7 things highly successful men do before 8am every day, according to psychology

Over the years, I’ve noticed a fascinating pattern among highly successful men—they tend to start their day with certain habits that set them up for success.

And I’m not talking about grand gestures or complicated routines. Instead, these are simple, practical actions that anyone can incorporate into their morning routine.

After all, how you start your day can significantly impact your productivity, mindset, and overall success. 

In this article, I’ll share with you seven key things that highly successful men do before 8 am every day. These habits are not only proven to work, but they’re also surprisingly easy to adopt.

Let’s dive in.

1. They rise early

It might sound cliche, but one of the key habits of highly successful men is simply getting up early.

For years, I was hitting the snooze button until the last possible moment. But then, I learned that successful people are already up and running while most of us are still dreaming.

Waking up early gives you a head start on the day. You can use this quiet time to focus on your goals, plan your day, or simply enjoy a few moments of peace before the world wakes up.

And here’s the psychological angle: waking up early sets a positive tone for the day. It’s like giving yourself a mental high-five before you even get out of bed.

I know it sounds tough, but trust me, once you get into the habit, you’ll never look back.

Start small: set your alarm 15 minutes earlier than usual and gradually work your way up. You’ll be amazed at how much more productive and successful you feel when you’re up with the sun.

2. They exercise

For a long time, I thought of exercise as something purely for physical health. It wasn’t until I committed to a regular morning workout routine that I truly grasped how transformative it could be for my mental and emotional well-being.

Years ago, I was the type of person who avoided the gym, especially in the morning. The idea of starting my day with a workout felt more like a burden than a benefit. But everything changed when I began to understand the broader impact of exercise on my life.

Research has shown that morning exercise can significantly enhance mental clarity, decision-making, and overall productivity throughout the day.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that even moderate exercise in the morning can improve cognitive function and help maintain focus throughout the day​.

This discovery was a turning point for me. I realized that by choosing to exercise, I wasn’t just working on my body—I was setting up my mind for success.

I started small with exercises I could easily do at home—push-ups, squats, and jumping jacks. Over time, I noticed a profound change. My mood lifted, my energy levels increased, and I felt more prepared to tackle the day’s challenges.

Morning exercise became more than just a physical activity; it became a critical part of my mental game plan. It’s no surprise that many highly successful people make it a cornerstone of their morning routines.

If the gym isn’t your thing, start with something simple—go for a jog around your neighborhood or try a quick workout at home. The key is consistency. You’re not just exercising your body; you’re preparing your mind for a successful day ahead.

3. They prioritize their tasks

I can’t count the number of times I’ve found myself overwhelmed by a long list of tasks, unsure of where to start. It’s easy to get lost in the chaos of to-dos and end up accomplishing nothing.

But then, I learned about the power of prioritizing.

Successful men know that not all tasks are created equal. Some tasks are critical to achieving their goals, while others can wait. By identifying and focusing on the most important tasks first, they maximize their productivity and ensure they’re always moving towards their goals.

Personally, this was a game-changer for me. I started prioritizing my tasks each morning, and almost immediately, I noticed a dramatic shift in my productivity.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed and stressed, I felt focused and in control. I was no longer just busy; I was effective. And most importantly, I was making meaningful progress towards my goals.

Start each morning by identifying the top three things you need to achieve that day and focus on those. It’s a simple strategy, but it can make a world of difference in your productivity and success.

4. They practice mindfulness

Mindfulness might seem like a trendy buzzword, but it’s a habit that many successful men swear by, and for good reason.

Mindfulness is often misunderstood as merely meditation or yoga, but it encompasses much more. It’s about being fully present in the moment, aware of where you are and what you’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you.

Incorporating mindfulness into a morning routine, even with just a few minutes of focused breathing or savoring a quiet moment, can have profound effects. It has been shown to increase calmness, improve focus, and enhance the ability to handle daily stressors. These benefits lead to greater productivity and a more balanced life.

Research supports these observations. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that mindfulness practices can lead to significant improvements in life satisfaction, conscientiousness, and overall well-being. 

These small moments of mindfulness in the morning can set a positive tone for the rest of the day, helping individuals navigate challenges with a clear mind and a calm demeanor.

5. They set clear goals

The saying, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time,” holds a powerful truth.

Without clear goals, it’s easy to drift aimlessly through life, lacking direction and purpose. In contrast, successful men are intentional about their goals, setting clear, achievable targets that guide their daily actions.

Setting goals each morning provides a sense of purpose and direction. By identifying a top goal for the day and breaking it down into manageable steps, the path forward becomes clearer and more attainable.

This approach transforms daily tasks into purposeful actions, driving progress toward larger objectives.

Incorporating goal-setting into a morning routine doesn’t have to be complex. It can be as simple as determining what you want to achieve by the end of the day and outlining a plan to reach it.

The key to success is consistency—making goal-setting a daily habit ensures steady progress and a clear focus on what truly matters.

6. They cultivate a positive mindset

This may sound like self-help jargon, but the power of a positive mindset is real and scientifically proven.

I used to be a pessimist, always expecting the worst and getting easily frustrated by setbacks. But then, I read this quote from the renowned psychologist Viktor Frankl: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

This quote was a revelation. I realized that while I couldn’t always control what happened to me, I could control how I responded.

So, I started cultivating a more positive mindset. Each morning, instead of dreading the day ahead, I’d remind myself of my abilities and achievements. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, I focused on what could go right.

And it made a world of difference. My stress levels dropped, my productivity soared and I felt more confident and content.

Cultivating a positive mindset isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges; it’s about choosing to see them as opportunities for growth. If you can master this habit, you’ll be well on your way to joining the ranks of highly successful men.

7. They disconnect

In today’s hyper-connected world, it might seem counterintuitive that many successful men choose to disconnect, but it’s a habit that has proven to be incredibly beneficial.

Constantly checking emails, social media feeds, and news updates might feel like staying productive, but it often has the opposite effect. The never-ending stream of information can lead to distraction, stress, and a fragmented focus, making it harder to start the day with clarity.

To counter this, successful individuals often make a conscious effort to disconnect from technology, especially in the first hour after waking up. By avoiding emails, social media, and news in the morning, they create a space for peace, focus, and self-reflection. This period of disconnection allows them to gather their thoughts, plan their day, and set a positive tone without being immediately overwhelmed by external demands.

A practical approach to this habit is to keep your phone on airplane mode for the first hour after waking up. Use this time to focus on yourself—whether it’s enjoying a quiet moment with your morning coffee, meditating, or simply thinking about the day ahead.

Conclusion

Becoming a highly successful man doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about consistently practicing habits that set you up for success, day after day.

Remember, the key is to start small. Choose one habit from this list and commit to practicing it for the next 30 days. Once it becomes a part of your routine, add another. By steadily building these habits, you’re laying the foundation for a life of success and fulfillment.

As the famous psychologist William James said, “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” Adjust your attitude, embrace these habits, and watch as your life begins to transform.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into the practices that can elevate your life, I invite you to explore my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.

In it, I share insights from ancient wisdom that can help you live with intention, reduce ego-driven distractions, and maximize your impact in the world. With the right guidance, you have the power to become the successful man you aspire to be. Now go and make it happen!