Tim Cook, Elon Musk, and other top tech leaders’ morning routines and their secret of success

The morning routines of some of the world’s most influential tech leaders provide a glimpse into how they prepare for their demanding roles. From intense workouts to catching up on global news, the habits of CEOs like Apple’s Tim Cook, Tesla and SpaceX’s Elon Musk, Google’s Sundar Pichai, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella reveal the diverse ways they kick start their days.

Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter (X), is known for his tireless work ethic.Despite his late-night work hours, Musk typically wakes up around 9:00 AM after six hours of sleep. His first action upon waking is to check his phone for updates and any emergencies related to his businesses. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Musk humorously mentioned, "Some days I wake up and check Twitter just to see if it’s still working." His morning routine reflects his hands-on leadership approach, always staying in tune with real-time developments.

Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai prefers a more relaxed start to his mornings. Waking up between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, Pichai begins his day with a cup of tea and reads newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. His breakfast is usually simple—eggs and toast—allowing him to ease into the day calmly. Pichai's reflective start helps him mentally prepare for the many decisions and responsibilities that lie ahead in the day.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is a strong advocate of physical fitness to maintain mental sharpness. Rising at 5:30 AM, Nadella prioritises exercise, whether it's running or lifting weights. In a podcast, he shared, "It's just, 30 minutes of running, and it just makes a huge difference." This focus on fitness not only keeps him physically fit but also gives him the mental clarity needed for leading a tech giant like Microsoft.

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, takes early rising to another level, waking up at 3:45 AM each day. His mornings are dedicated to checking and responding to emails, catching up on work before most people have even started their day. Afterward, he heads to the gym at around 5:00 AM for a workout. Cook believes that controlling his morning allows him to manage his time more effectively, as he once stated in an interview with The Australian Financial Review, "I can control the morning better than the evening."

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, begins his day around 8:00 AM by checking Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram—platforms he oversees. In a Facebook Live Q&A, he acknowledged, “It’s a pretty sad situation, to be honest.” Despite the humour, Zuckerberg’s mornings are also filled with physical activity. He enjoys intense workouts that include jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts, which keep him physically fit and mentally sharp for his role as the head of one of the largest social media companies in the world.
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