8 nighttime routines that Jocko Willink and 7 other highly-disciplined people swear by

In the military, we used execution checklists to ensure we completed every task on a mission. Make your list each night so you don't waste time in the morning identifying what you're supposed to do that day. Write down everything you need to accomplish in detail, including when you want to get out of bed in the morning, and organize your tasks in the order you plan to achieve them. Break down big projects into smaller steps so you can track progress — because things that don't get tracked don't get done.

— Jocko Willink, retired US Navy SEAL officer, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, cofounder of Echelon Front, partner in Origin USA, and host of the top-rated "Jocko Podcast"

I try to relax after dinner to prepare myself for bed. Unwinding leaves space for curiosity, ideas, and innovation. I might help my kids with homework, call a friend, catch up on a show, and breathe. I take care of anything that I meant to do earlier and check email for pressing matters, lowering the chances I'll wake up to something urgent. Then I prepare for what's on my schedule the next day. If I'm not wound down enough to sleep by 9 p.m., I'll read or snuggle with my dogs. As a morning person, I go to bed by 10 p.m. so I can be my best self, ready to tackle my toughest projects in the morning when my energy is at its peak.

— Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint Inc.; creator of The Kara Network, a digital resource for entrepreneurs; and host of the "Unstoppable" podcast; follow Kara on Twitter and Instagram

A good night's sleep starts with your environment. A sleep doctor once told me that your bedroom should be for sleep and sex, nothing else. This rule alone can improve your sleep — and the better you sleep, the better you perform. Ensure your bedroom is clean, peaceful, dark, and cool, with décor, a mattress, and sheets you love. I even hired a feng shui consultant to align my environment with my energy needs.

My nighttime routine includes reviewing tomorrow's agenda and documenting any lingering to-dos. I like to drink warm turmeric golden milk or Sleepytime tea before bed. CBD is also fantastic for relaxing and enhancing sleep. At my bedside, I keep an inspirational daily devotional that inspires peace, calm, and gratitude. I also use the Calm app for a guided sleep story or meditation and use a white-noise machine.

— Shaun Rawls, founder and CEO of Rawls Consulting; built The Rawls Group of Keller Williams to over $4 billion in annual sales; author of the upcoming book "'F'-It-Less"; connect with Shaun on Facebook and LinkedIn

About eight years ago, I was having a tough time with my business and working in a high-stakes environment. I would wake up at 3 a.m., anxious about money, deals, clients — you name it. My wife bought me an appreciation journal and told me to write down five things that I appreciated every night. I was skeptical, but she insisted. So I started with five things — some big, most of them small — and soon was writing a page a night. It takes five minutes and has changed me significantly. I always feel better when I'm done, as I realize how much I have, how lucky I am, and what great people surround me. This exercise taught me that life isn't happening to me — I'm creating it. I've never slept or felt better.

— James Mansfield, founder and CEO of JGMansfield and West Village General Contracting; connect with James on LinkedIn and Instagram

Before bed, I shut down all electronics and put them out of reach. I keep a pen and paper next to my bed to capture ideas in the middle of the night. I try to go to sleep at the same time each night, so my mind and body know when to unwind and relax. If I find myself tossing and turning, I do some deep breathing to calm myself and center my thoughts. If that doesn't work, I get out of bed or read, but I try not to turn on the TV.

Once I created positive sleep habits, I saw a vast improvement in my performance and ability to fall asleep. Quality sleep impacts everything from our motivation to our immune systems. Some sports teams even require players to get at least nine hours of sleep — that's how important it is.

— Gail Corder Fischer, cofounder and executive vice chairman of Fischer & Company, a leading global corporate real estate firm that provides consulting, brokerage, and technology solutions

A hot shower helps mark the end of a long day. Before bed, I also sit with a pen and paper and make a to-do list for the next day. There is something peaceful about lighting a candle, sipping tea, and writing on a piece of paper without my phone or Asana management app nearby. Having that to-do list gives me peace of mind knowing I have a plan to make the next day a productive one.

— Laurence Girard, founder and CEO of Fruit Street

I've gone from a childhood life of humble beginnings to running a multimillion-dollar empire, and one thing has stayed with me through it all: gratitude. Whether I'm showering or eating a bedtime snack, I create space to say "thank you" before bed. Every evening, give yourself the gift of grateful reflection. Meditate on things you're thankful to have in your life, and write down three to five things you're grateful for from the day. Consider getting a gratitude journal.

Gratitude is a lighthouse to your next breakthrough. We move toward whatever we focus on. Gratitude creates positivity, shifts your focus, and impacts your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. It shows you that whatever you're going through will pass, and you'll emerge victorious.

— David Imonitie, investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Believe Nation, a private, free community and achievement platform to help inspire other entrepreneurs to reach their goals; connect with David on Facebook and Instagram

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