Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
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
27 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
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 10
Nothing gets you out of bed like an important task or something you love to do.
You know the scene. The alarm starts ringing and you drowsily fumble in the dark to switch it off. All you want is a little more sleep. But mornings don’t have to be miserable moments of resentfully hauling yourself out of bed.
One way to make sure you start the day bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is to have an important task ahead of you.
Take MIT president Leo Rafael Reif. He sets his alarm for 6:00 a.m., but he’s usually already up a good 30 or even 60 minutes before it rings. Why does he forgo the extra sleep? Well, he wants to make sure he’s had a gander at his inbox before the day gets going.
That’s because MIT is a truly global institution. As its president, Reif needs to stay in the loop and make sure he’s up to speed on the latest developments. If he’s not up at the crack of dawn, he worries he’ll miss something important.
But you don’t have to be the head of a large organization to give yourself a good reason to jump out of bed each morning. Knowing that something you really care about awaits you is just as good of a boost once the proverbial rooster starts crowing.
Take a leaf out of author Caroline Paul’s book. She’s also an early riser. Like Reif, she’s usually up by 6:00 a.m. What gets her out of bed? It’s the chance to spend a couple of hours reading in peace before the rest of the world begins to make itself felt.
Reading isn’t just her bread and butter; it’s something she loves doing. Mornings are an oasis of calm in a hectic life, and it’s often the only chance she gets to engross herself in a good book.
New York-based street photographer Andre Wagner also uses mornings to pursue his passion. He’s usually out of the house no later than 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. It’s a great time to walk the city and capture the early morning light with his camera.
But there’s also a simple trick that’ll help you get a good start: don’t use the snooze button on your alarm.
The authors’ interviews with successful early risers showed that while 71 percent used an alarm, only 34 percent made use of the snooze function.
There’s a good reason for that. Grabbing a few extra minutes of sleep might feel like what your body needs, but in the end, you’ll feel more tired than if you’d just gotten up when your alarm first rang. Think of it this way. Lightly slumbering is akin to revving a car engine without putting it into gear; both activities are a waste of gas.
The most important tip, however, is to follow your own instincts. Experiment and see what works for you. Something that does the trick for other people might not work for you. If you realize it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to abandon it and try something else.
Want to see all full key ideas from My Morning Routine?
Key ideas in My Morning Routine
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
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
Categories with My Morning Routine
Book summaries like My Morning Routine
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
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
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- Do Breathe by Michael Townsend Williams
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- Elevate by Joseph Deitch
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- A Handbook for New Stoics by Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez
- Making Habits, Breaking Habits by Jeremy Dean
- Drive by Daniel Pink
- The 5 A.M. Miracle by Jeff Sanders