What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

And Two Other Short Guides To Achieving More At Work And At Home

by Laura Vanderkam

4.5(383 ratings)

10 min read

Brief overview

This book shows how rethinking your mornings can transform your entire day. By using early hours to focus on priorities, you’ll discover how to better manage your energy, make time for important tasks, and nurture meaningful relationships. Expect an uplifting guide to creating a morning routine that fits your life and fuels your success.

Introduction

Mornings often slip away in a haze of rush and routine. Yet, when used purposefully, these early hours hold the power to shape the rest of your day. Imagine putting your most creative or challenging tasks before the usual demands of life crowd in.

Countless high achievers swear by the morning as their secret weapon. Rising early is about putting yourself on offense instead of constantly playing defense with your schedule. Even modest changes in your morning habits can spark profound results.

This approach does not call for strictly regimented 5:00 a.m. alarms or drastically reducing sleep. Instead, it focuses on structuring the early part of the day so you can consistently devote time to the areas that matter most: your career, relationships, and personal well-being.

Before diving into the specifics, consider one key idea: a calm, intentional morning has a ripple effect that impacts your overall mindset. By seizing these hours, you’ll discover renewed energy, clarity, and a sense of calm that sets the tone for the entire day.

Why Mornings Matter

Most people see early mornings as an extension of nighttime—a moment to squeeze in extra sleep before dashing out the door. In reality, mornings can be your best companion for success. Research shows that willpower is often strongest right after a good rest, making this time ideal for tasks requiring self-discipline and long-term thinking.

It’s not just about checking items off a list. It’s also about enjoying more focused hours. You can turn this calm window into time for exercise, brainstorming, or genuine connection with loved ones. Because fewer distractions occur at dawn, your productivity can flourish.

When you reclaim these hours, you also reclaim control over your day. Instead of letting outside demands chip away at your best energy, you invest in your personal goals and passions while you’re freshest. This flips a chaotic morning into the most liberating part of your schedule.

The morning is your blank slate, perfect for pursuits that get sidelined once the daily grind begins.

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What is What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast about?

Laura Vanderkam's book, 'What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast,' is a compelling guide for those looking to maximize the potential of their mornings. It explores how the world's most successful individuals harness the early hours to set the tone for the rest of their day. Drawing from the experiences and habits of high achievers, Vanderkam offers insights into how reimagining your morning can lead to increased productivity, better energy management, and deeper personal relationships.

The book is not merely about waking up earlier; it's about structuring those precious hours to align with your career and personal goals. Vanderkam weaves a series of practical strategies and habits into a narrative that speaks to professionals, parents, and individuals alike. By focusing on willpower as a renewable resource, the book encourages readers to tackle challenging tasks when their energy levels are at their peak.

By providing a roadmap to creating a morning routine tailored to one’s life, Vanderkam shows how the shift in routine can yield extraordinary long-term benefits. The book's impact lies in its ability to inspire change, helping readers reclaim time and transform their days into something more valuable.

Review of What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

Through practical advice and real-world examples, Laura Vanderkam's 'What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast' delivers a refreshing perspective on how to optimize your mornings. One of the book's strengths is its ability to blend actionable insights with relatable anecdotes from successful figures. Vanderkam does this while maintaining an approachable and engaging tone, making the book both informative and enjoyable to read.

Vanderkam excels at illustrating the benefits of early morning routines through different lenses—the professional landscape, personal relationships, and self-care. Her writing style is both crisp and conversational, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience. The clear takeaways are underscored by research showing that willpower and productivity are maximized in the morning. This offers readers a compelling reason to tweak their daily habits.

Synthesizing these insights into a cohesive action plan, Vanderkam encourages readers to visualize their ideal morning and make practical adjustments to their routines. This personalized process is a highlight of the book. For those looking to find balance and focus, this book comes highly recommended. It's not just a recommendation; it's a roadmap to achieving more with the time you have.

Who should read What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast?

Busy professionals seeking to boost productivity and manage their time more effectively.
Parents striving to balance family life with personal and career growth.
Young entrepreneurs looking for actionable ways to harness their mornings.
Individuals interested in personal development and habit formation.
Readers facing burnout or stress who want to improve their work-life balance.

About the author

Laura Vanderkam is an American author, speaker, and blogger known for her expertise in time management. She is a 2001 graduate of Princeton University and has written extensively on productivity and work-life balance. Her work includes "What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast" and other notable books such as "168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think" and "I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make The Most of Their Time." She has appeared on numerous television programs, including The Today Show and Fox & Friends, and has spoken about time, money, and productivity to various audiences.