What Successful People Do Before Breakfast

 "What Successful People Do Before Breakfast" by Laura Vanderkam is a concise guide focused on how successful individuals maximize their mornings to achieve personal and professional goals. Vanderkam emphasizes that the morning hours, before the chaos of the day begins, are an ideal time for productive activities. Here’s a summary of the main ideas and lessons from the book:

Book Summary:

1. Maximizing Early Hours: Vanderkam argues that mornings offer uninterrupted time to focus on personal goals, productivity, and well-being. Successful people understand that these early hours are prime for activities that require focus and discipline, such as exercising, planning, learning, and nurturing relationships.

2. Focus on Important, Not Urgent: The book suggests that mornings should be used for activities that contribute to long-term goals, which often get neglected during the day due to urgent matters. Examples include personal development, strategic thinking, and spending time with family.

3. Building Morning Routines: Vanderkam highlights the importance of building effective morning routines that reflect your priorities. Successful individuals use this time to engage in activities that align with their personal or professional aspirations.

4. Habits and Discipline: Establishing good habits during the morning requires discipline. The book emphasizes setting realistic goals and sticking to them consistently to build momentum.

5. Overcoming Common Barriers: Vanderkam addresses common excuses such as "I’m not a morning person" and offers practical strategies to help individuals shift their routines and mindset.

6. Time Management Techniques: The book provides tips on how to assess and rearrange your schedule to find more time in the morning. Vanderkam emphasizes tracking your time and aligning it with your priorities.

7. Examples from Successful People: Throughout the book, Vanderkam shares anecdotes and insights from successful people who have used their mornings effectively. This serves as inspiration for readers to re-evaluate how they spend their early hours.

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Key Learnings:

1. Morning Hours Are a Hidden Asset: Early mornings are often the most productive part of the day because they are free from interruptions. By waking up earlier and using this time for meaningful tasks, you can achieve more.

Example: Sarah, a busy executive, wakes up at 5:30 AM each day, giving her two hours of quiet time before her children wake up. She uses this time for uninterrupted reading and planning for the day ahead. By the time the office opens, she has already accomplished key tasks that align with her long-term goals.

2. Prioritize Self-Development: Use the morning to focus on long-term personal growth. Activities like exercise, reading, meditation, or learning new skills are great to accomplish before the workday begins.

Example: John, a software engineer, dedicates an hour every morning to learning new programming languages. Over a few months, this habit helped him advance his skills significantly, which in turn led to a promotion. If he had waited until after work, he would have been too tired to focus on learning.

3. Small Changes Lead to Big Results: Making even small changes to your morning routine can lead to significant improvements in your life over time. For instance, waking up 30 minutes earlier to exercise or plan your day can lead to better health and clearer thinking.

Example: Rachel, a marketing manager, starts by waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual and spends that time reflecting on her personal and professional goals. After a month of this habit, she finds that she is more focused throughout the day and has a clearer sense of purpose.

4. Energy Management: Recognize that your energy is often highest in the morning. Use this time to tackle your most challenging tasks instead of waiting until later in the day when your energy may be depleted.

Example: Michael, a writer, notices that his energy is highest in the early morning. He blocks out 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM every day for writing new material. As a result, his creative output increases, and he’s able to finish his book manuscript months ahead of schedule.

5. Track Your Time: To understand where your time goes and how to reallocate it effectively, Vanderkam recommends tracking your daily activities. This helps identify areas where you can shift your schedule to maximize productivity.

Example: Maria, a project manager, starts tracking her daily activities for a week. She realizes that she spends 45 minutes each morning checking social media. By cutting this habit and using that time to work out and plan her day, she becomes more productive and healthier.

6. Start with Intention: Begin each morning with a clear purpose. Planning ahead and having a structured routine ensures that you start the day with focus rather than reacting to the demands of others.

Example: Daniel, a small business owner, spends the first 30 minutes of each morning reviewing his goals for the day. He writes down the top three tasks he needs to accomplish before noon. This helps him start the day with a clear focus, ensuring he stays on track and doesn’t get sidetracked by less important tasks.

7. Exercise Discipline for Success: Discipline is crucial in building and maintaining morning routines. Start small, with one or two changes, and build your routine over time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Example: Jennifer, a lawyer, sets a goal to exercise every morning. She begins by working out for just 10 minutes each day. Over time, she builds this into a 45-minute routine. The discipline she develops in sticking to this routine helps her not only improve her health but also boosts her self-confidence.

8. Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for your mornings. Whether it's personal health, family time, or career progress, having a clear objective will keep you motivated.

Example: Carlos, a sales manager, wants to improve his client outreach. He sets a goal to contact five clients every morning before his day starts. This targeted approach helps him close more deals and build stronger client relationships, all before his official workday even begins.

9. Avoid Common Excuses: The "I’m not a morning person" excuse can be overcome with gradual changes to sleep and wake-up times, making mornings more pleasant and productive.

Example: Jessica, an artist, always thought she was a night owl. After reading the book, she decides to shift her bedtime earlier by just 15 minutes each week. Over a few months, she adjusts to waking up at 6:00 AM and discovers that her creativity flows better in the morning, leading to more productive painting sessions.

10. Invest in Self-Care: Don’t just use the mornings for work-related activities. Invest time in yourself—whether it’s meditation, enjoying breakfast with family, or reflecting on personal goals.

Example: Tom, a teacher, uses the early morning to meditate and have breakfast with his family before heading to work. This routine allows him to start the day feeling grounded and connected with his loved ones, leading to less stress and more emotional well-being throughout the day.

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Vanderkam’s key message is that success isn’t just about working hard but about working smart—starting with a well-structured morning routine that empowers you to achieve your most important goals.