Dubai's millionaires share morning rituals that lead to success

Khaleej Times

01-08-2025

If you've ever paused at a bookstore drawn to a title like The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma or found yourself binge-watching CNBC's Millennial Money on YouTube, you're not alone. In a city like Dubai, where ambition and aspiration collide daily, the habits of the affluent often become a point of fascination. It's okay to admit we've all been curious about them.
Because here's what most successful individuals have in common: they play the same game. One rooted not in luck or inheritance, but in daily habits — rituals that sharpen focus, support the body, and create space for clear decision-making. Their mornings are not rushed, they are engineered for excellence.
With over 81,200 resident millionaires, including 237 centimillionaires and 20 billionaires, according to Henley & Partners' 2025 World's Wealthiest Cities Report, Dubai is home to an elite class of thinkers and doers. To understand what really fuels them, we turned to two Dubai-based self-made entrepreneurs who epitomise the lifestyle: Ali AlArif, CEO of World Padel Academy, and Layla Kardan, founder of Contrast Wellness. Here are some prized tips:
Don't hit snooze on that alarm
You'll never meet a millionaire who wakes up late and sluggish. Dubai-based CEOs we spoke to agree: the morning begins the night before — with intention. AlArif says: 'I'm up at Fajr time daily, no snooze, no excuses. I like to win the morning so the rest of the day feels earned.'
Similarly, Kardan, swears by gentler mornings. 'Wake up with the sun, not an alarm screaming at me.' Instead of jolting awake to a frantic iPhone buzz, they opt for softer cues — light-based alarm clocks, natural morning sun, or even their internal body clocks. The goal is waking up without anxiety, without resistance, and with clarity. The snooze button, as harmless as it seems, is the first micro-decision that sets you back — and successful people know that micro decisions add up to macro outcomes.
The morning hydration ritual
In the quiet stillness of early morning, before emails flood the inbox and meetings fill the calendar, the first gesture of care for many self-made millionaires is surprisingly simple: water — with intention. Hydration, when done right, is not merely functional; it's ritualistic. It awakens the body from its fasting state, replenishes cellular energy, and sets the tone for decision-making that is sharp, composed, and unhurried. In a city like Dubai, where temperatures soar to 45 degrees, but ambition is on the high, starting the day dehydrated isn't just ill-advised, it's inefficient. 'I start every morning with an electrolyte,' says AlArif. 'Especially with the weather here in Dubai, I tend to drink two to three bottles depending on how active my day is.' His routine is utilitarian, yet optimised — a clear nod to performance-driven living. For Kardan, hydration is equal parts nourishment and ritual. 'I ease into the day with either orange juice or mineral water mixed with honey and a pinch of salt,' she reveals. 'It gently wakes up my system, balances blood sugar, and helps keep stress hormones low.' A refined elixir for the body and mind — grounding, replenishing, and entirely befitting of a wellness entrepreneur who understands that productivity is a byproduct of inner balance.
Have a vision and plan the day
There's a quiet power in pausing before the pace of the world takes over. Most high performers in Dubai don't roll out of bed and dive into their phones. Kardan, for instance, begins her mornings by scribbling a few notes. 'I jot down three things: how I want to feel, how I want to show up as a leader, and what kind of energy I want to give that day,' she says. 'It's my way of checking in with myself before the world starts pulling.'
AlArif, on the other hand, carves out space for structure. His mornings begin after Fajr with a quiet cup of coffee and a moment to map the hours ahead. Planning, for him, is non-negotiable. 'I start my day by structuring everything ahead of time. Before any work, I move my body — that could be padel, cycling, gym, or even kayaking.' That physical reset, he believes, sharpens mental focus for the rest of the day.
Fuel with intention
When it comes to the first meal of the day, the age-old adage still holds true in 2025: 'Breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, and dine like a pauper.' Most self-made millionaires design their breakfast. For them, it's not about indulgence but building sustainable energy that lasts all morning, without the crash that caffeine or empty carbs often bring. Kardan keeps it simple, but strategic: 'My meals are warming, nutrient-dense, and focused on real energy: fruits, good fats, collagen, and quality protein. I support my minerals and thyroid health — no fasting or caffeine overload here.' AlArif, on the other hand, turns to Practical — a Dubai-based cloud kitchen that preps all three of his meals daily. It's a streamlined approach to nutrition that leaves zero room for excuses. As he puts it: 'Physical discipline is mental discipline.' It's that consistency that separates habit from hustle. Even global names follow suit. British business magnate Richard Branson, for instance, swears by a morning mix of muesli and fresh fruit — not flashy, just functional. Because no matter how tight the calendar, high performers eat like it matters.
Move your body, recover your mind
For Dubai's high performers, movement is less about aesthetics and more about staying regulated and energised. Kardan follows what she calls 'Movement + Heat' — rotating between light strength work, stretching, sauna sessions, and the occasional cold plunge, 'but only if I follow it with warmth, food, and rest'. It's her way of listening to the body without pushing it to burnout. AlArif, meanwhile, balances high-output training like padel, kayaking, and weightlifting with a recovery plan just as disciplined: cold plunges, weekly physio, wearable tracking via Whoop, and personalised supplements from Bioniq. 'We're under constant pressure,' he says, 'and recovery can't be an afterthought.' For both, movement is a daily non-negotiable — not just for the body, but to sharpen focus and sustain momentum.
Protect the moments that ground you
After a day built on structure and output, the most grounded leaders in Dubai turn inward — not by retreating from their ambition, but by reconnecting with the quieter parts of life that make it meaningful. For AlArif, that means unplugging completely, even if just for ten minutes, to sit and play with his children. 'No phones, no distractions — rather intentional stillness,' he says. It's a small but sacred pause that keeps his personal life in step with his professional momentum. He also finds calm in solitude, often visiting his favourite boutique cafés post-planning sessions to sit alone, away from meetings, just to observe, breathe, and reset. That sense of self-anchoring resonates with Kardan, who often takes a mid-day pause for music or reading. 'It keeps me feeling human and connected — not just productive,' she says, describing it as a soft check-in with herself before the day resumes.
Wind down, recharge for the next day
Many businesses don't fail from bad strategy — they fail because the founder burns out. Studies show 72 per cent of entrepreneurs struggle with burnout, and most admit it clouds judgement and impacts team performance. That's why wind-down rituals aren't indulgent — they're essential. For Kardan, that ritual starts in her infrared sauna. 'It helps me drop back into my body, sleep better, and leave the day behind,' she says. Unlike traditional saunas, infrared heat works deeper at lower temperatures, easing stress, boosting circulation, and helping the body detox gently. Her evening tool kit includes red light therapy for hormones and glow, fascia release to let go of tension, and the occasional cold plunge — always followed by warmth and rest. 'It's not about chasing stress,' she adds, 'it's about resilience.'