i sometimes drink a single cup of tea in the morning now, but back when i was pushing hard, i would just buy cold brew concentrate and drink an espresso-sized amount in the morning. it was very effective at jump-starting the day and was strong enough that i didn't ever feel the need to keep consuming. it wore off by noon and that's when i would break fast and get some lunch. then i'd do non-demanding tasks in the afternoon.

i think a lot of people drink cups and cups of coffee because the first one just isn't strong enough. get a strong buzz first, get your shit done, and then let it coast down. probably why many europeans start with a strong espresso and asians drink less-caffeinated tea throughout the day. drinking coffee all day long seems like a solution in search of a problem.