Self-made billionaire Richard Branson wakes up around 5 a.m. to exercise before starting his work day.
Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey, who s worth an estimated US$1.2 billion, also starts his morning routine at 5 a.m.
They re far from the only wealthy and successful individuals who get up before the sun does.
In a five-year study of 177 self-made millionaires, author Thomas C. Corley found that nearly 50 per cent of them woke up at least three hours before their work day actually began.
It s a strategy to deal with inevitable daily disruptions — such as a meeting that went too long or bumper-to-bumper traffic — and still have time to accomplish everything you set out to do that day, Corley explains in his book, Change Your Habits, Change Your Life .
Ultimately, getting things done early gives you more control over your life, he writes: It gives you a sense of confidence that you, indeed, direct your life.
