Behavior modeling is the idea we can imitate or copy someone else’s behavior to learn something. For example, if a sales manager sees another sales manager do something that helps them get the client, he or she could try to duplicate the behavior in the hopes of getting a client of his or her own.
That’s one reason we tend to pay attention to the behaviors and habits of successful people. Those individuals have reached a measure of success and, if we want to achieve some level of accomplishment, we might want to incorporate some of their strategies.
Stories about the qualities of successful people often mention having passion for their work, being adaptable, becoming more self-aware, etc. All of those things are important, but to do them, you need to spend your time wisely. That means having some sort of morning routine that allows you to start your day by being as productive as possible.
A word of warning first: Successful people start their day early! But don’t let that deter you. If you don’t want to duplicate the behavior, think about how you can modify it and still reap the benefit. Here are five things that successful people include in their morning routine:
1. Time: Successful people set aside time for a “morning routine.” The first step is carving out the time to make it happen. Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk allocates 3 hours for his morning routine. While you might not want or need something that lengthy, give your morning routine importance in your schedule. The value comes in doing your morning routine regularly.
2. Nutrition: We’re not going to tell people what to eat, but some form of nourishment is important to maintain your energy. Billionaire Warren Buffet has eaten the same thing for the past 54 years. Depending on his mood, he orders one of three items at McDonald’s and never spends more than $3.17. Successful people stay focused and get stuff done.
3. Activity: Successful people find time to walk, work out or get some kind of activity. Including activity in your morning routine can help increase productivity. It’s also convenient. Last-minute demands can often derail afternoon and evening workouts. Anna Wintour, artistic director of Conde Nast, likes to play tennis first thing in the morning.
4. Reflection: Author and co-founder of The Huffington Post Arianna Huffington says she starts the day with deep breathing and practicing gratitude. If that’s not your thing, consider meditation, mindfulness or simply a quiet drive on the way into work. Successful leaders carve out time for thinking and reflection. It’s not only relaxing, but a method for dealing with stress.
5. Fun: Morning routines aren’t all about work. Sir Richard Branson likes to wake up early so he can spend time with family before heading off to work. You can also dedicate time for listening to music or a podcast, watching an episode of your favorite TV show, or playing a game. We spend a lot of time focused on work, so it’s important to find a few moments for fun.
Find your own morning routine
You don’t have to duplicate the morning routines of these individuals to become successful. But do take a moment to think about why they’re doing them. It’s to take care of themselves and start their day productively. And that what fuels their productivity, decision making and, ultimately, their success.
