logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2025
17m 29s

Does getting up early breed success?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

You might have seen it online - social media influencers sharing their morning routines before work. Some start as early as 4 or 5 AM, turning those hours into their personal 5-to-9 before the traditional 9-to-5 grind.

Michelle Obama, Bob Iger, and Apple CEO Tim Cook all claim to be up between 4 and 5 AM.

There’s a “5 AM club”, inspired by the habits of very successful people. But does waking up that early actually make us better at work?

And there’s even a whole industry of how to optimise your morning routine with supplements, journals and beauty products. In some cases, ice baths.

Against his better judgement, Business Daily's Matt Lines signed himself up to a week of 4 AM starts and met those for whom this is a way of life.

If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by Matt Lines

(Image: Matt Lines braving an ice bath as part of his research)

Up next
Yesterday
Inside gaming’s cheat problem
We explore the costly and growing problem of cheating in video games. It’s an issue that frustrates many players, but what about the impact it’s having on the multi-billion-dollar industry?We reveal how cheats undermine online play, harm reputations in esports, and cost studios b ... Show More
17m 37s
Apr 7
Headspace: from mindfulness app to military partner
Headspace started life as a mindfulness app. Now it's partnering with the US Navy and investing in artificial intelligence for mental health support.The company's CEO Tom Pickett speaks to us about therapy, the increasing role of technology, and tackling burnout at scale.If you'd ... Show More
17m 28s
Apr 7
Anthropic: the $300bn AI firm at war with the White House
Anthropic’s rise from startup to one of the world’s leading players in artificial intelligence has been staggering, but so in recent weeks has been its row with the US Government.Today, we look at that journey to becoming a 380 billion dollar company, ask why Claude has become on ... Show More
17m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
443 - Robin Sharma On The Extraordinary Benefits Of Waking Up at 5am
<p dir="ltr">Ready to create your best work? Robin Sharma has a morning routine for you. Learn about the extraordinary benefits of joining the 5am club — and why so many high performers, creatives, and leaders are waking up at 5am.</p> <p dir="ltr">"You can play with your phone o ... Show More
37m 16s
Nov 2021
How To Wake Up Early, Even If You're Not A Morning Person
Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early or you'd like to become more of a morning lark, here are a few habits that can help you set yourself up for success at that first alarm.See pcm.ad ... Show More
21m 40s
Jan 2022
Run Your Day Like a CEO
Send us Fan MailAre your mornings just the craziest time of the day? Between dealing with pets, coffee, and kids, you ultimately feel frazzled by the time you sit down at your desk. Or perhaps at the end of your day, you’re just exhausted and collapsing into bed. Well, high-perfo ... Show More
32m 8s
Mar 2025
266: Creating a Mindful Morning Routine That Supports Your Season feat. Lizzie Brown
<p>If you’ve ever struggled to stick with a morning routine or wondered if having one actually makes a difference, this episode is for you! 🌅✨</p><p>Today, I’m chatting with Lizzie Brown, an entrepreneur specializing in mental wellness and consumer tech. Before co-founding the a ... Show More
43m 25s
Oct 2022
How to wake up early, even if you're a night owl
Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early or you'd like to become more of a morning lark, here are a few habits that can help you set yourself up for success at that first alarm. (This epi ... Show More
22m 50s
Oct 2024
12 Things Successful People Do Every Day to Stay Productive
<p>Sarah was tired. Not just regular tired, but the bone-deep exhaustion that gnawed at her focus. She juggled a demanding startup, two kids, and a nagging sense that her to-do list grew faster than she could check things off. It was like running a marathon where the finish line ... Show More
11m 13s
May 2019
The Morning Routine
tail spinning
1 h
Sep 2024
Steps to Take to Make a Seven Figure Income // Andy Elliott
<p>What’s stopping you from becoming a millionaire? In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise with Asim Hafeez, a self-made millionaire who knows exactly how to tap into the untapped potential the U.S. has to offer. Asim doesn’t hold back as he shares the ruthless mindset ... Show More
44m 40s