Dear Reader: Does having an early morning routine really set you up for success?

Whenever I listen to podcasts or consume content of successful leaders, there’s one common denominator. They always seem to be early risers with consistent morning routines. It’s not an anomaly when leader after leader mentions they woke up at 5 a.m. or earlier and finished their workout, meditation, shower and breakfast by the time the clock strikes 6 or 7 a.m. This isn’t to imply that if you’re a night owl you can’t be successful or establish daily routines; rather, it’s simply my observation of earlier risers.

According to research, early morning go-getters are poised for success. Here are some morning routines to inspire you to kick-start your day.

Ryan Matt Reynolds, founder and CEO of Barbell Logic, wakes up around 4 a.m. every day. “I don’t set an alarm. I’ve been this way my entire life, getting up very early, even as a kid,” he said.

“I like giving myself the opportunity to work undistracted for three hours every morning before the rest of the world wakes up and before the urgent demands of being a founder and CEO kick in. Waking up early is not discipline for me; it’s a habit. It’s been set my entire life. I also love to utilize my sauna and cold plunge, either post- or pre-training.”

Iman Abbasi, chief human resources officer of Plume, spends 30 minutes reading every morning, even if that means waking up at 4 a.m. “Usually it’s reading something that makes my mind settle,” she said. “I also spend 15 minutes every day going over the day with my kids (texting counts). This helps make sure I don’t forget anyone and sets my boundaries for the day.”

Jennifer Birdsall, Ph.D., senior clinical director at ComPsych, attributes much of her success to her morning routine. “Waking up by 5 a.m. allows me to start the day with a sense of calmness and clarity. There are no meetings, email rushes, etc. to distract me. My mind is fresh from a good night’s sleep and my energy is at its highest.”

After that first cup of coffee, Birdsall takes stock of her to-do list, catches up on emails and tasks from the previous day, and then works on projects that require strategic thinking. Most mornings, she works out at the gym for an hour.

“I am able to work out more effectively in the morning, when my energy is high, and it helps me start my day with more energy, mental clarity, reduced stress, and a positive mood,” said Birdsall.

“Not to mention, as a working mom with two young kids, by scratching off exercise in the morning, I know I got my self-care and self-health already checked off for the day, which makes me feel wonderful no matter what happens later. By the time the work day really starts, I’ve already accomplished a lot, for my own self-care and my work, allowing me to move through the rest of the day with confidence and effectiveness.”

Vicki Salemi is a career expert for Monster, an author, a speaker and consultant, TV commentator and former corporate recruiter. For more information, visit www.vickisalemi.com and follow her on Instagram @vickisalemi. /Tribune News Service