What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings—and Life

By: Laura Vanderkam

Narrated by: Laura Vanderkam

Length: 1 hr and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Mornings are a madcap time for many of us. We wake up in a haze—often after hitting snooze a few times. Then we rush around to get ready and out the door so we can officially start the day. Before we know it, hours have slipped by without us accomplishing anything beyond downing a cup of coffee, dashing off a few emails, and dishing with our coworkers around the water cooler. By the time the workday wraps up, we’re so exhausted and defeated that any motivation to accomplish something in the evening has vanished.

But according to time management expert Laura Vanderkam, mornings hold the key to taking control of our schedules. If we use them wisely, we can build habits that will allow us to lead happier, more productive lives.

Drawing on real-life anecdotes and scientific research that shows why the early hours of the day are so important, Vanderkam reveals how successful people use mornings to help them accomplish things that are often impossible to take care of later in the day. While many of us are still in bed, these folks are scoring daily victories to improve their health, careers, and personal lives without sacrificing their sanity. For instance, former PepsiCo chairman and CEO Steve Reinemund would rise at 5:00 a.m., run four miles, pray, and eat breakfast with his family before heading to work to run a Fortune 500 company.

What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast is a fun, practical guide that will inspire you to rethink your morning routine and jump-start your life before the day has even begun.

©2012 Laura Vanderkam. (P)2012 Gildan Media LLC

Common sense is not so common.

I know what you're thinking - why should I read this book? Isn't it common sense to get up early and get a jump on the day? Yes, but common sense is not always so common. This book rang true for me in two significant ways:

1) Morning hours are the quietest. If you don't want to be interrupted, do it before everyone else gets up.

2) If you decide NOT to do it before everyone else gets up, don't be surprised when you can't do it later because those interruptions are flowing in.

Overall, I found this book helpful. Not because it taught me something new, but because it reminded me of important truths that, when followed, will enrich my life. Who doesn't want a richer life? Invest 1 hour and 4 minutes. You'll be glad you did.

Amazing book

I enjoyed every single moment It's giving answers for different questions in mind related to how to make most of your day. How to be more successful the importance of the first 90 min of the day and in ur work

excellent

I loved the way it was narrated, and the idea of a morning routine works for me

Good tips

I enjoyed this book. It was short and sweet, however there include excellent tips that I plan on implementing. I am in an executive position, have 2 young children, a commute and a traveling husband. This information was quite helpful and a good start to my plan to manage my time better. I highly recommend this book for busy women who feel there is not enough time to "nurture" each of these areas of their life.

Great info

Great information and I enjoyed the narrorators tone and pace of the book. Not too slow nor too fast. Book offers some helpful tips to implement her concept and references various successful people to give her theory credibility.

I'm now working on becoming a morning person!

If you could sum up What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast in three words, what would they be?

Get up early!

What did you like best about this story?

Facts supporting evidence, and ways to help change your life for the better.

What does Laura Vanderkam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her experience of having lived this mantra.

What did you learn from What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast that you would use in your daily life?

Go to bed early and get up early, eat less calories and get more done. I'm not a success story yet but I'm already getting eons of work done.

Any additional comments?

I think I'll listen to this book over and over.

My whole perspective changed!

This book will change your perspective with how you talk with others. Life Changing Read!

Ok for the price.

I got this because it was not expensive and it was relatively short, but did notice other reviews saying their was nothing too special about it's contents. I would probably have to agree. However, most of the time I was listening I was thinking that my wife would like to hear a few of these things. So, in my opinion, if you are an early riser already, you probably know how much you can get done in the morning. If you are not, maybe it will help encourage you.

I didn't particularly like how she read the book, but that was me.

Inspiring read/listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly recommended - helpful tips on making the most of your time and prioritizing your schedule to get the most out of each day. Some of the tips seem obvious, but hearing them explained through various examples makes it easier to apply them to your own life.

What about Laura Vanderkam’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed her reading style. I could tell she was passionate about the subject and that made it all the more inspiring and motivating. She makes you believe that you can improve your life through some fundamental changes to how we manage our day.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, we stayed in the car to finish it even though we had reached our destination!

Any additional comments?

Great author, lovely voice, and sense of humor. Would highly recommend!

Thought provoking if a little short

No completely groundbreaking ideas, but should help you think about how you use your time. Worth the listen.