Samantha Emmett 
The morning can be more productive than you thought.
Everyone wants to be successful. Fortunately, among the many things you can do to set yourself up for a professional win, several can be done before you even get into the office. In fact, truly successful people tend to pack as much as they can into their mornings, as they know it can be the most productive time of the day.
If you want to increase your productivity in the office, start your day off right. Follow in the footsteps of some of the most successful professionals and adopt these morning habits.
They start with a healthy breakfast
Sugary cereals might taste delicious, but they won't give your body the nutrients it needs. Eating protein and healthy fats at this time of day will help you get off to the best possible start in terms of energy. It'll boost your concentration levels too – after all, a grumbling stomach can be a massive distraction. What's more, research shows that it can be beneficial to hold off on coffee for the first few hours of the day. Who knew?
They plan out their day
If you want to get the most out of every moment, you should plan your days in advance ‒ and mornings are the ideal time to do just that. Decide what you want to achieve by the end of the day and the steps you'll need to take to get there. Then make a mental note – or start an actual list – so you can tick things off one by one. Planning and list keeping can also help put your mind at ease because you're not trying to remember 20 things at once.
They get on top of their emails
Successful people know that there are some things you can't plan for, like a last-minute meeting or an invitation to chat with a networking contact. That means you can't truly know what kind of opportunities, tasks, or challenges the day holds for you until you check your messages. What's more, reading your emails first thing in the morning can massively boost your productivity, as you'll be able to walk into the office knowing exactly what's going on and what you need to tackle first.
They get active
Sure, we all want to be fitter, leaner and healthier. But unless you're one of those lucky people who loves spending hours in the gym, you might find it hard to get motivated. So how can you get yourself ready for the day and also get your physical activity in? Head to the gym or that exercise class first thing in the morning, before you have time to talk yourself out of it. Not only will this boost your metabolism and help reduce stress, but it will also give you that warm, fuzzy feeling of self-satisfaction. All of these can help you both achieve fitness success and start your day in a positive way.
They work on a personal project
There's no better time to chip away at that novel, work on your photography or study for that online degree than in the morning. Think about it: No one else is around to distract you, you're more creative than at any other time of the day and you haven't yet been worn down by work, chores and commutes! When you're at your freshest, you're at your most focussed. So, if you want to be more like the world's most successful people, use this time to work on the projects that bring you the most joy.
They tackle that important to-do list
When it comes to starting the work day, successful people jump straight into the most pressing tasks first and don't allow themselves to procrastinate. This is because it's easier to get your most important and best thinking out there first thing in the morning. Of course, another benefit is that you won't have it hanging over you for the rest of the day.
They boost their mood
As the saying goes, sometimes you may just wake up on the wrong side of the bed. But there are things you can do to boost your mindset: meditation, remembering what you're thankful for, listening to uplifting music or spending quality time with your loved ones over breakfast are great examples. Just because you woke up in a bad mood, there's no need to write the day off completely. Even the most successful people suffer setbacks – but it's how they deal with them that counts.
Of course, to be successful you don't need to earn a high salary, win an award or complete a marathon. A person finds success when they make the most out of every opportunity they come by – and when they approach everything they do with ambition and the right attitude. Start doing these things and you'll be on your way.
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