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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
My Morning Routine summary
Benjamin Spall
Michael Xander
How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired
39 mins
Brief summary
My Morning Routine by Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander is a guide that shares insights from successful individuals on how they start their day, and provides practices and ideas to create a morning routine that energizes and sets up for a productive day ahead.
Table of Contents
My Morning Routine
Summary of 10 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 10
Nothing gets you out of bed like an important task or something you love to do.
Picture this: It's 5:30 in the morning. The room is still dark. What do you do? Well, most of us likely roll over, close our eyes and sleep until a less ungodly hour.
But not Leo Rafael Reif, the president of MIT. At 5.30 AM, he is already awake, not because his alarm went off, but because he chose to be.
Now, before you think, "Well, of course he's up early, he's running one of the world's top universities," let me tell you what's really happening here. Reif doesn't drag himself out of bed through sheer discipline. He's not gritting his teeth and forcing himself to be productive. He's up because MIT is a global institution, and while he's been sleeping, colleagues and students on the other side of the world have been working, sending emails, making decisions. If he waits until 7:00 a.m. to check in, he's already behind. The stakes are real, and that pulls him out of bed more effectively than any alarm ever could.
Here's what I want you to remember: Reif has given himself a compelling reason to get up. It's not about willpower. It's about purpose.
Now let me introduce you to someone completely different. Caroline Paul is an author, and she also wakes up around 6:00 a.m. But she's not checking emails or managing a global institution. She's doing something much simpler, she's reading. Just sitting quietly with a book and a cup of coffee, completely absorbed in someone else's story.
Why does this get her out of bed? Because reading isn't just her job, it's her joy. Those early morning hours are sacred to her. It's the only time of day when the world is still quiet, before the phone starts buzzing and the demands start piling up. She's not sacrificing sleep; she's claiming something precious.
And then there's Andre Wagner, a street photographer in New York City. He's out the door by 7:00 or 7:30 a.m., camera in hand, walking the city streets. He's chasing something specific: that particular quality of early morning light, the way it hits the buildings, the way the city looks before it fully wakes up. For him, mornings aren't about productivity in the traditional sense. They're about capturing something beautiful that only exists in those fleeting hours.
Do you see the pattern forming here? These aren't people who've mastered some superhuman ability to ignore their body's desire for sleep. They've simply found something that matters more than those extra 20 minutes under the covers.
Now, let's talk about what doesn't work, and this is where it gets interesting. When the authors interviewed dozens of successful early risers, they found that 71 percent used an alarm clock. No surprise there. But here's the kicker: only 34 percent used the snooze button.
Think about what the snooze button actually does. You're telling your body, "Okay, we're waking up now... just kidding! Back to sleep... wait, no, now we're really waking up... actually, five more minutes..." It's like revving a car engine without putting it in gear. You're burning energy, but you're not going anywhere. And worse, you end up feeling more tired than if you'd just gotten up the first time.
So here's the next important insight I want you to take away from this: The secret to getting out of bed isn't found in alarm strategies or sleep hacks. It's found in the answer to one simple question: What's waiting for you when you wake up?
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What is My Morning Routine about?
Based on the authors’ interviews with 64 of today’s most successful people, My Morning Routine (2018) is a practical guide for would-be early birds. Yes, it’s easy to live in fear of your alarm clock and worship at the altar of your phone’s slumber function, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Mornings don’t need to be traumatic at all. What’s more, finding the right routine for the early hours will change your whole day for the better.
My Morning Routine Review
My Morning Routine (2018) explores the morning rituals of successful individuals and provides practical insights on how to start your day with intention. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with actionable strategies, it offers a blueprint for designing your own morning routine to optimize productivity and well-being.
- Through authentic interviews and anecdotes, the book offers a glimpse into the morning rituals of high achievers, sparking inspiration and motivation.
- With its wide range of perspectives, from CEOs to artists, the book caters to different lifestyles and provides adaptable routines for everyone.
Best quote from My Morning Routine
An alarm, in most situations, is a signal that something is not right. – Arianna Huffington
—Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander
Who should read My Morning Routine?
- The sleep-deprived
- Ambitious self-starters looking to boost their productivity
- Parents struggling to adapt to a new morning routine
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My Morning Routine FAQs
What is the main message of My Morning Routine?
The main message of My Morning Routine is the importance of establishing a structured morning routine to optimize productivity and well-being.
How long does it take to read My Morning Routine?
The reading time for My Morning Routine varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is My Morning Routine a good book? Is it worth reading?
My Morning Routine is a valuable read for those seeking to improve their daily habits and make the most of their mornings. It provides practical insights and inspiration in a concise format.
Who is the author of My Morning Routine?
The authors of My Morning Routine are Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander.
What to read after My Morning Routine?
If you're wondering what to read next after My Morning Routine, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
- Do Breathe by Michael Townsend Williams
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- The Fine Art Of Small Talk by Debra Fine
- Drive by Daniel Pink
- The Body by Bill Bryson
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick M. Lencioni
- All In Startup by Diana Kander
- Super Human by Dave Asprey
- Lateral Thinking for Every Day by Paul Sloane