Morning rituals are commonly touted as the secret to productivity and success. But Unusual Morning Routines for some of the greatest minds in the world didn’t start with a jog or green smoothie. Rather, their morning rituals were strange, quirky, and downright bizarre. Take a glimpse at five bizarre morning habits adopted by renowned geniuses that fueled creativity and innovation.
The legendary musician was compulsive about his morning coffee. Beethoven demanded that he brew his own cup using precisely 60 coffee beans—nothing more, nothing less. This exact ritual served to concentrate him and power his grueling music sessions for the rest of the day.
Tesla was a firm believer in maintaining a clear mind with physical well-being. Each morning, he did 100 toe curls for each foot before even leaving bed. Though strange, Tesla attested that this stimulated his mind and helped him stay energized throughout his own long inventive days.
Prior to engaging in the American Revolution or writing sage quotes, Franklin indulged in what he referred to as “air baths”—sitting bare in his room for 30 minutes each morning with the windows open, winter or summer. He believed that the fresh air revived his body and mind.
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs started a lot of mornings with the question in front of the mirror, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?” This routine served to keep him focused on his interests and goals.
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While everyone else gets up in their own houses, poet Maya Angelou paid to use a spare hotel room from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. to compose. She used only a Bible, a bottle of sherry, a deck of cards, and writing materials—no distractions there.
Though these habits may appear strange, they do contain a valuable truth: there is no formula for greatness. It’s toe curls or bean counting, yet it’s persistence and self-knowledge that really dictate achievement.