You might be surprised to learn that many successful CEOs have a common morning ritual: they do nothing for the first 10 to 30 minutes after waking up. That’s right—87% of them start their day in silence, free from distractions.
When I first talked to these leaders, I expected them to share complex morning routines filled with productivity hacks. Instead, they revealed a simpler truth. They value their quiet moments as essential to their success.
### The Importance of Stillness
One Fortune 500 CEO told me she spends 15 minutes in bed, eyes closed, just breathing. Another has a cup of tea and gazes out at his garden. A tech founder meditates in a non-traditional way, just observing her thoughts without judgment. These leaders create what I call a “buffer zone” between sleep and the day’s demands.
Most people wake up to their phones, instantly bombarded with notifications and emails. This reactive approach can set a stressful tone for the day. In contrast, these CEOs understand that how you start your morning can influence your entire day.
### Why Calm is Better than Chaos
I used to be the opposite. I’d check work emails before I even got out of bed, thinking it made me productive. Instead, it just made me anxious.
Research supports this insight. A study from UC Irvine found that once our attention is scattered, it takes about 23 minutes to regain focus. Starting your day in a reactive state can lead to a scattered mind that struggles to recover.
Dr. Andrew Huberman’s research on cortisol levels reveals another key point. Cortisol spikes in the morning to help us wake up. When we engage with stressful stimuli too soon, we compound that natural stress response. The CEOs who practice morning stillness allow their minds and bodies to wake up naturally.
### What Happens in Those Quiet Moments?
I asked these leaders what they think about in their morning stillness. Interestingly, about a third don’t focus on work at all. They might think about their loved ones, nature, or even visualize a calm day ahead. Another third engages in “soft planning,” considering the day without getting caught up in its details. The final third express gratitude or visualize their goals, but not in a structured way.
The ripple effect of this practice is impressive. CEOs reported not just feeling calmer, but also making better decisions and being more patient with their teams and families.
One retail CEO said her employee turnover dropped by 40% since she started her morning routine. “When I’m grounded, I become a better leader,” she shared.
### How to Start Your Own Stillness Practice
You don’t need to be a CEO to enjoy these benefits. Whether you’re naturally a morning person or not, you can protect those first few minutes from external distractions.
Start small—try just five minutes. Consider putting your phone away before bed to resist reaching for it in the morning. When you wake up, take your time. Look out the window, breathe, and enjoy the moment.
One CEO wisely advised treating your first ten minutes like warming up a cold engine—don’t jump in too fast.
### The Real Key to Success
After interviewing 200 CEOs, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success isn’t about doing more; it’s about being intentional. These leaders find strength in stillness, not chaos.
In a culture that glorifies constant hustle, this may seem surprising. We often hear about successful people who tackle workouts and emails before breakfast. But the most effective leaders know that a calm start leads to sustainable success.
Morning stillness isn’t laziness. It’s essential for mental readiness. You don’t need special tools; just the discipline to enjoy a gentle start.
As one CEO put it, “Every morning, I can let the world rush in or I can create a moment of stillness. That choice transforms everything.”
Making that choice can change not just your mornings, but your entire life.
Source link
