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

Good Ideas

Ok, here's my problem. As soon as my eyes open, I only have one thing on my mind: Where's the food! So my pre-breakfast productivity is at a startling low. I am feeling guilty. I already get up at 5:30, but I don't get the exercise in. I need to start doing it, but then I need to start doing a lot of things. I enjoyed this book, but there wasn't a lot new in it. I love getting up early and getting a lot done, but then, I also love staying up late and sleeping in when I can. Which should I do? I guess I stay up too late too often because I am not that successful, at least not in monetary terms. (more guilt)

This author reads her own book. I have heard worse, but it would have been much better if she had hired a professional reader.

Informative and new ideas!

Would you consider the audio edition of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure.

Would you be willing to try another book from Laura Vanderkam? Why or why not?

I think her narration is good for her own book as she explains what she has learned about early risers and getting her message across, however I wouldn't really listen to the pace of this narration on another book most likely. I am really surprised at some of the *one* stars people give narrators that I think are very good. I can only guess these people are born angry and like sharing their griefs that have nothing to do with the product they just purchased.

Wonderfully Read and Thoughtfully Worded!!

It was the narrator's voice that caused me to purchase, informative and delightful overall. I will listen to more from this author.

solid advice, but you already guessed it

the advice of this book is excellent but I'm sure you have already guessed that it focuses around using your time to do things like exercise and plan your career. they obviously going to a good amount of detail about the different kinds of things you can work on but there are no surprises. The biggest benefit I got from this book was simply hearing it and having it give me motivation to actually take action. I have started to put these habits into use and I already feel an unbelievably amazing change in my life. I'm sure you will too if you give it a shot!

Wake up early!

Would you recommend What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast to your friends? Why or why not?

In summary, this book tells you not to be lazy. To wake up early in the morning and get personal tasks accomplished before starting the work day.

It Gets a Bit Repetetive

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I wish the book didn't keep repeating the same ideas.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I wouldn't change anything to make it more enjoyable

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked that she included real life people as her examples of what was possible to do in the morning. Not just high-flyers, but the average person in the trenches.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I don't know how it could be a movie.

Any additional comments?

I wish it would have helped me figure out how to motivate myself better in the morning. I know I CAN do more, but I have a hard time getting the motivation to do it.

Good Message, Easy Listen

Useful advice. Would recommend to a friend! Easy short listen that I can refer to time and again.

Nothing new here

Is there anything you would change about this book?

There just wasn't any new or insightful information in this book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The book just ends.

What three words best describe Laura Vanderkam’s performance?

Pleasant, nice inflection

What did you take away from What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast that you can apply to your work?

Nothing - I already do all of the things she recommended.

good quick read

narrator does a great job, easy to listen to and comprehend at one point five times speed. give some great ideas and motivation for getting up early and why you need to do it.

It Just Makes Sense!

What made the experience of listening to What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast the most enjoyable?

This book was written with a great deal of thought and a touch of humor.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything the author said made sense and was totallly "do-able".

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

I would have liked to listen to every last word of this book before removing my headphones.