When it comes to finding a daily ritual that brings a sense of peace, CEOs have a wealth of experience to share. In this article, top executives reveal their simple yet effective practices, starting with the significance of journaling each morning and ending with the importance of creating a comfortable office environment. With insights from sixteen industry leaders, this compilation promises to offer valuable tips that can be easily incorporated into any routine.
- Start Day With Journaling
- Unwind Daily In The Sauna
- Practice Intentional Breathing And Reflection
- Observe The Sunset And Express Gratitude
- Take Evening Walks To Transition
- Follow A 20-Minute End Work Routine
- Mentally Scan Interactions To Appreciate
- Write Three Priorities Each Morning
- Begin Day With Moments Of Gratitude
- Visit Cafe And Walk During Lunch
- Play Online Game To Clear Head
- Focus On Controlling What You Can
- Practice Deep Breathing And Mindfulness
- Start Mornings With Gratitude
- Plan Ahead To Avoid Stress
- Create A Comfortable Office Environment
Start Day With Journaling
Starting my day with 15 minutes of journaling helps me unwind and set a positive tone. Reflecting on achievements, challenges, and future goals keeps my focus sharp. I incorporate this habit into team reflections, encouraging tutors to document successes and improvement areas. For example, journaling guided me to prioritize developing our Gulf region programs, resulting in 20% enrollment growth. Simple practices like this build clarity, foster gratitude, and create mental space for decision-making.
Tornike Asatiani
CEO, Edumentors
Unwind Daily In The Sauna
For me, it’s the sauna. I make it a point to spend some time in the sauna every day, and it’s become my go-to ritual for unwinding and resetting. As a CEO, the constant stream of decisions and challenges can get overwhelming, and the sauna gives me a space to step away, clear my mind, and just breathe.
It’s not just about relaxation—it’s also a moment to reflect on the day or think through ideas without distractions. Plus, the physical benefits of heat therapy are a nice bonus! My advice to others? Find that one thing you can do daily, no matter how small, that helps you disconnect and recharge. It makes a world of difference.
Tom Jauncey
Head Nerd, Nautilus Marketing
Practice Intentional Breathing And Reflection
One simple yet powerful ritual I incorporate into my daily routine is starting my morning with intentional breathing and reflection. Before diving into the day’s demands, I take 10 minutes to focus on deep, steady breaths, grounding myself in the present moment. This practice helps clear mental clutter, allowing me to approach challenges with calm and clarity. I often pair it with a brief journal entry, jotting down one thing I’m grateful for and one priority for the day. It’s a small act, but it sets a tone of focus and purpose.
As a CEO, finding peace in the chaos is essential, and these moments of stillness allow me to recharge and lead with intention. It’s a reminder that even amidst a packed schedule, taking time for yourself can fuel greater productivity and resilience.
Stephen Webster
CEO, Wellfleet Enterprises, Inc.
Observe The Sunset And Express Gratitude
I make it a point to spend five minutes observing the sunset each day, whether from my office window or my backyard. It’s a reminder of life’s natural rhythms, a moment that pulls me away from the artificial timelines of work and deadlines. Watching the sky shift colors gives me perspective—it’s a small yet profound way to reconnect with the bigger picture.
I start every day by writing down one “thank you” I owe—whether it’s to a client, a team member, or even a family member—and I make it a priority to express that gratitude before the day ends. It’s a small habit, but it keeps me grounded and helps me build stronger relationships. Gratitude has a multiplying effect; even the smallest gesture can create meaningful connections.
Jason B. Javaheri
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, J&Y Law
Take Evening Walks To Transition
The one most important practice that I incorporate into my daily routine is taking a walk in the evening after I go home to transition from work mode to family mode. This gives me the mindshift required to switch from the challenges and tasks of the day. I try to not think about work-related tasks during this time, with the exception of a few days when I need to clear my mind about something work-related. During this time, I set my phone into focus mode so only critical messages can interrupt me during this time.
After this walk, I feel fully recharged and ready to give my family the attention they deserve. It’s a small thing, but its impact on my physical and mental health is profound. Beyond helping me unwind, the routine also enhances my productivity by giving me space to decompress and reflect.
Anam Barkan
CEO, HireGO Minibuses
Follow A 20-Minute End Work Routine
I swear by my “end work” routine. It’s the only way I can effectively celebrate what I’ve gotten done, mourn what I haven’t, and create a game plan for a more effective tomorrow. More importantly, it helps me disengage from work and signals my mind and body that it’s safe to start recovering from the day.
It only takes 20 minutes and starts when my alarm goes off at 5 p.m. Here’s how I do it.
Step 1: Reflect on what I accomplished and what needs to improve for tomorrow (5 minutes).
Step 2: Plan my tasks for tomorrow (5 minutes).
Step 3: Handle any urgent emails that have popped up (5 minutes).
Step 4: Tidy up my desk and office so I have a clean environment the following day (5 minutes).
At the end of the 20 minutes, I shut my laptop and—even though it might sound silly—say out loud, “I’m done.”
Carey Bentley
CEO, Lifehack Method
Mentally Scan Interactions To Appreciate
When a full day of client calls, mentoring the team, and steering the ship finally comes to a close, I have one simple secret that works like a charm to reset and rewind. It never fails to elevate my mood and bring my day to a satisfying wrap-up. Before I step away from my computer, I take a moment to mentally scan through all of my interactions during the day. Running through the people on the other side of emails, in calls and video meetings, and in-person conversations, I take a moment to appreciate each connection. I find delight in the camaraderie, honor from the difficult discussions, and inspiration from progress, no matter how small. It’s a quick process that becomes even easier with practice, and it reminds me how wonderful it is to do this work. Try it, and see for yourself how powerful a simple scan can be to end your day in amazement and appreciation.
Beth Mielbrecht
CEO, Health with Beth
Write Three Priorities Each Morning
Taking a few minutes each morning to write down three priorities for the day makes all the difference. It clears my head, keeps me focused and prevents me from the overwhelm of juggling endless tasks. Pair it with a coffee break—no screens, just quiet—and it’s like hitting reset before the chaos kicks in.
Michael Hayden
Accountant | Business Owner, MH Services
Begin Day With Moments Of Gratitude
My daily go-to for spiritual calmness is a simple yet transformative ritual. I start each morning with a few moments of gratitude. Before the rush of the day takes over, I find a quiet space, take a deep breath, and reflect on the blessings around me.
From the warmth of sunlight streaming through my window to the simple joy of a hot cup of tea, acknowledging these small moments cultivates a profound sense of gratitude and sets a positive tone for the day. It’s a practice that instantly connects me to the beauty in life and grounds me in a state of peaceful mindfulness.
Marco Manazzone
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zzone Homes
Visit Cafe And Walk During Lunch
I start my workday at 9:00 am. Before that, from 8:00 to 8:30, I like to visit my favorite cafe, where I sip on an espresso and take a moment to people-watch and enjoy the surrounding nature. It’s my way of waking up fully and setting the tone for a productive day ahead.
I also make it a point not to have lunch at home or in the office. Instead, I use this time to take a walk. During these short walks, I like to listen to music to unwind a bit. Moreover, I avoid dealing with work tasks or answering messages during lunch—it’s my chance to clear my head and recharge.
Alexandr Korshykov
Founder & CEO, DreamX
Play Online Game To Clear Head
This may sound odd, but there is an online game I plan on my phone every morning and every evening…just for about 10 minutes. It was one that I was playing alongside my kids, and while they got bored and moved on, I had built so much stuff that I couldn’t let it go. But, I found that the repetitive task and building nature of it helped clear my head to get me focused on the day and then unfocused at the end of the day.
Paul Shrater
Founder – Ecommerce / 3pl / Manufacturing / Marketing, PaulShrater.com
Focus On Controlling What You Can
One tip I’ve found for managing stress and uncertainty as a CEO is to focus on controlling what you can and letting go of what you can’t. It’s easier said than done, but I remind myself daily that progress, not perfection, is the goal. Breaking big challenges into smaller, actionable steps helps me feel less overwhelmed and more in control.
As for self-care, I make time for what keeps me grounded: morning walks without my phone, journaling to clear my head, and scheduling “non-negotiable” time to unplug, even if it’s just an hour. It’s amazing how much clarity you can gain when you give yourself permission to pause and reset.
Mark London
President/CEO, Verity IT
Practice Deep Breathing And Mindfulness
As a CEO, one small ritual that brings me peace and helps me unwind is taking a few minutes each morning for deep breathing and mindfulness before starting my workday. I find a quiet space, close my eyes, and focus on my breath for five minutes. This simple practice helps clear my mind, set a calm tone for the day, and enhances my focus.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Start Mornings With Gratitude
It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind. But research shows that practicing gratitude can make a huge difference—helping with focus, resilience, and overall mental well-being. Leaders in the coaching world, like Tony Robbins and Marshall Goldsmith, swear by it, and it’s easy to see why.
Tony Robbins, for example, kicks off his day with a “priming” routine that includes focusing on what he’s grateful for, setting a positive vibe for the rest of his day. Marshall Goldsmith, a top executive coach, takes time every day to reflect and practice gratitude, saying it helps him stay grounded and connected to his purpose.
Taking a page from their playbook, I start my mornings with a deep breath and a quick moment of gratitude for everything I have. It’s a simple habit, but it keeps me motivated, grounded, and ready to face challenges that come my way.
Analia Mendez
CEO and Founder, Signature Careers LLC
Plan Ahead To Avoid Stress
With a dynamic working routine that I have, what really helps me to unwind is to plan ahead of time. I split my planning into daily, weekly and monthly, which helps me to prioritize my activities accordingly. This way, I clearly define relevant tasks and allocate needed time to complete them. Besides, I always liberate Fridays from operational activities and devote this time to strategic focuses. With such meticulous planning I avoid stressful situations, burnouts, and at the same time remain effective.
Ann Kuss
CEO, Outstaff Your Team
Create A Comfortable Office Environment
Ringing a daily sense of peace is very important to me. That is why I have made my office as comfortable as possible. I play soothing jazz music and have peaceful backgrounds on my TV. When the day gets to a hectic point I retreat to the cave and reflect on how fortunate I am and how far the company has come from day one. I think of how grateful I am for my amazing product and team.
Jeff Traylor
CEO, Dermodality Skin Solutions LLC