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Before Breakfast

The matchbox and the billboard

14 May 2026

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0.031 - 23.353 Laura Vanderkam

This is an iHeart podcast, guaranteed human. Run a business and not thinking about podcasting? Think again. More Americans listen to podcasts than add supported streaming music from Spotify and Pandora. And as the number one podcaster, iHeart's twice as large as the next two combined. Learn how podcasting can help your business. Call 844-844-iHeart.

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23.374 - 56.852 Laura Vanderkam

Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeart Radio. Good morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's tip is to have both a clear vision of your big goals and of the doable steps you'll take today to work toward them. Your goals go on a billboard you can't miss. The daily steps should be doable to fit on a matchbox cover.

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58.688 - 80.903 Laura Vanderkam

Today's tip was inspired by my before-breakfast interview with Daniel Coyle, author of Flourish and The Talent Code. In describing his daily routine, Dan said that in the morning, he writes notes on a 3x5 index card about, as he puts it, what the day might contain. He pointed out that there is not much space on an index card.

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82.045 - 113.394 Laura Vanderkam

You are not going to put 50 things on there unless you write really small. So he has to focus and prioritize. He says, if I can write today on a matchbox, what matters? This is such a good question. In the tiniest of spaces, only the highest priorities make the cut. When we have limited priorities, we tend to do them. So, we move forward.

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115.079 - 133.508 Laura Vanderkam

Dan said that the priorities that go on his index card are drawn from the various projects and task streams he's working on. This got me thinking about how intentional living requires a clear vision of both the big goals you're working toward and the steps you'll take today to move toward those goals.

134.39 - 160.533 Laura Vanderkam

Your daily efforts are focused so precisely that you can record them on a small matchbox or index card. Your big goals, on the other hand, could go on a billboard. They're easy to understand and keep your eye on, even if you're driving past at 60 miles per hour. So if you are trying to be more productive and intentional, consider how you might design that metaphorical billboard.

161.574 - 186.449 Laura Vanderkam

Your big goals need to be stated as clearly as someone might advertise on a giant sign on the road. You also want to post them somewhere that is hard to miss. That could be a sign on your bathroom mirror or the wallpaper on your computer. A note on your back door. This should be a place where they will catch your eye and serve as a reminder many times per day.

Chapter 2: How can having a clear vision of big goals help you?

188.092 - 217.117 Laura Vanderkam

Then, with the big goals as clear as a message on a billboard, you're ready to get granular and matchbox-sized about what you'll do today to move toward the goals. With clarity about the big direction where you're headed and the little steps you need to take to get there, you can make progress toward accomplishing what you want. In the meantime, this is Laura. Thanks for listening.

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218.319 - 253.48 Laura Vanderkam

And here's to making the most of our time. Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast. If you've got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach me at laura at lauravandercam.com. Before Breakfast is a production of iHeart Media. For more podcasts from iHeart Media, please visit the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

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263.517 - 284.958 Robert Smigel

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy. Not quite. On Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guests, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an acapella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

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285.138 - 287.084 Robert Smigel

Those people are starving for banter.

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Chapter 3: What daily steps should you take to achieve your goals?

287.284 - 294.083 Robert Smigel

Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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294.104 - 308.657 Emily Abadi

Life is full of hurdles, so how do you keep going? On Hurdle with Emily Abadi, we're talking with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions, about the challenges that shape them and the mindset that keeps them moving forward.

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308.958 - 315.833 Laura Vanderkam

At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world, like I can do anything. I can do anything.

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315.813 - 321.592 Emily Abadi

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abadi on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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321.612 - 329.097 Laura Vanderkam

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.

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