The 4% Fix: How One Hour Can Change Your Life

Karma Brown

Dec 2020 · HarperCollins Publishers · Narrated by Ann Marie Gideon

About this audiobook

How to find guilt-free time for what you really want to do, and why it matters

• Do you feel like you’re always busy, even as your to-do list continues to grow?
• Do you think you can’t keep up as it is, let alone add another thing to your plate?

An award-winning journalist, avid reader and new mom, Karma Brown dreamed of writing her first novel. But between diapers and tight deadlines, how could she? Like so many of us, she felt stretched taut and hyper-scheduled, her time a commodity over which she had lost control. For Brown, the answer to this problem was to rise earlier every day and use that time to write. Although she experienced missteps along the way, after committing to her alarm clock and an online community of early risers, she completed a debut novel that became a national bestseller.

In The 4% Fix, Karma Brown reveals the latest research about time management and goal-setting and shares strategies that have worked for her as well as for others. Refreshingly, her jargon-free approach doesn’t include time-tracking spreadsheets, tips on how to squeeze in yoga exercises while cooking dinner, or methods that add bulk to those never-ending lists.

How will you use this one hour—only 4% of your day—to change your life?

 

Ratings and reviews

Do Something For You Audiobook Review I'll admit I'm a total night owl. In fact, I love that nursing (my profession) has a night shift where that always needs workers! Though I am currently working days, I don't think I could ever see myself as a morning lark, which the author pushes strongly for in this book. I am lucky I have no other commitments than work, so on my off days, I can choose to order my day as I like or as needed. The author certainly got me thinking about how to make the best use of an early hour on those off days. You don't have to set your alarm an hour earlier, as the author recommends throughout the book, to reap the benefits of the ideas in the book. Rather, choose an early hour to work on a project that interests you (and preferably something motivating and enjoyable), like preparing for a race or writing a book. Always had something you wanted to do but didn't think you had the time? Carve out an hour for yourself to make it happen. The author is a strong fan of waking up an hour early to do so. She talks about her own experience and even a bit of cognitive and sleep science. The book is friendly and conversational. It certainly got me thinking about how I spend the early part of my day on my days off—because nothing is going to happen for me on a 12-hour workday except sleep, eat, and work. If you've ever wanted to make time for yourself or a pet project a priority, this book will cheer you on and give you actionable ideas to make it work for you. I received a free copy of this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

About the author

KARMA BROWN is the bestselling author of five novels including the #1 national bestseller A Recipe for a Perfect Wife. A National Magazine Award–winning journalist, she has been published in SELF, Redbook, Today’s Parent, Best Health, Canadian Living, Chatelaine and other magazines. Karma Brown lives just outside Toronto with her husband, their daughter and a labradoodle named Fred. Visit her at karmakbrown.com.