It’s a common saying that some of the most successful entrepreneurs are usually early risers. And when you’re running a business, it may seem like there are never enough hours to get work done. In this series First Hour, we explore the morning side of creators and how they set themselves up for a productive day.
There’s nothing lucky about Peter Sullivan’s success. As the founder of Jackpocket, a lottery app that brings the vague and sometimes sketchy world of lottery tickets into the light of day, Sullivan has a history of looking where no else has been for success.
Today, as we’re talking about his daily routine, he says, that he’s proud of the fact that he skateboards at Chelsea Piers skate park or surfs at the Rockaways, and he’s able to get back to the office before anyone else is in. Sullivan gets a little deeper into the water with the rest of his morning ritual:
WeWork: Are you a morning person?
Sullivan: Totally, when possible. I love feeling like I’m cheating the rest of the world with extra hours in the day.
WeWork: What time do you usually get up?
Sullivan: If I’m surfing, then 5 a.m. If I’m skating, then 6 a.m.
WeWork: And what gets you up everyday?
Sullivan: I love knowing I have something active to do. I try to do something before work two to three times a week.
WeWork: What are your first thoughts when you get up?
Sullivan: Put on tunes, and pick out what outfits I’ll be wearing. I usually travel with a weekender bag full of three different outfits everyday. I never know where the day will take me.
WeWork: Tell me about your morning routine.
Sullivan: First thing I do is check my email and our company’s metrics. I’ll see if there any fires need to be put out. Next, I’ll check my Sunrise app to see what the day entails and then Any.do to see what’s on my task list. I always take a shower and shave if needed with tunes rocking from my Bluetooth speakers that follow me into the shower. Drink a NutriBullet shake, and then I pack my bag and hit the road. I’ll always grab a coffee en route from a local shop.
WeWork: What do you eat for breakfast?
Sullivan: NutriBullet shake with carrots, fresh baby spinach, frozen berries, one banana, a scoop of protein powder, and almond milk.
WeWork: What do you do during your morning commute?
Sullivan: I used to Citibike to work every morning from Brooklyn. I’ve recently moved to Crown Heights, which makes it a little harder, but I still try. Otherwise I’m going underground.
If I skateboard I head to the office and hop back on a city bike to Chelsea Piers. Have the skateboard on the rack in the front. If I’m surfing I’m jumping on the A to 67th street at the Rockaways. I take my surfboard right on the train.
WeWork: What’s your secret to not stressing out in the morning?
Sullivan: I take a look at my schedule the night before, and I’ll bust out a to-do list when things are on my mind. A bike ride always clears the head, but the best thing in the world is being in the ocean at the crack of dawn and coming into work with salt water in your hair. Love it! Stress killer.
WeWork: And finally, what does your ideal day look like?
Sullivan: Wake up early. Good surf. Get some design done, have the team kill it. Happy hour. Then a great bike ride home.
Photography by Lauren Kallen.