Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Starting your day off on the right foot, or more correctly with the right habits, can make or break your day. According to Forbes.com, morning people are successful people.

"Have you ever noticed that when your morning starts in a frenzy — snoozing your alarm, skipping breakfast, and rushing yourself out the door — the rest of your day seems to reflect that mood of chaos as well?" asks Melissa Eisler, author of "The Type A's Guide to Mindfulness: Meditation for Busy Minds and Busy People." Eisler, writing for The Chopra Center, says that when you form healthy habitual behaviors for the morning, you set up your day for success.

Here are eight simple habits that you can add to your morning routine now:

1. Get up early. Oprah Winfrey is a legendary high achiever who typically rises at 6 a.m. in order to be at her office by 6:30 a.m. Almost without exception, successful people start their day early.
2. Stay away from technology. If the first thing you do is check your smartphone or iPad for email, then you are already setting yourself up to be distracted. Make it a rule to spend the first hour of your waking day focused on the present moment.
3. Meditate. A morning mediation or prayer practice can make a huge impact on the tone of the rest of your day. Wake up a half hour earlier than you normally do and spend it in solitude. Some people use this time to set an intention for the rest of their day. Others simply take the time to breathe mindfully in and out to calm the nervous system.
4. Eat breakfast. According to Forbes.com, it's crucial to fuel your body for the tasks that lay ahead of you. It will help you maintain a steady focus throughout the day.
5. Prioritize your day. Place the most difficult hurdle at the top of the list and tackle it in the morning, when you are most rested and have the most energy.
6. Exercise. Getting your exercise early is a great way to kick off your day and even boost brain power, says Reader's Digest. Studies show that a morning workout also helps boost your metabolism so that you burn more calories during the day.
7. Dress simply. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, says that his famous dressed-down look is because he prefers to save his mental energy for major decisions and vowed to simplify his morning routine by always wearing the same outfit. Another option is to decide what you'll be wearing the night before and having your clothes ready.
8. Make your bed. A common habit of highly successful people is that they make their beds first thing in the morning. "Making your bed is a simple action you can take in the morning that makes you start the day feeling accomplished," says Eisler. "Taking charge and completing simple tasks will give you the foundation to take on more and more throughout the day."