The early bird gets the worm. This old adage may have more substance than we give it credit. Many of the most highly successful people in the world are early risers. Not only do they wake up early, but they make the absolute most of their time before the work day starts.

Margaret Thatcher was known for waking up every morning at 5 a.m., and Disney’s CEO Bob Iger has been quoted as saying “I get up at 4:30 in the morning, seven days a week, no matter where I am in the world.” The list goes on from here, but these are two strong examples illustrating the point that success begins in the small hours of the morning.

Luckily, overachieving early birds attribute their success to a fairly common set of daybreak activities. By introducing these same activities into your own morning routine, it only stands to reason you may be able to achieve similar results. Let’s take a look at 5 early morning habits successful people have in common.

Habit 1: Exercise and meditate

You are more likely to work out on a daily basis if you work out in the morning. Getting exercise out of the way first thing ensures you won’t skip your work out when you’re tired after a long day at work. The length of your work out isn’t what matters most. Whether you prefer to exercise at home or at the gym, even devoting 15 minutes in the morning to resistance or cardio training is well worth the effort.

The prospect of getting your body moving so early might be less than desirable, but exercising in the morning gives you a boost of energy and prepares your body for the day ahead. It also improves your focus and cognitive performance, while providing you with a sense of accomplishment.

Meditation is a highly regarded habit among successful people. Taking time in the morning to center yourself through meditation will equip you with a positive mindset for the rest of the day, and allow you to overcome any obstacles you face with a cool and calm focus. A yoga session can combine your exercise and meditation, and will wake you up and clear your mind.

Habit 2: Check email and read the news

The morning doesn’t have to be a time of sensory deprivation. Take a look through your email, assess which matters are in need of your urgent attention, and prioritize from there. You might want to consider setting aside some time in the morning to craft any emails requiring an immediate response. Many successful people find they have an easier time focusing their attention on these tasks while their minds are fresh. Getting your inbox down to zero and catching up on social media before tackling a new day will allow you to better concentrate on the tasks at hand once the work day begins.

Whether you are reading or watching the news, you shouldn’t feel guilty about taking some time in the morning to relax and catch up on current events. Even if you are reading about those events on Twitter, it is important to get up to date on the latest headlines. How do you expect to change the world if you don’t know what’s going on in it?

Habit 3: Visualize and strategize for the day ahead

Planning ahead is an important time management tool, and gives you clear goals to strive towards when work and life gets hectic. Being busy isn’t the same as being productive, so it is important to prioritize your tasks and visualize the day ahead. The morning hours are often some of the only quiet hours in the day, so this is the perfect time to reflect, problem solve and work out a schedule for the upcoming day, week or month. Creating a clear road map in your mind will maximize your potential and keep you moving towards your goals.

Taking a few moments to visualize the success you are going to have in the day ahead will help to improve your mood and will make your work load seem less daunting. When you wake up in the morning, identify a few tasks that would add value to your life upon their completion. Identifying these tasks on a consistent basis and following through will propel you towards success.

Habit 4: Work on a project

A regular work day can quickly be filled up with meetings, interruptions and small tasks. Before you know it, the day is over, you’re exhausted and you haven’t really accomplished anything important. Taking time in the morning to work on a top-priority business project enables you to fully concentrate without being interrupted. The hours before the work day begins is the perfect time to devote a fresh mind to a project, while also ensuring it gets your attention before the other people in your life use it all up.

Whether it be writing or making art, many successful people dedicate some of their morning hours to a personal creative project. Taking time in the morning to work on a passion project places a priority on your creative expression. Whatever the project may be, it is important and fulfilling to have an outlet outside of work and daily responsibilities. Doing something for the pure pleasure of it will recharge your batteries and fill you with a feeling of achievement.

Habit 5: Eat breakfast with somebody

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Running out of the house with just a coffee in hand is an all too common habit. Taking the time to sit down and eat a healthy breakfast will fuel your body for the tasks ahead of you. Starting the day on an empty stomach will leave you watching the clock until lunchtime, but having a full stomach will allow you to get down to work.

Family dinners are a highly regarded ritual, but the timing of the meal isn’t the important part. Some successful people turn their breakfast into a family affair. At the end of the day you are more likely to be exhausted and want to zone out in front of the TV. Using the morning as a time to connect with your spouse and/or children gives you the opportunity to share what’s going on in your lives while you still have the energy to do so. Scheduling a networking breakfast every so often is another way to build the connections in your life, while making sure you have a bite to eat before the work day begins.

Incorporating these 5 habits into your morning routine will set you up for greatness. Taking advantage of the quiet hours of the morning to concentrate on your goals and take care of important business will put you a step ahead of the pack. Get up early. This simple step will place you in the same company as some of the most wildly successful people in the world, and might even make you one of them.