The 5 a.m. Investor: Morning Routines That Build Wealth

Written by The Inspired Investor Team

We’ve all heard the saying “the early bird gets the worm”, and when it comes to building wealth, there may be more truth to it than you think. A University of Toronto study¹ found that early risers not only have more time to get things done in the morning, they also tend to be happier and healthier.

For investors, the morning can be a good time to review portfolio performance, analyze overnight market movements and make thoughtful decisions before the hectic day takes over. Having a solid, intentional morning routine can build discipline, clearer thinking and a can-do mindset – all qualities that can help you approach the day’s opportunities with focus and confidence. Here are a few tips to start off your morning right.

Start with purpose
While it’s nice to have some quiet time before the markets start moving, how you use that time can make a difference. Stacey Berger, a certified life coach and mindset expert, recommends starting your day with purpose before reaching for your phone or that first cup of coffee. To her that means setting an intention for the day, and choosing one action to move you closer to a goal. This could involve learning about a new company, or something related to a financial goal.

For investors, taking time in the morning to review your investment plan or consider your moves for the day could also help separate emotion from strategy. If you’ve reviewed your plan, you're more likely to stick to it and less likely to react to headlines. “If I get up at 5 a.m., that’s great, but what am I going to do with my first 15 minutes?” says Berger. “Getting into that mindset is how we set ourselves up for success.”

Take care of personal tasks first
While diving into the markets the moment you get out of bed may be tempting, another approach could sharpen your investment focus. Marc Gendreau, founder of Optimatron, an Ottawa-based productivity coaching firm, says you could choose to focus on personal tasks before the bell rings. Things like exercise, meal prep or calling the washing machine repair man can drain your focus if they they're left hanging. Tackling them early can help clear mental space for the rest of the day, says Gendreau. A less cluttered mind means fewer distractions – something disciplined investors rely on when making informed, confident decisions. “Morning is an optimal time to work on yourself, get projects done and make progress on whatever it may be,” he says. After you’ve taken care of some personal business, you could think about investing-related tasks, like reading through quarterly reports, examining charts and watching the news.

Prepare the night before
If you’ve already decided that the early hours are for a workout, reading the financial news or doing some extra learning, you’ll want to get at it soon after the alarm rings. That’s in part because knocking a few things off your to-do list can give you sense of accomplishment that can carry through the rest of the day. To help you do what you need to do right away, Gendreau recommends doing some of the boring stuff – like packing a lunch or laying out your clothes – the night before so you can hit the ground running in the morning. To that end, it’s also important to get a good night’s sleep. “Follow good sleep hygiene and go to bed seven or eight hours before you plan to wake up,” he notes.

Both Berger and Gendreau agree that it’s not what time you wake up at that matters most – it’s the intention. While early mornings can be ideal for focus and clarity, night owls might handle some of the tasks that other might take care of early later in the day. Still, there’s something special about squeezing a little more out of the early hours. “The morning is the most creative time of the day and when your brain is most receptive, almost like a blank slate,” says Berger. “What you do with it in those first moments really can matter.”

Sources
^1. _{University of Toronto, "Early to bed, early to rise", 2012}