The last time I checked, there are still only 24 hours in a day. One thing really successful people do is to squeeze the most out of those 24 hours as they can. For most of us, this means setting the alarm clock a little earlier each day, and getting a lot more done before we head off to the office. Just an hour or two extra in the morning can have a huge impact on achieving the goals you set for yourself.

1. Get an early start on the day

Every successful person I know wakes up and is out of bed bright and early. They know that to get a jump on the day, they need to take advantage of every minute they’ve got. It’s not coincidence that most top executives are up and making things happen well before 6 a.m.

2. Think big thoughts

I look forward to taking a shower every morning–not to just to wash up (though that’s a nice side benefit) but to think big thoughts. It’s true: researchers have proven that our best, most-creative ideas find their way into our brains while we’re taking a shower. It’s a combination of the neurotransmitter dopamine that’s triggered in our brains by the warm water, our relaxed state, and the distraction from our normal, busy self-talk that does the trick.

3. Check the news

The world is a very busy place, and it’s important to know what’s going on–and how what’s going on may affect your business day–before you get to the office, not after. Forget old-fashioned newspapers that are printed the night before. Plug into online news services or television cable news channels to get up-to-the-minute news that you can really use.

4. Check and send email

Checking and responding to your work email messages before you actually get to the office will give you a big head start on your workday. You can also send assignments to the members of your team and check on progress.

5. Set your top-3 priorities

The first thing I do after I get out of the shower is to check my list of priorities for the day. Do they still make sense? Have some faded in importance while others have emerged? Set your top-3 priorities for the day while you’re still at home, then work on them for the first hour after you arrive at the office.

6. Check in with your loved ones

Now, before you head to the office, is a great time to check in with your loved ones.What are the plans for the day? Do you need to be a part of them? If you have kids, then you’ll want to be sure that you’ve got school and other meetings and special events on your calendar.

7. Power up

Don’t forget to eat some breakfast–your brain and body need the energy to get you through the morning. According to nutritionists, this should include some protein (eggs, bacon, milk) along with complex carbs and fibre. Leave the sugary cereal on the supermarket shelf.

These little things can add years to your life.

The current average lifespan in the United States is 78.7 years, but there are more people living beyond 100 years than ever before.

What’s the secret of joining the 100+ club?

That question was asked by a group of scientists from a Scandinavian University. To find the answer, they spent 50 years monitoring over 850 men born in 1913, and then studied the seven men that lived to be over 100 years old.

A new paper published in Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal teased out the commonalities of those men who surpassed 100 years old, and the differences that set them apart from their peers. 

The results are basically a how-to guide for extending life.

1. Don’t smoke

This one is incredibly obvious. Doctors have known for over 60 years that smoking causes lung cancer. Heart disease, hypertension, stroke and oral disease are just a few other maladies that can be brought on by smoking.

If you want to live to a ripe old age, quitting smoking is a fantastic first step.

2. Have a good socioeconomic standing

No, the money isn’t used to bribe St. Peter to give you more time here on Earth.

The study found those who lived past 100 had higher rent or mortgage payments, and this affluence was connected to their ability to seek top-notch healthcare.

3. Have an old mom

This one isn’t really something you can control, but the study found having a mom who lives to an old age is a good sign you will too. However, longevity was not connected to the father’s age as much as the mother’s.

4. Maintain high cognitive function

Keeping a sharp mind can stave off the effects of dementia, contributing to both quantity and quality of life. Read books, do puzzles, and keep your mind active throughout a lifetime, and it will really pay off in your golden years.

5. Maintain a healthy weight and have good posture

All of the participants in the study who lived past 100 were on the thin side and had good posture. Being overweight is connected with diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and cancer, which can all cut life short.

Wanting to exercise and eat healthy doesn’t have to be a body image issue, it can be done to increase the amount of years your fabulous self is around.

6. Use a walker when you need one

As individuals age, falling becomes a more ever-present risk. In fact, falling, that causes subsequent injuries, is the number one cause of death among seniors. It can also cause a number of other injuries, which are more damaging than if they occurred in the person’s younger years.

Those prideful seniors who opt not to use aides, should remember walkers are a great way to keep them safe and get them closer to that 100 year mark.

7. Wear glasses

A person who wears glasses is likely to go in for eye exams frequently, giving them more chances to spot ocular disease early. Additionally, better vision reduces the number of accidents individual cause, particularly in motor vehicles.

If you’re thinking that you’re years away from having to deal with any of these issues, just remember that making simple changes now will pay off later when you’re the hottest 100-year-old on the block.