Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Easy message of prioritize one hour a day (4% out of the day) for your own personal goals. Wake up at 5 am to fit in the time. 

I have no interest in waking up that early but I will start going to bed a bit earlier and set an alarm. Also I have been trying to figure out what my next project to focus on will be and this book had me contemplating ideas.

Ann Marie Gideon did an excellent job narrating the book.

I really enjoyed this book. Karma has me convinced I need to at least attempt to get up at 5am to start my day and to get my creativity juices flowing. I have always wanted to write a book and after the stories Karma told of her friends/acquaintances passing, it is kind of scary to imagine not getting to accomplish something I have dreamed of doing. This book really though is for anyone who has or wants a hobby or time to make a dream come true. Give the 5am club a shot. I know I am.

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 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.

The 4% Fix: How One Hour Can Change Your Life by Karma Brown
Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon
Publisher: Harper Audio, HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Business & Investing | Self-Help
Release Date: 15 December 15, 2020

The 4% Fix is a practical guide on how to change your life with one hour a day by Karma Brown.

I am naturally (through lots of practice over the years) an early riser. I'm up at 4am each week day to complete my morning routine and get ready for work. While I didn't need this book to convince me to wake up early, it offers great tips and reminders to make better use of my time (doing something I want to do).

I really enjoyed the conversational style of this book. This was easy to listen to and the content was great! I have read many books on the topic, as well as attended conferences, and I have to agree that being up before the rest of the house has made my life easier.

I also enjoyed the narration. Ann Marie Gideon read the book with a pleasant tone and great pace. She made the book easy to listen to.

I'm so grateful to Karma Brown, Harper Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This is more than a book about "get up at 5 a.m. and it will change your life," and I believe it comes at a time where many are looking for guidance and order in their lives after this past year.
I retired two years ago, and until that point, I lived this highly organized, get up early, pack it all in a day. I'd found out years ago when my goals were to train for races and write a book that working full-time (and a part-time job for a few of those years) the only way to get my running miles in was to get up before the sun and run before work. I focused my late nights on writing. 

Then I retired. The saying "if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it" rings true. My life became unorganized, unfocused, because I had all day to get it done, right? That's where this book comes in. I no longer get up super early, I don't need to, but I needed focus and organization so I could continue with my life goals. The author has many excellent quotes and inspiration throughout the book, and here are some favorites I'm taking with me into my daily scheduling and goals: Your 4% time spent should focus on something FUN, something you WANT to do (specifically for your goals, dreams.) "A goal without a plan is just a wish" which is so true! You can't just say "I want to run a marathon, I want to write a book" (my goals years ago) without figuring out a step-by-step plan to get to that point, and be willing to put in the work to get there. The author mentions a Japanese term, Ikigai (pronounced Ick-ee-guy) which is a reason to jump out of bed each morning. That resonated with me once I retired. We all need a reason and purpose to our day. This book helps you focus on accomplishing the purpose you choose. If you are looking for inspiration to organize your day, help you achieve your dreams and goals, this is the book to help you get there. I listened to the audiobook of this, and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me the informative audiobook.

I was unable to listen to this audiobook because it would not fully download on my NetGalley app, even after multiple attempts. I would love to read this and will be requesting it in ebook format. I appreciate being approved for this title and hope to read it in another format.

I loved the information provided in this novel,  it made me really think and evaluate what I was using my time for.  I found the narrator talked really slow so had to speed it up, I also found her voice differed a lot from Karmas and would have loved to hear karama read her book.

If you think that there aren't enough hours in the day for you to be creative, or to dedicate yourself to something you are passionate about, let Karma Brown's The 4% Fix show you how to find the time without sacrificing your other commitments. This is not a book filled with jargon and spreadsheets—Brown provides her readers with a solid, practical approach that's infused with humour and personal experience.

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

We are all busy and overwhelmed by our responsibilities and daily tasks, and feel like we have no time or motivation. The 4% Fix is about finding an hour that is just for you to harness, to exploit, or to take on a project that you want to do. You may be wondering where you are supposed to come up with an extra hour when you are already feeling like you don't have enough time to accomplish what is already on your plate. Brown's solution is to wake up an hour earlier each day. She gets up at 5 a.m. to write all of her books and has been doing so for years. For Karma, it is the right time to carve out that hour that is just for her—it's pretty quiet at 5 a.m. For the sleep deprived, this sounds impossible and quite frankly, unappealing. But the idea is to find that hour, make it a habit, and dedicate it to yourself. 

Brown's cake analogy is that there are 24 pieces of cake, one for every hour of the day, yet in your life there are cake-loving people and everyone wants some. It’s delicious...I mean who doesn't love cake? And there are other things in your day like work, commitments, running errands, etc., that also take their slices. But quite simply, if you don’t serve yourself first, you will be left with just crumbs. Even if you take your slice and tuck it away for later, you still need to take that first piece—have your cake and eat it too! 

The 4% Fix is part how-to and part motivation. In a refreshing and gentle way, Karma shares the latest research about time management and goal setting, as well as what strategies have worked for her. Brown's first non-fiction project is enjoyable, helpful, and practical. It it is the perfect book to kick off your year and will help you be more productive, purposeful, and focused. One hour can change your life!

I received this book as an audiobook which has to be my favorite format for this genre of literature.  The narrator for this audiobook was wonderful and engaging.  While I don't tend to find much value in self-help type books I would say this one is less offensive than others.  Where other self-help type books will provide next to no direction this book provided many steps and hints to push the reader along their path.  I would recommend this book but especially the audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advance copy of this audio book.

I am not a fan of the narrator of this audio book, I found her voice to be lacking in intonation and excitement.  I had to listen to the audio book at 1.25% to make her seem a little bit more exciting.

I did however love the book!  Karma provides a lot of insight into her writing techniques and how she developed the habit of using the first hour of her day to accomplish her goals.  I like that this is not a preachy self-help book; instead Karma provides a lot of great information interspersed with whimsical stories about her own life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to find some time for themselves; whether you are looking to start a hobby, read or write a book, learn an instrument, or just relax this book is for you.

Karma Brown is a fabulous author. I’ve enjoyed some of her novels over the last few years. And I was surprised to see that she was publishing her first non-fiction book… and on productivity! As a certified organizing and productivity consultant, nonfiction author, and fiction writer, this one intrigued me. And it delivered! So many of the tips, research, strategies, and stories are ones I share with my coaching clients and audiences. And I love that the book was one part journalism and one part storytelling. Definitely makes for an engaging read. 

Karma explores how getting up one hour earlier per day (for her, at 5 AM), boosts productivity and helps you focus on the thing that you most want to do (for her, writing). One hour out of twenty-four is 4%. That’s were the term 4% fix stems from. 

Not everyone will be able to do the 4% fix. As Karma notes in the book, it’s a very simple approach, but that doesn’t make it easy. For those that use this as a reminder to find an extra hour in their day when there are the least distractions and interruptions, and to focus on something they truly want to do for themselves, reading this book will be time well spent.

Waking up early to "seize the day" or "eat that frog" are common themes from some of the most well-known motivational gurus. While Karma Brown leans on this same theme for The 4% Fix, the approach is entirely different and reengineered for those of us who just can't manage to set that alarm for the crack of dawn to get things done. Brown explains how we're competing against biology when we start off too ambitious with our attempts to add time to the day. She also addresses common psychological blocks that keep us from taking steps to increase our productivity. Once she covers examples of success and the possibilities available to us when we shift our mindset, we're off and running with inspiration.

Brown's insight into the science of sleep is most helpful in realizing why most of us are never been able to take the leap into early morning productivity, despite the clear benefits. She provides a step-by-step plan for easing into the concept until the alarm is set for at least a full hour earlier than we would typically rise. Her realistic account of why we can't hold ourselves accountable for unbridled success is perfect for anyone who needs a little "kick in the pants" to get moving.

A poor narrator can make or break my opinion of a book, and I'm happy to report that the narrator for The 4% Fix is the perfect match for the content. She's down-to-earth, lively, and animated without being condescending. That condescension factor is common with self-help books, but Ann Marie Gideon is an absolute delight. I only wish she could narrate every audiobook I listen to.

For anyone who can't quite get a grasp on why motivation eludes you, despite your best intentions, The 4% Fix is the perfect solution. You'll get a great deal of insight into your biological roadblocks and a plan for overcoming them and finding true success without feeling like you're sacrificing for the greater good. This might be the final book you need to take charge of your life and meet all those goals you've been setting that seem just out of reach.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to listen to the Audio Book. This was a nice easy listen while I multitasked around the house. Karma Brown is motivating in a realistic way. Karma breaks down the steps of successfully finding time for yourself throughout the day. Karma Brown makes a 5am wake up desirable and attainable. I will definitely implement the lessons I have learned from this book. I would recommend this to my friends and family as well as anyone else looking to take charge of their day.

I had the honor of receiving this audiobook through Netgalley, and it was life changing.

Yes, I know that getting up early can change lives. I actually did it for years, until I lost my drive, my why, and those nice warm blankets were way more comfortable than my dreams that seemed to just keep failing. 

But this book offered a way of looking at things differently. First off, I'm not a mom, but this works for anyone who wants to find more time to do what they love. It also offers a way to discover, or rediscover, what they love. For her, it's writing (for me too since I'm a writer), but this works for anyone who has any dream to live an extraordinary life to their fullest.  

It's not just about getting up early, though. It's about finding that extra hour, finding that why, that dream, and going after it. 

The narrator was so pleasant and inspiring as well. 

Recommended for anyone who needs to find that fix for their life, or rediscover the reason they need that extra oomph outside of their normal day.

I am always looking for ways to better manage my time, so when I was offered the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of Karma Brown's new self-help guide, The 4% Fix, I jumped at the opportunity.  While I consider myself to be fairly decent at managing my time, there's always room to improve, which is where this guide comes into play.  

In the 4% Fix, Brown suggests devoting one hour - 4% - of your day to a task or project you are passionate about and/or something you wish to accomplish.  You may be wondering where you are supposed to get this "extra hour" each day, and Brown has a solution that the sleepy sort may not like - waking up an hour earlier each day.  I actually implemented a similar system in my life years ago, waking up an hour earlier before work so that I would have time to get some reading in before heading off to my commute and job (I was always too tired after work to keep my eyes open.)  I must say that the strategy DID work, with me managing to beat my all-time reading record that year and leaving me filling more fulfilled and accomplished.  Therefore, I can affirm that Brown's 4% method does work, but it does require commitment and perseverance.

Also sprinkled throughout the book are other helpful tips and information nuggets about better managing your time and making the most of the life you are given. I found the 4% Fix to be quite helpful and eye-opening, and I am eager to implement some of the strategies suggested into my life (staying off my phone more being one of them!)

Ann Marie Gideon did a fine job narrating this nonfiction title, reading at a comfortable pace and tone.

There was an expression that stuck with me over the years. If you want to learn how to play tennis don’t go to a bowling instructor. When you want to learn how to manage your time with success, ask Bestselling author, Karma Brown.
 
Karma gets raw and honest on her journey to being a successful novelist. 
Spoiler alert: it starts with finding a reason to get out of bed in the morning. For her, it was to write. For those who have followed Karma for some time, you know how her battle with cancer motivated her to not waste a heartbeat with the days that are given. 
 
 
From the critical to-dos to the oxygen mask to the Vaseline incident and cake, Karma bares all. Given the year we all have slugged it through, this is the read to help you reset and just take 4% of your day toward your goals.
 
 
 
***Thanks to Net Galley, I was given the opportunity to listen to an advanced audio book for my honest review. I will be buying a hard copy for my reference library. ****

What can I say, I'm not a self help book person! And yet, this book totally shocked something in my brain! I loved how Karma explained her process and how to she established routines. I also think the advice is incredibly practical! Meaning if you take it you will likely see results!

Now the morning thing may not work for all. For instance I work from home and don't have kids. I can apply the 4% just about anywhere. But for a lot of people the morning start will be beneficial!

So from this skeptic to maybe others, when it comes to books like this, give it a read, it will probably surprise you!

Somewhat ironically, despite many of my friends enjoying and recommending @karmabrown's books, this non-fiction book about creating a special time in your day for yourself is my first book by her. The 4% Fix was available as an audiobook on @netgalley and I was delighted to download it and get to listening ASAP. Thank you for the ALC!

The 4% Fix is one of those books that I just need to read every once in a while to get a dose of motivation. Karma Brown discusses finding a sliver of your day (just one hour, or 4% of your day) to devote to something you REALLY want to do for yourself. Maybe this is writing a novel. Maybe it's learning an instrument or a new language. Maybe it's starting a blog or developing your current blog? She personally wakes up and uses the time from 5 am-6 am for her writing, which has evolved for her, and she definitely inspired me to do the same because I'm a morning person and I function best with quiet time in the morning. I just haven't QUITE decided which activity I want to do during my 4% fix. I've gotten on our new exercise bike the last few days just to get in the habit of being up a bit earlier but I have some ideas. I'm feeling inspired to make some changes after listening to this book.

Can you leverage one hour a day to change your life? Karma Brown, best-selling author of five novels and the new (non-fiction) The 4% Fix thinks so. When dealing with her young child, Brown found she was, like a lot of us, over-scheduled, over-stressed, and strapped for time she could use solely for herself. The answer? Set the clock for 5am and dedicate the first hour of every day to her writing. The result? A debut novel that became a national bestseller, and four more novels after that. The 4% Fix presents time management and goal-setting strategies that have helped Brown and many others find balance while pursuing bold dreams.

I saw a lot of myself in this book: a person pulled many directions professionally and personally, a woman with creative and career aspirations, and a mom willing to set life aside for carpool. While her conversational presentation and personal anecdotes kept things at a relatable level, Karma Brown did her research and provided the right amount of science to support her time management system. It's the perfect balance.

I'm going to say this first: This isn't a book only for writers. That said—hey, writer friends, this book is for you! Seriously, though, this is a book for multi-taskers who have bold goals that can't be accomplished in 10-minute increments and who need a nudge to try a new approach to knocking things off the never-ending to-do list. 

NOTES ON THE AUDIO: 
This is a conversational book, and the narrator comes across as accessible and friendly, like you're sitting at the table at Starbucks with your smart friend who's telling you about her latest life hiccups and how she used her superpowers to blow past them. I often find personal success books best in print, but I think The 4% Solution adapts well to audio. This means you get to save your print-reading time for other books (yay!) and be efficient by getting insight on how to capture time while you're exercising, driving, cleaning, or doing whatever it is you do when you listen to audiobooks.

This review is based on the audiobook. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing the audiobook for review purposes.

One-hour is only 4% of your day. Could that one-hour really change your life?

I believe the answer is yes! 

“The 4% Fix” by Karma Brown is a great reminder of how to motivate yourself into being successful with something you are passionate about, whether it is finishing that novel, creating muscle by lifting weights or learning to speak Spanish. 

Everyone has a dream of some kind and they probably think about it almost every single day. Instead of just thinking about it, what if you could achieve your dream in less than a year? Obviously, you need a good reason to get out of bed early. 

Karma says, “Dreaming about the thing, and doing the thing are quite different beasts!” She shares strategies throughout the book that demonstrate what worked for her and she gives different options of what could work for you. This book is more than just another time management and goal setting self-help book. I’ve been a morning lark forever, and a frequent visitor to the #5amwritersclub, so rising early to get things done is not a new idea for me. However, Karma introduces a fresh look at what you could be doing with that extra hour each day. 

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and Ann Marie Gideon did a great job. Her voice is so soothing, yet keeps your attention. The book is short, less than six-hours, so I listened to it multiple times. It was also quite educational for me, especially when it comes to acronyms I should already know, like BHAG, or whether I play for the Lion or the Dolphin team. My favourite part was the discussion on Ikigai and finding your reason. I also listened to Section 6 and 44 several times, because they resonated with me so much. I don’t want to spoil why, so I’ll let you read it and decide for yourself.

Overall, I loved this book! Finding the balance in your life is difficult enough, so when someone who has experience tells you her secret of finding success, you should take notes and follow through with her advice.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.