every day for two hours. He says it helps him deal with worry and concentrate better. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, has meditation rooms all over the building where his company works to encourage workers to take breaks to be more aware. Regular mindfulness or meditation practice lowers stress, makes it easier to control your emotions, and improves your general mental health. This can help you make better decisions and be happier with your life.

11. Give your brain food

As a rule, Bill Gates reads and finishes a book every week. The more you learn, the stronger your mind gets, just like when you work out. Mark Cuban reads every day for three hours. A lot of the time that Warren Buffett spends each day is reading and thinking. They think that reading is an important way to gain information and new points of view. Reading and other forms of ongoing learning keep your mind sharp, broaden your view, and give you new ideas and skills, which is good for both personal and professional growth.

12. Build strong connections

People who are successful make time to connect with others. Taking care of relationships regularly is like watering plants: they get stronger over time. Jeff Weiner on LinkedIn sets aside time to build relationships. He thinks that making and keeping good connections is important for both personal and business growth. In the same way, John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products, makes it a point to meet and talk to all of his workers. Taking care of your relationships not only makes your personal life better, but it also leads to new chances, helps you through hard times, and improves your overall health and happiness.

13. Get enough sleep

Arianna Huffington talks a lot about how important sleep is. She tries to get 8 hours of sleep every night and has a strict routine before bed. You can think of sleep as a reset button for your body and mind. When you wake up, you're ready to take on the day. Jeff Bezos also puts sleep first and tries to get 8 hours of sleep every night. He thinks it makes people more productive and helps them make decisions. Musk, on the other hand, has said that he works up to 120 hours a week, but he knows that it's bad for him and is trying to find a more manageable routine.

Setting aside time to rest can help your brain work better, your emotions stay in check, and your body feel better. This can lead to more output, better decisions, and an overall better quality of life.

14. Help others

A lot of successful people give back to the places where they live. It's kind of like paying it forward - you make good things happen that affect many people beyond yourself. Bill and Melinda Gates have given billions of dollars to health and education projects around the world. Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have promised to give away 99% of their Facebook shares to good causes over the course of their lives.

Giving back not only helps others, but it also gives you a feeling of purpose and fulfillment, makes you feel better mentally, and can even help you meet new people and learn new skills.

These examples of successful people's daily routines show that while the details may be different, some things stay the same: putting health first, learning new things all the time, working hard, and giving back.

How to Create Your Own Daily Routine Successfully

Now that we've explored successful people's daily routines, how can you create your own?

Start Small

Changes should not be made to your life all at once. You have to learn how to walk before you can run. Start with just a few new habits and add to them as you go.

Stick to it

Successful people make sure that their daily habits are always the same. It's like giving a plant water: regular care makes it grow.

Find Your Fit

You might not be able to use something that works for someone else. Like getting the right shoes: fit and comfort are more important than name or style.

Stay Flexible

Do not be scared to change your habit. The way you do things should change as your life does. Like adding new apps to your phone, sometimes you need them to keep things running smoothly.

Keep track of your progress

Keep an eye on your habits with a habit tracker like Habitify, helping you stay focused and on track.

Tracking your habits can make sure that your daily patterns work for you, because:

1. It provides a visual of progress that lets you see how far you've come.
2. It helps you find patterns and areas where you can do better.
3. It makes you more motivated by showing you how far you've come.
4. It keeps you on track with your goals.

However, I must tell you that tracking isn't about being perfect. It's about understanding yourself better and making steady progress. Even on days when you miss your target, it’s okay. Don’t feel discouraged. It’s totally alright as you're learning something valuable about your habits and routines.

Key Takeaways

We've just gone through some successful people's daily routines. So, what will your daily schedule look like? Are you going to rise with the sun like Tim Cook? Will you put learning first like Bill Gates does? Or are you going to make something new?

Don't just copy someone else's life. Instead, do what makes you happy and stick with it.

Start small. Really small. Laughably small.

Want to read more? Start with just one page a day. Thoughts on those early morning workouts? When you wake up, start with one push-up.

It's not about being perfect. It's about being consistent.

Let me wrap up this post with a famous quote from Hal Elrod: "Let today be the day you give up who you've been for who you can become."

With these tiny changes, I'm sure you'll be amazed one day to see how much you've changed in ways you never thought possible.

‍