9 Daily Habits of Highly Successful Leaders

Analysis of daily routines from top executives reveals that highly successful people share specific productivity habits. The study examined interviews from leaders including CEOs of Philip Morris International, Lyft, and Whoop to identify common themes.

Key findings show that successful individuals intentionally design their days, particularly the beginning and end. They protect their mornings for focused work, prioritize protein-rich meals for sustained energy, and structure meetings to avoid reactive scheduling. Many leaders exercise for mental clarity and use meditation or prayer as daily anchors.

They optimize walks for productivity and batch meetings to preserve focus time. The research indicates that optimal performance comes from making better decisions within available hours rather than cramming more activities into the day. These habits reflect a shared philosophy of intentional time management and mental health prioritization among high achievers.

Successful leaders treat their mornings as sacred time, protecting these hours for intentional activities before the demands of the day take over. Stacey Kennedy, CEO of Philip Morris International, allows herself five minutes to check email before starting her routine. On an ideal morning, she wakes at 6:30 a.m., takes a mindful walk, and completes 15 minutes of yoga before arriving at the office at 8 a.m.

Tori Dunlap, CEO of Her First 100K, checks her phone briefly upon waking before taking a circadian walk to improve digestion, metabolism, and daily energy. Meredith Whittaker, Signal president, wakes around 6:30 a.m. and fits in a protein shake, coffee with cardamom, dance music, house chores, and non-negotiable yoga while still catching up on AI news.

The philosophy extends beyond complete disconnection. Leaders recognize that protecting mornings matters even when staying partially connected. Their routines emphasize that optimal performance isn't about cramming more into each day, but making better decisions within available hours.

High achievers deliberately prevent their inboxes from dictating their schedules. Carter Reum, venture capitalist, explained that opening his inbox means losing control and immediately reacting to others' priorities. To avoid this trap, he writes down his own priorities before checking email.

Mark Cuban manages email across three phones, processing 700 to 1,000 messages daily while on the go. Rather than being consumed by meetings, he uses his inbox to avoid them. The payoff includes fewer "long, boring meetings" and more time for his own priorities.

Leaders also batch meetings to protect focused work time. Emily Fontaine, IBM's global head of venture capital, limits most meetings to 20 minutes and avoids back-to-back scheduling. Meredith Whittaker batches conversations into afternoon blocks, often from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., while protecting mornings for solitary work. Stacey Kennedy schedules some meetings a year in advance for long-term planning.

Protein-rich breakfasts consistently appear among high achievers seeking sustained energy. Will Ahmed, CEO of Whoop, starts workout days with six to eight eggs, and a more measured amount on rest days. Sunny Jiang, CEO of Eyebuydirect, shares this preference, calling herself a "big egg person."

Justin Nedelman, CEO of Pressed Juicery, skips breakfast three days weekly but prioritizes fat and protein over carbs when he does eat. His choices include greens juice, avocado or grilled cold fish with salad, and Greek yogurt with fruits and seeds. Arthur C. Brooks eats Greek yogurt, protein powder, nuts, and berries after his workout.

Exercise serves mental clarity rather than just physical health. Kevin O'Leary bikes for 12 hours every morning for "longevity and mental acuity," stating that "bad things happen" without it. Jimmy Spithill, CEO of Redbull Italy SailGP team, hits the gym first because he makes better decisions after getting his blood pumping. Arthur C. Brooks trains hard at 4:45 a.m. without distractions to preserve dopamine for focus.

Leaders use meditation as a daily anchor rather than a chore. Will Ahmed has practiced meditation for over 11 years, spending 10 to 20 minutes each morning breathing deeply with eyes closed. Mark Rivers uses structured breathwork in the evening to quiet his mind and ease into an early 8:30 p.m. bedtime.

For some, meditation connects to faith. Bozoma Saint John begins mornings with up to an hour of meditation, reading, or prayer, which she says brings her greatest clarity. Arthur C. Brooks attends Catholic Mass every morning at 6:30 a.m., even while traveling, using the meditative focus to regulate mood, sharpen creativity, and sustain concentration.

Walks are optimized for productivity. David Risher, CEO of Lyft, takes a 30-minute walk daily for iced matcha, sometimes turning it into one-on-one staff meetings. Will Ahmed takes meetings while walking outside and uses a walking desk. Andrew Yang uses lunch walks for team updates.

Evening rituals signal the end of the workday. Tori Dunlap reads and journals at night to process thoughts and reset. Stacey Kennedy reads for 30 to 60 minutes, saving fiction for weekends. Arthur C. Brooks prays the rosary with his wife and avoids screens before their 9 p.m. bedtime. Meredith Whittaker tidies up and listens to music or podcasts to create a gentle transition out of work mode.