Morning routines set the tone for decision making, productivity, and discipline. They also provide a window into how leaders prepare to guide global companies worth trillions. Among the most interesting examples are Jamie Dimon, the long serving CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, and Jensen Huang, the co-founder of Nvidia. Each begins the day differently, yet all share a commitment to structure and habit, showing the economic and personal value of routine.

Jamie Dimon: Reading the World Before the World Wakes

Jamie Dimon has led JPMorgan Chase since 2005 and is regarded as one of the most powerful figures in global finance. His morning routine is heavily shaped by newspapers.

• Wake up time: Around 4:30 in the morning.
• First: Flips quickly through the New York Post because it is what many others read and gives him a sense of popular headlines.
• Second: Reads the Washington Post, focusing on the front page, the narrow business section, and the editorials. This gives him a view of national politics and policy.
• Third: Reads the New York Times, going through the entire front section and the business section. This provides broader coverage and deeper analysis.
• Fourth: Reads the Wall Street Journal, focusing on the front section and the Exchange section. This supplies him with a direct look at markets and business trends.
• Fifth: Reads the Financial Times, which he saves for last because of its global perspective and international business coverage.
• Weekends: Adds The Economist for its long form global analysis and context.

Dimon’s order moves from popular headlines, to national politics, to broad US reporting, then to market coverage, and finally to international issues. By the time markets open he already has a layered understanding of events shaping finance worldwide.

Tim Cook: Customer First and Data Second

Tim Cook became Apple’s CEO in 2011 and has built a reputation for discipline and precision. His morning routine is centered on people and performance.

• Wake up time: Between 4:00 and 5:00 in the morning.
• First: Reads and responds to customer emails. He has said this grounds him and reminds him of the impact Apple products have on everyday lives.
• Second: Reviews overnight sales reports to understand Apple’s global performance before the US workday begins.
• Third: Heads to the gym for strength training and cardio, which reinforces his discipline and health.
• Fourth: Has a light breakfast that typically includes sugar free cereal with almond milk, egg whites, and turkey bacon.
• Fifth: Heads to Apple Park prepared with insights from both customers and data.

Cook’s approach shows how listening directly to customers and staying close to performance numbers can drive leadership of one of the world’s most profitable companies.

Jensen Huang: Relentless Focus on Priorities

Jensen Huang co-founded Nvidia and is known for his tireless work ethic. His mornings reflect his intensity and focus.

• Wake up time: Usually around 5:00 in the morning, sometimes closer to 6:00 to avoid waking his puppies.
• First: Immediately focuses on his most important long term project. He has said this creates an early win that sets the tone for the day.
• Second: Reviews the “Top 5 Things” emails from employees, which are concise updates that help him track strategic progress without wasted time.
• Workday: Known for working 14 hour days, seven days a week, often describing himself as always working or always thinking about work.

Huang’s routine emphasizes priority setting and efficiency, ensuring that his time and energy go directly toward keeping Nvidia at the forefront of artificial intelligence and computing.

Lessons From the Early Hours

The differences among these routines are clear. Dimon is a global scanner who uses a structured newspaper sequence to layer political, economic, and cultural insights. Cook is a listener who begins his day by hearing from customers and studying sales data. Huang is a builder who starts with his highest priority project and concise team updates. They share the same belief that mornings are the foundation of leadership. Go seize the day!