We're so often bombarded with talk of magical morning routines that supposedly transform lives. You know the drill; wake up at 5am, meditate, workout, icy cold shower - and bam, you're set for success.
But the truth is, how we spend our evenings is just as crucial as those morning rituals.
The evening hours are when many successful individuals sort through the noise and chaos of the day. They use this time to recharge their batteries, reflect on lessons learned, and deliberately set themselves up for another knockout performance tomorrow.
Today, we'll dive into five powerful evening habits of such high achievers.
01 They disconnect from devices before bedtime
How often do you find yourself falling asleep watching a Youtube video or scrolling Instagram and waking up lying next to (or on!) your phone the next morning?
I’ll admit I have been guilty of this, too.
But as you might have guessed, this is not doing our minds any favors as we try to wind down for the night. Numerous studies
have proven that device usage before bed can negatively impact sleep quality.
It’s also backed up by experts like organizational psychologist, Dr.
Michael Woodward, who has
stated
“the last thing you need is to be lying in bed thinking about an email you just read from that overzealous boss who spends all their waking hours coming up with random requests driven by little more than a momentary impulse”.
Many successful people seem recognize this digital trap and take deliberate steps to avoid it. Richard Branson, the hugely successful Entrepreneur, for instance,
has said
he powers down his devices before going to sleep.
This purposeful break promotes better sleep, reduces eye strain, and provides a genuine respite from our frenetic digital lives.
The point?
The world can wait -clock out for the night out for the night.
02 They practice gratitude
Amid the hustle to achieve and inevitable setbacks, many successful individuals have a powerful grounding force: an intentional gratitude practice.
As noted by
CNBC, major influencers and leaders like Ariana Huffington, Tony Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey have openly credited having a gratitude practice as a crucial element behind their achievements.
Oprah told
The Hollywood Reporter
that “The last thing I do before I go to sleep is write five things that gave me great pleasure or that I was grateful for.”
Huffington has echoed this
stating, "I love the idea of starting and ending the day with three things I'm grateful for."
If that’s doesn’t convince you to give it a shot, know that the benefits of gratitude are also well-backed by scientific research.
Studies
have shown that practicing gratitude can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, promote heart health, reduce stress levels, and improve the quality of sleep.
But how we do this?
Well, it could be simple a mental reflection, a written list, or a verbal expression shared with loved ones.
On a personal note, this has been a game-changer for my own happiness and motivation. If you don’t do it already, give it a shot!
03 They read
This one will come as no surprise to you.
Most successful people are known to be big lifelong learners and this learning doesn’t stop once the sun goes down.
Reading is a common thread found among many successful people, serving not just as a way to unwind but also as an opportunity to continuously learn and expand their horizons.
Barack Obama
has shared that he dedicates about half an hour before bed to reading, which helps him relax and take his mind off the pressures of daily life.
Bill Gates is another prolific reader, carving out a full hour each evening to delve into books, citing it as a critical part of his daily routine.
Similarly,
Ariana Huffington
makes a point to read real books before bed.
These high achievers understand that the benefits of reading stretch far beyond relaxation.
Whether it’s fiction that transports them to another world, or non-fiction that offers new insights, the act of reading regularly is likely integral to their success and well-being.
04 They prioritize getting enough quality sleep
It seems rudimentary, yet it's often neglected - successful people appreciate the indispensable importance of a good night's sleep.
Most don't try to outwit biology by subsisting on a few hours of rest. Instead, they understand sleep is the fundamental way the body and brain restore, reset, and prepare the energy reserves for what's to come.
And when we look at the research, it makes sense. As
noted by the
NIH, “Sleep deficiency can interfere with work, school, driving, and social functioning. You might have trouble learning, focusing, and reacting.” Too little sleep is also linked to a number of serious health problems like heart disease, high boold pressure, stroke and depression. Hardly a recipe for success, eh?
To mirror the success of these achievers, consider establishing a consistent bedtime routine and ensuring you get the right amount of sleep your body needs every night.
05 They plan and set intentions for the next day
While it's tempting to simply crash after a long day, those who are steps ahead use their evenings to look forward.
For example, according to
Business Insider, Kenneth Chenault, former CEO of American Express writes down threw key things he wants to accomplish the next day.
It's not about militant scheduling of every minute - it's about giving direction and focus to their efforts when they wake up, ensuring they start productive and purposeful versus reactionary.
This small nightly ritual is like gifting their future self a roadmap to begin intentionally.
The bottom line
The evening hours represent a powerful opportunity. While many view this time as simply passing period before bed, the most successful view it as sacred productive space.
By reclaiming their nights through intentional evening rituals, they're not just preparing for an energized day ahead - they're fortifying a lifestyle of overall thriving.
True greatness, it seems is at least in part built brick-by-brick through the small, seemingly insignificant choices we make after the sun goes down.
I hope you found some value in this post.
Until next time.