7am. Repetitively press the snooze button. Quickly leap out of bed. Down a cup of coffee. Frantically rush out the door without a second to spare.

Sound familiar? Many of us follow this rather rushed morning routine, arguably not the best start to the day, and find ourselves racing from one thing to the next as we attempt to play catch up.

Taking a look at how some seriously successful people manage their mornings can help determine some rather efficient routines. Here’s how the most effective people get out of bed on the right side, not just on Saturdays like the rest of us, but every single day of the week.

Winston Churchill

Waking around 7.30, Churchill would start his day by catching up with the news, sorting through his mail and eating a hearty breakfast- activities people should all attempt to find time for. It is at this point where your schedule would differ unless you have a relaxed approach to working at home; Churchill would stay in bed for the next couple of hours working and dictating to his secretaries. Once up and washed around 11am, he would go for a walk around the garden and retreat to the study with a whisky and soda.

What you can apply:

Start your day by reading the news, especially the latest developments relevant to your industry. Should you not be able to physically squeeze anything more into your morning, make it part of your commute- listen to the radio, audio book or catch up on your smartphone to make sure you are up to date and relevant when you step foot in the office.

Barack Obama

You wouldn’t think that being the US President would involve a pretty standard 9am start, but Obama is said to start a typical day at the Oval Office just before nine and work late into the evening. Before he makes his rather short commute to the office, Obama uses the first hour of the day by exercising and balancing his work and family life by eating breakfast with his family and helping his daughters get ready for the school day.

What you can apply:

Give yourself a boost of energy that will last throughout the day by exercising in the morning. Not only will it be beneficial for your health, but give you a deserved sense of accomplishment before the clock strikes nine. It also means you can enjoy your evenings doing what you love, completely guilt free!

Steve Jobs

Other than creating life changing technology, Steve Jobs recognised how work is a huge part of our lives and should be something you feel passionate about. Speaking about what he did every morning, Steve Jobs said,

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

What you can apply:

Make the start of the day a time for reflection. Evaluate what is important to you so you can quickly prioritise what and when things need to be done. Always attempt to make an impact in everything you do, no matter the size of the task in hand.

By setting the alarm for that little bit earlier and squeezing in some simple tasks you are able to start the day with a clear head, and who knows you might become just as successful as these individuals.