7 men told us how they start their days. Fancy alarm clocks and morning runs are key to their success.

I have some good news to share — you don’t actually need to wake up at 3 a.m. to be successful.

That extra-early rising works for Tim Cook, sure.

Other successful men, though, told Business Insider that waking up at 5 a.m. is sufficient. In fact, it’s how most of them start their days.

Here’s a look inside the morning routines of seven professionals across industries, from making latte art to fitting in early workouts.

A venture capital investor starts his day with tea and journaling.

Bradford Jones is a 28-year-old investor at SignalFire, where he specializes in startup tech companies. Most days, he wakes up between 5 and 6 a.m. to get moving before work.

“I’m a big fan of drinking ginger tea to start my day, and then drinking water to get hydrated,” he said. “I usually take some type of caffeinated boost to get me going, too.”

From there, he checks his email for new messages and exercises (a Life Time location in Brooklyn is his gym of choice).

“I was a college athlete at the University of Michigan,” he said. “I played football and was a swimmer, so usually in the morning, I get a lift in, meditate in the sauna, and then shower.”

To complete his morning routine, Jones said he reads the Bible and writes in a journal.

A high-tech alarm clock is the key to a fashion influencer’s morning routine.

Alex Nicoll, 29, once worked in corporate roles for Fortune 500 companies. Now, he’s a full-time content creator who makes videos about men’s fashion.

Working for himself allows the influencer to wake up a little later, around 7 a.m.

“I’ve been using the Hatch alarm for probably six months now, and I really like it,” he said, applauding the clock’s sunrise-imitating light feature and “soothing” alarm sounds. “I feel like I wake up in a better mood when I use it.”

The rest of his routine is simple. He hydrates by chugging a bottle of water, does a simple skincare routine to feel refreshed, and grabs a coffee for energy.

One equity research analyst is all about early walks.

In 2023, BI named 35-year-old Bobby Mollins a rising star in his industry thanks to his work at research firm Gordon Haskett.

Though he’s since relocated from New York to Miami, he said his top priority in the mornings is still walking his dog before starting work at 7 a.m.

“When I was living in New York City, I was on the Upper West Side near Riverside Park, so I’d usually get him out there,” he said. “If I wanted to go a little bit longer, I would get him over to Central Park before the crowds got there.”

Now, he does the same but in Brickell, a neighborhood in Miami.

“I start and finish my day the same way,” he added.

Emails and podcasts are the first things this venture capitalist checks each day.

Bryce Johnson is a 25-year-old employee of Primary, where he invests in early-stage software companies.

Speaking with BI, he said he checks his email immediately when he wakes up to see if any important messages have come in overnight. Then, he reads newsletters to “get up to speed” on new deals.

“That’s the main thing,” he said about his digital routine. “Then I shower and go straight to work. I have a short commute time, so I’ll usually listen to a podcast or something on the subway that also revolves around investments.”

The CEO of an advertising agency relies on espresso and exercise.

As the founder and CEO of BCom, an advertising and media agency that works with Fortune 500 companies, 29-year-old Brent Comstock needs to wake up early.

“I’m someone who’s a little bit neurotic, and I’ve never really needed an alarm to wake up,” he told BI. “So, every day at 5 a.m., I’m like, ‘OK, it’s probably time to get up.'”

From there, he goes to the gym to mix a workout with some time on a hydro rowing machine — a “daily ritual” he began during the pandemic.

Finally, he makes a cup of espresso with Vital Proteins mixed in.

“I’m still on the Nespresso kick, mostly because I need to be able to order the coffee when I’m not home and I travel so much,” he said.

Going on a long-distance run early in the morning gets this CEO going.

Victor Guardiola, 27, created a “better-for-you” drink company called Bawi Agua Fresca. He told BI that he’s “very partial” to his free time in the morning, so he’s optimized his daily routine.

First, he wakes up around 5 a.m. with the help of home technology.

“The lights in my apartment are automated, and they ramp up to full brightness within 30 minutes of my alarm going off,” he said. “So while that is going on, I fill up my Hydro Flask with an electrolyte powder and drink that.”

He then gives himself two hours of “me time.” He journals, cleans his apartment, and heads out to exercise around 7 a.m.

“I either go to the gym, do some boxing, or go for a run,” he said. “I’ve been running long distance since I was about 5 years old — relay marathons, cross country, all that jazz. So I start most of my weekdays with some form of exercise.”

A software engineer and content creator has a special coffee routine.

Jodi Go, 27, is a full-time software engineer and lifestyle influencer. Each morning, he relaxes and clears his head to ensure the rest of his day is “as productive as possible.”

“I always start my day by making my bed,” he said. “I know it’s a bit nerdy, but it’s a habit I’ve had, and I feel like it’s really helping me start being productive.”

He then uses a portable speaker to play “chill music” while making coffee.

“I started practicing latte art about a year ago, and I feel like I’m getting pretty good at it,” he said. “It’s fun and it helps my brain to be creative in the morning.”

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