the morning ritual: a common thread among the successful
“Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning:
- What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion?
- And what for tranquility?
- What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these things.
- What, then? A rational being.
- What then is demanded of me? Meditate on your actions.
- How did I steer away from serenity?
- What did I do that was unfriendly, unsocial, or uncaring?
- What did I fail to do in all these things?”
— Epictetus, Discourses, 4.6.34–35
What do the world’s most successful people have in common? Yes, they are hardworking, driven, and have a clear vision for their lives. But there is another practice many of them share that often goes unnoticed: a morning routine. Far from being just a habit, this ritual is often a deliberate moment of reflection that helps them begin the day with clarity, focus, and a sense of purpose.
Consider Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and chairman of Block. Every morning, he meditates and then jogs six miles. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, wakes up at 5 AM to exercise and spend time with his family. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates multitasks during his morning workouts, using a treadmill while watching educational content. Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post, practices mindfulness for 20 to 30 minutes before engaging with technology. Oprah Winfrey begins her mornings with an hour of exercise in her home gym.
In each of these cases, the activity itself isn’t what’s most important. What stands out is the ritualized moment of self-reflection—a time to pause, look inward, and align their day with their deeper values and goals. This morning moment of stillness and focus acts as a compass, pointing them in the right direction for the rest of the day.
A particularly powerful example of this can be seen in the life of the late Steve Jobs. Every morning, Jobs would stand in front of the mirror, look at himself, and ask: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" This simple yet profound question kept him focused on what truly mattered. If the answer was “no” too often, Jobs knew it was time to reevaluate his path. By confronting this question daily, Jobs ensured that he wasn’t straying from his purpose and that each day counted in a meaningful way.
The significance of a morning ritual transcends mere productivity. It is an opportunity for self-awareness, reflection, and recalibration—a moment to step back and assess how aligned our actions are with our ultimate goals. And this isn’t a new concept. The Stoics, the ancient philosophers who advocated for self-discipline and living in accordance with nature, understood the importance of beginning each day with intention.
Marcus Aurelius, one of the most famous Stoic philosophers and Roman emperors, echoed this wisdom in his Meditations: “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” For Marcus Aurelius and the Stoics, the morning was not just the start of another day, but an opportunity to remind themselves of their mortality and the preciousness of time. This reflection wasn’t meant to induce fear, but rather to spur them into living fully and with purpose.
The Stoics viewed mornings as opportunities for training, for making progress in the pursuit of virtue and self-improvement. Just as a warrior prepares for battle or an athlete trains for a competition, the Stoics used the early hours to prepare for the challenges of the day ahead. They asked themselves questions that cut to the heart of their character, their actions, and their desires. Were they living in alignment with their principles? Were they treating others with justice and kindness? Were they using their time wisely?
In today’s fast-paced world, many of us rush through our mornings, scrambling to get ready and dive into the demands of the day. We feel stressed and overwhelmed before we even begin. But the Stoics, along with many modern-day high achievers, show us that there’s another way. By incorporating a reflective morning routine, we can slow down, breathe, and set the tone for the day with intention and purpose.
Success isn’t just about hard work or motivation; it’s about taking deliberate steps toward self-awareness. A meaningful morning ritual gives us that time and space to ask the tough questions and to assess whether our daily actions are aligned with our larger goals. By making this a habit, day after day, we cultivate discipline, clarity, and a sense of purpose that can guide us over the course of our lives.
So, starting today, ask yourself the tough questions. What do you want out of this day? What values will guide your decisions? Are you on the right path? Let these moments of reflection shape your actions, and over time, you’ll find yourself growing closer to the person you aspire to be. Success is built one morning at a time.
