The 5 am club

The 2
x
3
x 
Mindset
: to double your income and impact, triple your investment
in two core areas—your personal mastery and your professional capability.”
“Love it,” the artist said as he scratched his flabby belly. Then he picked
at a decrepit toenail.
“Mr. Riley understood, early on, that to rise to world-class, you need
world-class support. We’ve become fantastic friends over the years. We’ve
shared tremendous joys together, like five-hour-long lunches with palm heart
salad, fresh grilled prawns and excellent French wine here on this private
beach of his.”
The Spellbinder stretched his arms into the air. He looked over at the
mighty mountains. He remained silent for a few moments.
“And we’ve experienced deep sorrows together as well, like the time my
buddy got sick with cancer just after his fiftieth birthday. He appeared to have
everything a man could desire. But without his good health, he realized he
had nothing. That one changed him. Health is the crown on the well person’s
head that only the ill person can see, you know? Or, as one tradition says,
when we are young we sacrifice our health for wealth and when we grow old
and wise we realize what’s most important—and become willing to sacrifice
all our wealth for even one day of good health. You never want to be the
richest person in the graveyard, you know.
“He beat it, though,” The Spellbinder quickly added, staring at the noisy
tourists partying on the catamaran. “Just like he defends himself against

---

everything that tries to defeat his dreams. Stone’s an amazing guy. I love him
like a brother.
“Well, look, it really has been good to meet you both,” The Spellbinder
continued. “I heard you were coming. Mr. Riley’s tremendously excited to
share what he promised he’d share with you about reaching maximum
productivity, sustaining exceptional performance and creating a life you love
by coding in a superior morning routine. I’m pleased he’s paying it forward
and sharing what I, as his mentor, taught him. You’ll love all the insights and
learning models that will soon be coming your way. The 5 
AM
Club will be
revolutionary
for you both. I know it sounds strange and unbelievable, but
being exposed to the methodology Stone is about to teach you will cause
outstanding shifts deep within you. Just being around the information will
awaken something special in you.”
The Spellbinder put on his chic sunglasses.
“Anyway, Mr. Riley asked me to tell you to make yourselves at home here
over the next few days. You won’t see a lot of me because I’ll be snorkeling,
sailing and fishing most of the time. Fishing is one of the things I most love to
do in life. I come down to Mauritius not only to coach the great and kind soul
you’ll soon meet, I show up here to regenerate and get away from this
overcomplicated world of ours, flush with so many difficulties, damaged
economies, saturated industries and environmental decays, just to mention a
few of the factors that threaten to bring down our creativity, energy,
performance and happiness. I show up here to renew and refuel. Elite
production without quiet vacation causes lasting depletion. Rest and recovery
isn’t a luxury for anyone committed to mastery—it’s a necessity. I’ve taught
that principle for many years—yet I forgot it myself, and paid the price at the
event. I’ve also learned that inspiration gets fed by isolation, away from the
ceaseless digital diversion and mindless overcommunication that dominates
the hours of the majority these days. And, know too that your natural genius
presents itself when you’re most joyful. We get our ideas that change the
world when we’re rested, relaxed and filled with delight. This tiny spot in the
Indian Ocean helps me reaccess my best. It’s also a genuine sanctuary of
safety, staggering beauty and awesome gastronomy, with affectionate people
who still wear their hearts on their sleeves. I just adore the Mauritians. Most
still have an appreciation for the wonders of life’s simplest pleasures. Like
family meals or swimming with friends, followed by sharing a roast chicken
dinner purchased from the Super U, washed down with an ice cold can of
Phoenix.”
“Phoenix?” asked the artist.
“It’s the beer of Mauritius,” replied The Spellbinder. “And I must say that

---

I always leave the island one hundred times stronger, faster, centered and fired
up. I really work hard in my everyday life. I hope this doesn’t sound like
vanity, but I care so much about uplifting society and am so committed to
doing my part to reduce the greed, hatred and conflict in it. Coming here
remakes me. Reconnects me to what’s important. So I can go back and work
for the world. We all work for the world, you know? Anyway, you two have
fun, okay? And thanks again for coming to my seminar and for your positive
words. They mean more to me than you could ever know. Anyone can be a
critic. Takes guts to be an encourager. Being a high-impact leader never
requires being a disrespectful person. I wish more leaders understood this
principle.
“Oh, one last thing,” The Spellbinder added as he flicked some sand off
his camouflage-patterned surf shorts.
“What?” asked the entrepreneur in a respectful tone.
“Please be here on the beach tomorrow morning. Your training will begin
then.”
“Sure,” agreed the entrepreneur. “What time?”
“5 
AM
,” came the reply. “Own your morning. Elevate your life.”

---

Chapter 8
The 5 
AM
 Method: The Morning Routine of
World-Builders
“It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth and wisdom.”