According to the experts what you do first thing in the morning has the greatest impact on the success of the rest of your day. In this series we asked our soloist community what rituals they use to kickstart their systems before getting on with work for the day.

Name: Ben Thompson
Business:  Cofounder and CEO of people-management platform, Employment Hero

Do you action/plan/do anything specific to prepare for the morning the night before?

This depends on what I have on. Some nights, I pack my gym bag. Other nights, I prioritise getting a solid night’s sleep.After reading the book “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker, I became more aware of the importance of good, quality sleep for all health and fitness. I avoid drinking coffee after 2:00pm, and often listen to audiobooks or podcasts as I’m falling asleep. I set a 15-minute sleep timer (when Audible automatically stops playing), and I’m rarely awake by this time.

What time do you wake up?

I wake up at 5:55am most days. Ideally, my phone alarm wakes me up with a favourite tune, usually by Radiohead, but I often get woken earlier by my youngest child who is a very early riser.

What is the VERY first thing you do after you wake up? If you eat, what do you eat?

Every morning is a little different. It alternates between jumping straight into the shower, making my coffee and heading to the gym/work, or spending some time with my youngest, before diving head-first into the day.

What is your first drink of the day? Where are you when you’re drinking it?

I make a double shot of coffee with MCT oil and a splash of almond milk in the kitchen.

What part of your morning routine makes you feel the best?

I spend 10-20 minutes meditating before I get out of the car at work. ‘Waking Up’ is the best meditation app I have found, after trialing quite a few over the years. Consistent meditation has been invaluable in helping me to monitor my thoughts, emotions and responses during the day. Sometimes, it’s the very best part of my day, so this remains a staple of my morning routine.

Describe your ideal morning

During the work week, it is up by 6:00am. Gym by 6:30am. Meditate at 7:40am. Office by 8:00am. On the weekend, I like to sleep until 7:00am, read, catch up on the news and then take my youngest to the beach for a swim.