Vanderkam’s book What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast is an absolutely gem of wisdom. It is a must-read for all writers in that it will show them how to track their time so that they are successful in their writing careers, at work, and at home. It can be so hard to balance our time effectively. We all have the same 168 hours a week to do as we want and need. But there are so many distractions and noise that we never seem to have enough time to do the things that we really want to do and enjoy. Time tends to evaporate away. One reason for this may be because we are wasting a lot of precious time doing things that will not make us feel more fulfilled, inspired, or successful. We just seem to do anything and everything, and before we know it the whole week is gone and we have nothing to show for it. This is why Vanderkam’s book is so important–it will show the reader how to plan her time carefully so that they are not always skimping for time and not getting to what is most important in our lives. To be most successful and to live the best life we are capable of, we must be able to manage our time wisely. I am a planner by nature. So, the planning aspects of the book were not new to me. However, what I found especially helpful and interesting about Vanderkam’s book is that she suggests that we plan our weekends too! Now that is a unique idea. How many of us would actually think of planning our weekend? I know I didn’t! I thought that planning my week was all that I needed to do. But when I reflected on her brilliant idea of planning weekends, I discovered that it was an absolute gem of wisdom—one that would transform anyone’s life if only they tried it. I find that weekends are a time when I waste the most time. And weekends fly by so fast that somehow from Friday at 5 pm and Sunday at midnight just evaporates. Many times, I am not even feeling rested or refreshed either. Sometimes, I am even more stressed out than before the weekend started. Vanderkam shows readers how to plan weekends so that they are the most refreshing and restful. Further, Vanderkam believes that to be most successful, we should develop six disciplines. We should mind our hours, plan, make success possible, know what is work (and what isn’t), practice, pay in, and pursue pleasure. By developing these disciplines, we will be much happier, fulfilled, and successful! Lastly, Vanderkam has a very helpful Appendix about how to do our own time makeover and 50 time management tips. The book is a gem of wisdom that will inspire all of us to write more and to be more productive in our lives. Irene S. Roth