
Before Breakfast
In each bite-sized, daily episode of Before Breakfast, host Laura Vanderkam shares a time management strategy or an answer to a listener’s schedule question. How can listeners make the most of their time, both at work and at home? The mission is to give listeners practical tools to feel less busy and get more done.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2024 • 5min
You can pivot
Discover effective ways to gracefully handle awkward questions and redirect conversations to more comfortable topics. Explore the balance between conversational focus and connection, with insights on maneuvering away from unwanted inquiries with finesse.

Jun 25, 2024 • 5min
Make invitations specific
Learn how to make friendships stronger by crafting specific and engaging invitations. Discover the importance of clear invitations in improving social connections and creating meaningful experiences together. The episode also features sponsors Citrus Magic and Puerto Rico.

Jun 24, 2024 • 5min
Look for context friends
In this podcast, they discuss the importance of finding friends who share common interests or activities. They also highlight the benefits of seeking friends with shared contexts rather than just looking for a single affirming friend.

Jun 23, 2024 • 6min
Second Cup: Build in travel time, even on Zoom
Podcast discusses the importance of incorporating breaks in virtual meetings to increase productivity and well-being. It highlights the benefits of taking breaks for physical movement, mental clarity, and energy levels. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of incorporating travel time when working remotely to maximize time and energy between meetings.

Jun 22, 2024 • 6min
Second Cup: If you can't work, plan
Learn how to turn low-energy moments into productive planning opportunities. Discover the benefits of prioritizing tasks and projects when you can't work. Get tips on setting goals, making lists, and planning for future events to boost productivity and motivation.

Jun 21, 2024 • 4min
If you're disengaged, clean the office fridge
Discover a four-step plan to regain motivation at work, with a surprising tip of cleaning the office fridge for a refreshed environment.

4 snips
Jun 20, 2024 • 5min
Keep score (of the right things)
Significance of receiving numeric feedback to measure progress and make improvements in various tasks for breakthroughs

Jun 19, 2024 • 4min
Introduce new constraints
Explore the power of new constraints to break bad habits and achieve breakthroughs, inspired by Scott H. Young's book and Tiger Woods. Learn how imposing constraints can spark creativity and innovation, like changing a story's main character. Embrace challenges to pave the way for progress and make the most of your time.

Jun 18, 2024 • 5min
Let your ideas ripen
Learn about the importance of letting your ideas mature before acting on them, inspired by successful individuals like Thomas Edison. Embrace idea development and explore the world while keeping a collection of evolving ideas for future success.

Jun 17, 2024 • 4min
Ask for stories, not advice
Learn from expert stories to gain valuable insights and knowledge. Understand the choices experts made for a more impactful learning experience.