We have heard this before when arriving last to grab a piece of pizza, missing the bus, or maybe pulling a ticket late in the week for Aggie football (hello third deck). However, this phrase pertains more to success in business than anything. Studies show that having a consistent and early morning routine is common in successful people. Feel free to hit the snooze one more time, but getting up early is a habit embedded into successful people.

But what if you find yourself most productive later in the day? No excuse! Getting up early does not necessarily equate to working early, but being active. There are a multitude of activities that can be done while the sun is still peaking above the horizon.

These include:

• Exercising
• Meditating
• Reading
• Talking to family or friends
• Watching the news
• Finishing emails
• Walking your dog
• Making breakfast
• Yoga
• Completing tasks around your house/apartment
• Starting a morning hobby

But don’t take it from us; take it from a few CEOs.

The CEO of AOL, Tim Armstrong, reported to The Guardian his morning routine of  routinely getting up around 5 am to send emails or exercise. Perhaps both? That’s what treadmill walking was created for.

But wait, what’s email?

Ok maybe you don’t have a career or job that requires you to send emails or stay in direct contact with employers. But don’t turn to Snapchat instead. Rather, consider turning inward like Gwyneth Paltrow does. She described her morning routine as waking up at 4:30 am to practice asanas. She noted, “It’s just sheer determination. I’m very strict with myself. When I practice six days a week and eat clean food, I feel much better.”

But, I would rather be doing something active…

Perfect! Tailor your schedule to be similar to Joanna Coles, editor-in- chief of Cosmopolitan who wakes up before 7:30 am in order to walk her dog. “She’ll start walking round the room, and then I will get up and take her out for a walk. I normally walk her for about an hour in the morning. It’s the only time of day I get to myself.” 

Walk, meditate, exercise, email, eat, repeat. Wait, don’t repeat. You just started your day and you have things to get done!