The Series

Those moments between turning off the alarm and getting into our work routine can be the most defining 60 minutes of our day. Benjamin Franklin set a day's worth of plans by 5 am and Steve Jobs asked a simple question: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" Whether it's exercise, time spent with the family or simply enjoying a cup of coffee, our rituals are a reflection of us. So we've ventured out to discover how some of our most influential and fruitful peers get started.

Follow the action on Jacob's social media, @jacobsoboroff on Twitter and Instagram

My Morning Routine

Jacob Soboroff

Turn on your television or scroll through social media and you're likely to see Jacob Soboroff. That's because the MSNBC correspondent goes where the story is—from the heart of America's opioid epidemic and the coastal towns ravaged by hurricanes to Las Vegas in the wake of the horrific mass shooting. With a Bachelor's in Politics and a Master's in Political Theory and Philosophy from NYU, an eye for style, not to mention made-for-TV looks, he's making a name for himself in the established world of television news.

What's readily apparent when one sees him in action is that he's got a real feel for what people want to see and need to hear. And the persistence to coax it out of his subjects. His instant charm and sharp wit have him set up for a long, successful career in television and news, but he's the first to tell you that he puts his pants on one leg at a time too. Always on the road, we finally tracked him down to talk about how he gets the most out of his morning.

My Routine

I tend to get up early. When I'm home on the West Coast, it's usually around five or six, in order to stay on my New York colleagues' schedule. My wife and one-and-a-half-year-old son are up around seven or eight, so those first few hours give me a chance to catch up on everything.

I love going to bed early. I try to get at least eight hours of sleep, sometimes way more, unless I have to do morning TV at home or on the road.

It's my job to make the coffee. As soon as I'm out of bed, I'm quietly tiptoeing down the hallway (my wife would disagree) to put some water on for coffee. I grind the beans, and turn on MSNBC to catch the end of Morning Joe. I'll catch up on a little work on my computer until the little man and my wife wake up.

Black coffee, only. Personally, I prefer the pour-over method with Intelligentsia beans.

I keep it light for breakfast when I'm at home. Maybe a banana as I'm walking out the door or something. However, if we're on the road, I try to load up at a local diner before heading out. Usually something with eggs—breakfast tacos, if that's an option ...

Fighting dad bod is real. I try to work out in the morning as much as possible, otherwise the day and the motivation get away from me.

 

I'm not big on too many products these days.

The less I have to travel with, the better. Jason Schneidman cuts my hair, and he makes some of his own products—I think he puts surf wax in it or something. Then, I keep it pretty old school with classic green Speed Stick and some simple sunscreen when I can remember.

Organic
French roast coffee,
$15 by Intelligentsia

Six-cup
pour-over coffee maker,
$41.32 by Chemex

Ultra
facial moisturizer
with SPF 30,
$21 by Kiehl's

Speed Stick
deodorant,
$2.99 at
Walgreens

Brooks keyhole glasses, $310 by Garret Leight

Distressed suede
desert boots,
$130 by Clarks

Clockwise, from top left:
Organic French roast coffee, $15 by Intelligentsia; Six-cup pour-over coffee maker, $41 by Chemex; Ultra facial moisturizer with SPF 30, $21 by Kiehl's; Speed Stick deodorant, $2.99 at Walgreens; Brooks keyhole glasses, $310 by Garret Leight; Distressed suede desert boots, $130 by Clarks

Clockwise, from top left:
Organic French roast coffee, $15 by Intelligentsia; Six-cup pour-over coffee maker, $41 by Chemex; Ultra facial moisturizer with SPF 30, $21 by Kiehl's; Speed Stick deodorant, $2.99 at Walgreens; Brooks keyhole glasses, $310 by Garret Leight; Distressed suede desert boots, $130 by Clarks

My Daily Uniform

I'm like the cartoon, "Doug," when it comes to dressing. My closet is full of the same stuff: dressier clothes from (the late) Band of Outsiders where my wife used to work, and a bunch of T-shirts, jeans and chinos with way too many pairs of Clarks Desert Boots. For my job, I have to be ready to go at a moment's notice.