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Jim Citrin Leadership by Example

Jim Citrin, Leadership by Example

Tapping the Power of Your Morning Routine

by Jim Citrin

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Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, 12:00AM

How disciplined are you about your early-morning routine?

If you want to maximize your success while achieving the best possible balance in your life, you may want to take a fresh look at what time you wake up and what you do with your time before getting to the office.

A Wakeup Call

Last week, I contacted some of the business leaders I greatly admire and inquired about their early-morning schedules.

Specifically, I asked 20 CEOs and top executives what time they wake up, when they have their first cup of coffee, when they start on email, what if anything they do for exercise, what time they leave for the office, and what else they do before walking out the door.

I heard back from half a dozen of them within 10 minutes, and, in a matter of a few hours, I received answers from a total of 17 out of the 20 -- a response rate that would be the envy of any market researcher.

It didn't take long for the patterns to emerge. Based on an analysis of the executives' schedules and activities, I discovered seven practices you should seriously consider adopting in order to make the most of your morning.

  1. Start early.

    This is the part of your morning routine over which you have the greatest control. To fit it all in, it's a must to start early. The latest any of the surveyed executives wake up is 6 a.m., and almost 80 percent wake up at 5:30 or earlier.

    The early-bird-gets-the-worm award goes to Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer for Motorola, who rises at 4:30 a.m., spends an hour on email, reads most of the news online, and then does an hour of either cardio or resistance training each morning. This allows her to get her son ready for school and drop him off, and still get to work by 8 or 8:30 in the morning.

  2. Get a jump on email.

    If you think you're alone in feeling overwhelmed by email, take comfort: even top CEOs and the most senior executives feel compelled to stay on top of their email, and most of them find time in the early morning to do so.

    Ursula Burns, the No. 2 executive at technology giant Xerox, says, "I do email from the minute I get up [5:15 a.m.] and all day long, finishing around midnight." Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of investment firm Saban Capital Group, starts email right after his first cup of coffee "at 6:02 a.m." and works on it for about an hour before his 75-minute morning exercise regimen.

    Lou D'Ambrosio, chief executive officer at telecommunications equipment leader Avaya Communications, is "on email literally within one minute after waking up. I spend about an hour at home in the morning doing email to jump-start the day. This allows me to have a clear mind when I set priorities for the day." Lou also does email from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at night.

    Several executives wait until they get to the office before they start working on email. Matt Ouimet, president of the hotel group for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, for example, rises at 5:30 a.m. and leaves the house at 6 a.m. to get to the office very early -- "I've always been anxious to get to work: game time" -- and responds to email undisturbed for an hour while the office is very quiet.

  3. Exercise every morning.

    It's often difficult to find a way to fit exercise into your busy schedule, but knowing that some of the most successful businesspeople do so might motivate you to find a way to work it into your routine.

    More than 70 percent of the business leaders in my survey perform their exercise in the morning, while 15 percent find a way to do it during the day (one does it late at night before turning in). Only two of the executives admit to not exercising on a regular basis, although one said, "I know I should."

    The individual who demonstrates the greatest exercise discipline is the CEO of a high-performing global technology company (I promised him anonymity so as not to blow his cover). "I exercise at lunchtime," he says. "I block the time every single day. This is because I'm a runner and that's the best time to run outside all year long."

  4. Be thoughtful about the source, form, and timing of your news.

    Much has been written about the demise of the newspaper, and, along those lines, about a quarter of the executives I spoke with has switched to online news. Yet most of the others maintain the morning newspaper as a central part of their routine.

    Steve Reinemund, the CEO of PepsiCo, reads the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and the Dallas Morning News. Rafe Sagalyn, CEO of the prestigious Sagalyn Literary Agency of Bethesda, Md., blends traditional and new media. He says, "I simultaneously skim online newspapers from Boston to Los Angeles and half a dozen blogs one really has to keep up with. At about 6:30 a.m., I fetch three morning papers -- the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal."

  5. Problem-solve.

    The quiet of the morning is often the time when your mind is at its clearest and most well-suited to solving important problems.

    Steve Murphy, CEO of publishing company Rodale, says, "A line in a William Blake poem inspired me to think differently about my day: ‘Think in the morning, act in the noon, read in the evening, and sleep at night.' This has made a huge difference in my life. Now, I take out a yellow pad every morning and write my thoughts for the day, which allows me to be much more strategic and proactive than reactive."

  6. Make family time.

    Many business leaders find that the morning encourages important family time. Some have breakfast with their families or make taking kids to school a central part of the morning routine.

    Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media Corporation, says, "I try to talk one of my kids into going outside to get the paper, but end up getting it myself. I then have breakfast with my wife and kids, help the latter get dressed, and drive the older boys to the bus stop at 7:40 a.m."

  7. Be creative with your morning routine.

    Despite all the discipline and structure described in the above best practices, it doesn't mean you can't be creative with your morning rituals. Gerry Laybourne, founder, chairman, and CEO of Oxygen Media, maintains a routine similar to other business leaders.

    However, she adds a unique twist to her schedule: "Once or twice a week, I go for a walk in Central Park with a young person seeking my advice. This is my way of helping bring along the next generation. I can't take time at the office to do this, but doing it in the morning allows me to get exercise and stay connected with young people at the same time."

The examples cited here have led me to reassess how I structure my early-morning time, and I hope they help you in making the most of your daily routine as well.

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305 Comments

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  • Yahoo! Finance User - Monday, February 19, 2007, 9:39PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Kudos to Jim again for yet another excellent article. One would find innumberable benefits (both bodily and spiritual) of waking up before sunset mentioned in the ancient Indian literature. I personally have benefited by waking up early in the morning.

  • Jay - Thursday, February 15, 2007, 6:16AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    All spiritual masters in the world would agree, that these 7 tips, are absolutely delicious and healthy. True practical wisdom, I would like to say.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 5:07PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    I agree with the Tao of Pooh guy....no offense to Mr. Citrin, but no job or any amount of money is worth behaving like a robot... "While Eeyore frets ... ... and Piglet hesitates ... and Rabbit calculates ... and Owl pontificates ...Pooh just is.

  • Chattacat - Friday, February 9, 2007, 10:23AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Concise, I like that. Good information and right to the point without a lot of banter - thank you.

  • na2rboy - Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 2:56PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    You and the "CEOs and top executives" you interviewed should read the Tao of Pooh.

  • Barry - Monday, February 5, 2007, 11:58AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Great article. Thank you. As a CFO I changed my morning routine 3 years ago. The big change was waking at 5:15am instead of 6:30. That time is spent walking the mountain in the dark. My thoughts are organized and I'm prepared for what ever the days throws at me. Not to mention that I even sleep better.

  • Ish - Sunday, February 4, 2007, 11:21PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    You should not be wrong by following succesful leaders. I plan to change my habits to do exercise in the early mornings.

  • Reddy - Sunday, February 4, 2007, 5:35AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Agree with Jim Citrin. Getting up early is best piece of advice I follow myself. I typically get up at 5 AM which allows me do a quick email scan and think about my day. Once I am in the office by 7:30, there are bound to be interruptions and less time for thinking calmly. - R Mallidi

  • Gustavo G - Friday, February 2, 2007, 4:54PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Tips from Top CEO in companies help you get better in what you do, not to copy them but todo your own and be the best you can be

  • sharon - Friday, February 2, 2007, 4:09PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Great article! I'm not a CEO or even close to management level. I'm pretty low on the food chain. I have been getting up at 4:30am for years, actually to spend time with my husband, walk our dog, and watch the news, in addition to getting ready for work. I have an excercise bike in the corner of our livingroom that I try to ride in the evening, but I'm going to start riding it in the morning! Thanks for motivating me! The morning is the best part of the day.

  • jerry - Friday, February 2, 2007, 1:03PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    An excellent guide for success for the business professional. Rick Pattino a championship winning basket-ball coach wrote in his book , that the morning is the most important part of your day and that the hardest and most difficult task you need to accomplish should be tackled first thing after you wake up. This accompishes two things it does'nt allow you the time to think up a reason to not do the task and you attack the task with the most energy and clearity of mind that you will have all day. Another thing i did not see mentioned was meditation or prayer (spirititual conteplation) this will prepare your attitude for the whole day. When you have a bigger picture in mind then just that days events you are better able to put things in perspective and react in a more level headed and insightful manner instead of being a fireman and over compensating from a purely reactionary mind set. Reguardless this guide lines are sound although i think e-mail should come a little later in the day but if this is your most daunting task go for it!!!

  • James - Friday, February 2, 2007, 11:52AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    I have to say to those who down the practices of the top paid executives of Fortune 100 companies, your distain for their practices only stems from the jealousy of their success. There are some business owners in there if you would have read closer. This is an amazing story giving us readers the inside look into people we normally wouldn't have access to. Thank you Jim for this well written article and I see even though people trash some of the content, they still lean towards making changes in the morning. You article hit home to even those who don't like it, which means you accomplished the ultimate editorial goal! Keep up the great articles and we will continue to read. Sincerely, James W. V.P. The Air to Water Company

  • Monique - Friday, February 2, 2007, 11:47AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    I was totally motivated and I just wanted to say thank you for writing the article.

  • MichaelS - Friday, February 2, 2007, 10:30AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    I have to agree with Jen. The researcher doesn't mention what time the CEOs leave the office? How far they live from work? Or what time they go to bed? Are there kids at home or are the kids a boarding school or college? I know a co-worker who gets up at 5am to go to work, puts in an whole day, and goes to bed at 8pm. What's the point of that? I get the same amount of work done and more getting up later. Also I find that as a middle level executive I have to work around my boss' schedule not my own. Although, I do know of people who can survive with very little sleep. This is purely genetic and cant be easily replicated. So, the author might have just sampled CEOs who need very little sleep to survive. In this case, their success and lives cant be easily replicated by the normal person.

  • Chris - Friday, February 2, 2007, 10:29AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    That is what it takes to be the boss. Sacrifice your weekends, your family, your friends, your hobbies and be a workaholic and you too can be a millionaire and maybe that will make you happy. Just dont bellyache when your marriage is empty, your children become neurotic cokeheads from the lack of parenting, and at the end of it all you lose your job anyway. If money and power are your priorities, go for it (explains a lot about the priorities of sucessful politicians). Just understand that I will judge you for that decision. What is really sad is that many people who take this path will not find success anyway. Ouch.. what a wasted life.

  • MadanMohan - Friday, February 2, 2007, 9:40AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Excellent guide for every one to follow

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Friday, February 2, 2007, 9:31AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Interesting that all of the dopes bellyaching about other's success still don't have a clue! America is the land of the FREE! If you don't want or can't do what is necessary to be a CEO, then stop complaining about those that do. CEO's are not handed anything...neither will you be handed anything. Effort equals results. The CEOs in this story appear to have solid home values, faith, and love for their families. It is exactly because they put the effort forth to create such an enviroment at home, which allows them the opportunity to become successful at work! Duh! Stop whining about others and start taking responsibility for yourself. If you do not agree with the hours and pay of your current position, then push yourself to find a better opportunity. You are the only thing holding yourself back. Go back and read the story. It is about morning routines of CEOs, not how unfair life is for the rest of the workforce. If you want another sob story about the underprivileged, single-mothers, or down-on-their luck people, who still do not understand the term FREEDOM, go watch Oprah. Unfortunately today too many people want to place blame on someone else.

  • Jennifer - Friday, February 2, 2007, 9:18AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    It was a very good article, but my question is What time do they leave the office?What time do they go to bed? Do they have to run a household? and What kind of quality family time is spent? All questions I feel could be answered in this article and were missed. I am not a CEO of a company, but I do get up at 5:30am every morning. I have a household to run and a job to get to.

  • Ju&#39;Ju - Friday, February 2, 2007, 8:58AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    article was inspiring not demanding , I think we as Americans take thing to serious and very quick to judge, you don't have to do what they dobut it's good to hear what other do work is work no matter what your doing you yourself have to take pride in it, thanks for the article

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Friday, February 2, 2007, 7:15AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Very interesting. Were any questions raised about what time they leave the office?

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Friday, February 2, 2007, 3:04AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    This shows how we are all enslaved by work. Even ceos must start early to beat the rat race! Shame on this society.

  • Kyle K - Friday, February 2, 2007, 1:45AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Gee, it must be nice when you don't have to do your own grocery shopping, cook your own meals, pick up your own dry cleaning, do your own laundry or vacuum your own carpets. Then you can devote your whole entire day to 75 minute cardio workouts and endless, pointless emails. The way these people talk, you would think they were curing cancer, or solving global warming. In actuality, all they're doing is making more money for a corporation's bottom line (and their own). These people may be successful, but what is the real meaning in their lives? Will they be on their deathbeds at age 95 wishing they'd read 5 instead of 4 newspapers a day? Will they be thanking God for the blessing of the "reply all" button?

  • lisa - Friday, February 2, 2007, 1:21AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    I can understand why some would be bitter about this article saying it's one of those pro 'americans work your asses off and forget your family'.. but i think articles like this dont hurt if you take what you want from it. Incorporate it into your life in a fulfilling way that suits you. In that sense it is a positive article. I'm 21 and dont have much work experience but thats my view.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Friday, February 2, 2007, 12:41AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Excellent article. Great advice. Thank you

  • AnnaO - Friday, February 2, 2007, 12:36AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    i think this is a great ever schedule management for a busy person who work day to night.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Friday, February 2, 2007, 12:35AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    How do these CEO's get enough sleep? Concensus for a healthy life seems to be 8 hours.

  • Big D - Friday, February 2, 2007, 12:23AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Good ole fashion work ethic fused with time blocking aka prioritizing makes for a successful recipe. Juggling personal, family, and career isn't always easy but making a habit of it helps. Interesting how prompt follow up, a characteristic of great customer service, permeates throughout the top brass.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Friday, February 2, 2007, 12:20AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Excuse me...where in the article does it say that by waking up early one is neglecting their children, being arrogant, or better yet...without christian morals? This was a simple motivational article for those who enjoy being productive...nothing more. So,relax, and stop throwing stones past your glass houses.

  • Amit - Friday, February 2, 2007, 12:15AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Excellent article... A lot of technology related people should read this. Thanks

  • Himgauri - Friday, February 2, 2007, 12:02AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Excellent article, inspired me. I am going to start doing some of the things from tomorrow.

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