12 things successful people do before breakfast

Most successful people, whether they be entrepreneurs, business leaders, or politicians like to do thing their own way - but most of them share common habits that's helps them stay successful.

Here are some these captains of industry swear by.

1. Get up early

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An obvious one to start up, to be productive before breakfast, you need to give yourself time.

Famously, Virgin's Richard Branson wakes up at 5:45 in the morning - even when he's not working and Apple's Tim Cook gets up (and sends company emails) at 4:30 every morning,

2. Exercise

For some, the thought of hitting the gym before 8am is horrendous - but lots of successful people do it. General Electric CEO Jeff Imlet told Fortune that he gets up at 5:30 in the morning for a cardio workout while he catches up with the news.

Getting up early and doing as little as 10 minutes exercise releases GABA, a neurotransmitter that will make your brain feel smoothed and help you to control your impulses, and make better decisions throughout the day.

3. Drink water

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Drinking water as soon as you wake up spikes your energy and helps level you both physically and mentally - plus drinking it first thing in the morning (on any empty stomach) - helps with absorption.

Many successful people - such as Arianna Hugffington start their day with hot water and lemon. Lemons are full of nutrients such as potassium and vitamin C.

4. They take a shower

Science shows we have our best ideas in the shower.The warm water, relaxed state and distraction from everything else around us will release dopamine.

5. Spend time with family

President Obama had breakfast with his family everyday while in the White House.

6. Catch up on news

Whether it's watching TV, listening to the radio, reading the headlines on your phone or sitting down with a paper, most successful people get the day's news before breakfast.

7. Write down what they're grateful for

Expressing gratitude has been shown to centre people and put things into perspective before entering the office. In "What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: And Two Other Short Guides to Achieving More at Work and at Home" Laura Vanderkam writes that many executives spend a "fair chunk" of their mornings "expressing gratitude, asking for guidance, and being open to inspiration".

8. Read and send emails

According to a Robert Half Management Resources, half of executives begin their days by checking their email.

10. Make their beds

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In "The Power of Habit" Charles Duhigg writes that making your bed every morning is positively correlated with increased productivity as it can cause a series of positive chain reactions.

11. Meditate

A lot of successful business people meditate to clear their minds find thing in the morning.

According to Business Insider Manisha Thakor, a financial adviser and former corporate executive does two 20-minute sessions a day, the first before breakfast and the second in the evening where she focuses on breathing.

12. Work on a passion project

People can never find times for their dreams - whether it's writing a novel, learning to paint or playing an instrument - unless you do it early in the morning.

More: The secret to being successful is a lot easier than you think