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Rewrite Your Rules: The Journey to Success in Less Time with More Freedom
Hustle culture is out, intentional living is in. Rewrite Your Rules empowers you to become the CEO of your life, revolutionizing your approach to success and fulfillment with this inspiring guide from the visionary founder and CEO of Blavity Inc.
Are you tired of the relentless grind? Ready to shatter the myth that you can "have it all" without sacrificing your sanity? In Rewrite Your Rules, DeBaun doesn't just challenge the status quo—she obliterates it. With the wisdom of a seasoned entrepreneur and the relatability of your most wise and honest friend, she offers a refreshing antidote to hustle culture. This isn't just another self-help book; it's a life-changing manifesto for the modern professional.
Imagine: Achieving more by doing less. Finding balance without losing your edge. Building a career that energizes rather than exhausts you. Through DeBaun's groundbreaking three-part framework—Master Yourself, Master Your Method, and Master Your Growth—you'll learn to:
Master Yourself, where we clarify your life’s true north and align your actions with your deepest values
Master Your Method, where we build a formidable system to transform the timeline of your most audacious goals
Master Your Growth, where we develop an unshakeable mindset to thrive in the face of any challenge
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a corporate climber this book is your roadmap to a more purpose-driven existence. Rewrite Your Rules isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter and living fuller. With actionable advice, inspiring anecdotes, and a dose of tough love, DeBaun guides you to create a life that's not just successful, but deeply satisfying.
Are you tired of the relentless grind? Ready to shatter the myth that you can "have it all" without sacrificing your sanity? In Rewrite Your Rules, DeBaun doesn't just challenge the status quo—she obliterates it. With the wisdom of a seasoned entrepreneur and the relatability of your most wise and honest friend, she offers a refreshing antidote to hustle culture. This isn't just another self-help book; it's a life-changing manifesto for the modern professional.
Imagine: Achieving more by doing less. Finding balance without losing your edge. Building a career that energizes rather than exhausts you. Through DeBaun's groundbreaking three-part framework—Master Yourself, Master Your Method, and Master Your Growth—you'll learn to:
Master Yourself, where we clarify your life’s true north and align your actions with your deepest values
Master Your Method, where we build a formidable system to transform the timeline of your most audacious goals
Master Your Growth, where we develop an unshakeable mindset to thrive in the face of any challenge
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a corporate climber this book is your roadmap to a more purpose-driven existence. Rewrite Your Rules isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter and living fuller. With actionable advice, inspiring anecdotes, and a dose of tough love, DeBaun guides you to create a life that's not just successful, but deeply satisfying.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 14, 2024
In "Rewrite Your Rules," founder and CEO of Blavity Inc. Morgan DeBaun fuels a world where hustle culture is out, intentional living is in and we all work smarter and not harder. DeBaun works from a three-part framework:
Master Yourself
Master Your Method
Master Your Growth
With Master Yourself, DeBaun takes us through a journey of aligning our actions with our deepest values. With Master Your Method, we begin building a formidable system to transform the timeline of our most ambitious goals to bring them to life. Finally, Master Your Growth empowers us to develop a mindset to handle any challenge.
Essentially, DeBaun is encouraging budding entrepreneur's and corporate climbers to lean into a more purpose-driven existence with action-centered advice and inspiration, corporate tough talk, and tangible accountability.
DeBaun builds this success on six pillars - money, freedom, stability, relationships, passions, and wellness. Offering ample tangible action steps and diagrams, DeBaun weaves together a corporate tapestry of inspiration and perspiration to help us build a journey to success involving, as the title would imply, less time and more freedom.
"Rewrite Your Rules" is ideal for corporate up-and-comers and early career entrepreneurs and CEOs while it's less likely to resonate with rank and file employees and established corporate leaders who've likely already established a personal leadership style that works.
A couple challenges I had with "Rewrite Your Rules" -
1) It seems like a good amount of these lessons were learned after DeBaun was successful. By the time she was practicing them, Blavity was well established and DeBaun was quite successful. So, for her, it was less about the "journey to success" and more about building a more satisfying and successful career as a corporate leader.
2) While DeBaun acknowledges her upbringing (ie, daughter of a successful physician), I'd have appreciated some reference to adapting this material to those who start with less.
3) A couple times, it seemed like "groundbreaking" was a bit familiar. For example, a section on weaving together work and life (not balance - integration) feels very Steve Jobs without referencing Jobs.
These are minor quibbles, really, for a book that offers clarity and tangible action steps for becoming healthier, happier, and more successful business leaders and entrepreneurs. For those on the way up or desiring to get that way, "Rewrite Your Rules" will prove to be a valuable resource for the journey to success or creating a healthier success.
Master Yourself
Master Your Method
Master Your Growth
With Master Yourself, DeBaun takes us through a journey of aligning our actions with our deepest values. With Master Your Method, we begin building a formidable system to transform the timeline of our most ambitious goals to bring them to life. Finally, Master Your Growth empowers us to develop a mindset to handle any challenge.
Essentially, DeBaun is encouraging budding entrepreneur's and corporate climbers to lean into a more purpose-driven existence with action-centered advice and inspiration, corporate tough talk, and tangible accountability.
DeBaun builds this success on six pillars - money, freedom, stability, relationships, passions, and wellness. Offering ample tangible action steps and diagrams, DeBaun weaves together a corporate tapestry of inspiration and perspiration to help us build a journey to success involving, as the title would imply, less time and more freedom.
"Rewrite Your Rules" is ideal for corporate up-and-comers and early career entrepreneurs and CEOs while it's less likely to resonate with rank and file employees and established corporate leaders who've likely already established a personal leadership style that works.
A couple challenges I had with "Rewrite Your Rules" -
1) It seems like a good amount of these lessons were learned after DeBaun was successful. By the time she was practicing them, Blavity was well established and DeBaun was quite successful. So, for her, it was less about the "journey to success" and more about building a more satisfying and successful career as a corporate leader.
2) While DeBaun acknowledges her upbringing (ie, daughter of a successful physician), I'd have appreciated some reference to adapting this material to those who start with less.
3) A couple times, it seemed like "groundbreaking" was a bit familiar. For example, a section on weaving together work and life (not balance - integration) feels very Steve Jobs without referencing Jobs.
These are minor quibbles, really, for a book that offers clarity and tangible action steps for becoming healthier, happier, and more successful business leaders and entrepreneurs. For those on the way up or desiring to get that way, "Rewrite Your Rules" will prove to be a valuable resource for the journey to success or creating a healthier success.
May 7, 2025
This was a solid business book. I think I went in expecting a different kind of book that built on Morgan's excellent "The Journey" podcast and took things to the next level. A lot of the book felt like introductory business advice (outline your goals and priorities, time block in ways that are aligned with those goals, delegate, etc.) when I was hoping for a higher level look into the life of a CEO. There were good points toward the end of the book where she talked about wanting to reset her life and prepare for the sale of Blavity which I wish she went into in greater detail. I would love to know about the actual mechanisms and process of preparing for sale, the process of hiring and knowing the right people to hire at the right time, etc. Basically getting tactical at a hire level of execution. That said there are gems in the book and I am so happy that I could support Morgan's brilliance in even a small way by buying this book.
April 1, 2025
“Rewrite Your Rules” isn’t just a book - it’s a bold fusion of memoir, motivational manifesto, and operational guide for anyone ready to live and lead on their own terms. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all path to success, DeBaun offers a refreshing, honest, and empowering framework for reimagining ambition, fulfillment, and freedom.
Drawing from her experience building Blavity Inc. into a cultural powerhouse, DeBaun invites readers to challenge inherited definitions of success, get clear on their values, and let go of outdated societal “rules” that no longer serve them. Her approach is deeply personal yet widely applicable, offering a rare blend of vulnerability and vision.
As I read, I found myself questioning the version of success I’d unknowingly subscribed to. More importantly, I began to ask: What does success look like for me - truly?
This book is thoughtfully divided into three parts - Master Yourself, Master Your Methods, and Master Your Growth - each packed with practical strategies and mindset shifts. Two standout frameworks particularly resonated with me:
The Purpose Principle: A clarifying guide for uncovering motivations that run deeper than job titles or accolades. DeBaun challenges readers to explore their “why,” not just their “what,” prompting reflection on core values behind our choices. In a world that demands constant motion, this framework helped me pause and realign with what genuinely matters.
The Six Pillars: A holistic model for building a balanced life, centered around Money, Stability, Freedom, Relationships, Passions, and Wellness. This framework offered the structure I needed to redefine success in a way that actually feels sustainable and aligned with who I am today.
Morgan’s voice is warm, candid, and no-nonsense - like that one friend who tells it like it is, but always with love. There’s no fluff here. Her storytelling is grounded and real, her tools actionable. I didn’t just highlight quotes - I took action.
What truly sets this book apart is its authenticity. DeBaun doesn’t posture as someone with all the answers. She shares her journey - the wins, the pivots, and the hard-earned lessons - with humility and heart. Her entrepreneurial story provides a powerful throughline, anchoring her insights in lived experience and making her guidance all the more relatable.
That said, if you’re looking for a data-heavy strategy or a tightly structured business framework, this may feel more inspirational than instructional. It leans into motivational coaching and mindset transformation more than analytics. But for those open to inner work and self-discovery, this book delivers.
In a time when many are re-evaluating what success looks like, Rewrite Your Rules is a timely, insightful read. It’s not just a book I enjoyed - it’s a resource I’ll be revisiting often as I continue to evolve, both personally and professionally.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC.
Rating: 4.5
Drawing from her experience building Blavity Inc. into a cultural powerhouse, DeBaun invites readers to challenge inherited definitions of success, get clear on their values, and let go of outdated societal “rules” that no longer serve them. Her approach is deeply personal yet widely applicable, offering a rare blend of vulnerability and vision.
As I read, I found myself questioning the version of success I’d unknowingly subscribed to. More importantly, I began to ask: What does success look like for me - truly?
This book is thoughtfully divided into three parts - Master Yourself, Master Your Methods, and Master Your Growth - each packed with practical strategies and mindset shifts. Two standout frameworks particularly resonated with me:
The Purpose Principle: A clarifying guide for uncovering motivations that run deeper than job titles or accolades. DeBaun challenges readers to explore their “why,” not just their “what,” prompting reflection on core values behind our choices. In a world that demands constant motion, this framework helped me pause and realign with what genuinely matters.
The Six Pillars: A holistic model for building a balanced life, centered around Money, Stability, Freedom, Relationships, Passions, and Wellness. This framework offered the structure I needed to redefine success in a way that actually feels sustainable and aligned with who I am today.
Morgan’s voice is warm, candid, and no-nonsense - like that one friend who tells it like it is, but always with love. There’s no fluff here. Her storytelling is grounded and real, her tools actionable. I didn’t just highlight quotes - I took action.
What truly sets this book apart is its authenticity. DeBaun doesn’t posture as someone with all the answers. She shares her journey - the wins, the pivots, and the hard-earned lessons - with humility and heart. Her entrepreneurial story provides a powerful throughline, anchoring her insights in lived experience and making her guidance all the more relatable.
That said, if you’re looking for a data-heavy strategy or a tightly structured business framework, this may feel more inspirational than instructional. It leans into motivational coaching and mindset transformation more than analytics. But for those open to inner work and self-discovery, this book delivers.
In a time when many are re-evaluating what success looks like, Rewrite Your Rules is a timely, insightful read. It’s not just a book I enjoyed - it’s a resource I’ll be revisiting often as I continue to evolve, both personally and professionally.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC.
Rating: 4.5
March 24, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Morgan DeBaun’s "Rewrite Your Rules" is a refreshing and empowering guide that challenges the conventional notions of success and offers a transformative framework for achieving fulfillment on your own terms. As the founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., DeBaun brings her entrepreneurial wisdom and relatable authenticity to this inspiring book, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to redefine their path in life.
The book is structured around a three-part framework: Master Yourself, Master Your Method, and Master Your Growth. Each section is packed with actionable advice, real-life anecdotes, and thought-provoking exercises that encourage readers to reflect on their values, align their actions with their goals, and adapt to life’s challenges. DeBaun’s writing is both practical and motivational, striking a perfect balance between guidance and inspiration.
"Rewrite Your Rules" boldly rejects the toxic hustle culture. DeBaun advocates for intentional living, urging readers to prioritize authenticity and purpose over societal expectations. Her insights are particularly valuable for those feeling trapped by traditional definitions of success, as she provides a roadmap for breaking free and designing a life that truly resonates with their passions and aspirations.
The book’s tone is conversational and approachable, making complex concepts feel accessible and relatable. DeBaun’s ability to connect with readers on a personal level is one of the book’s greatest strengths, as it feels less like a lecture and more like a heart-to-heart conversation with a trusted mentor.
While the book’s focus on self-discovery and personal growth is universal, it may resonate most with readers who are at a crossroads in their careers or personal lives. For those ready to take bold action and rewrite their own rules, this book offers a powerful toolkit for creating a life of success and freedom.
"Rewrite Your Rules" is a transformative and empowering read that challenges readers to rethink their approach to success and embrace a more intentional and fulfilling way of living. Morgan DeBaun’s wisdom and authenticity shine through every page, making this book a valuable resource for anyone ready to take charge of their life and redefine what truly matters.
Morgan DeBaun’s "Rewrite Your Rules" is a refreshing and empowering guide that challenges the conventional notions of success and offers a transformative framework for achieving fulfillment on your own terms. As the founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., DeBaun brings her entrepreneurial wisdom and relatable authenticity to this inspiring book, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to redefine their path in life.
The book is structured around a three-part framework: Master Yourself, Master Your Method, and Master Your Growth. Each section is packed with actionable advice, real-life anecdotes, and thought-provoking exercises that encourage readers to reflect on their values, align their actions with their goals, and adapt to life’s challenges. DeBaun’s writing is both practical and motivational, striking a perfect balance between guidance and inspiration.
"Rewrite Your Rules" boldly rejects the toxic hustle culture. DeBaun advocates for intentional living, urging readers to prioritize authenticity and purpose over societal expectations. Her insights are particularly valuable for those feeling trapped by traditional definitions of success, as she provides a roadmap for breaking free and designing a life that truly resonates with their passions and aspirations.
The book’s tone is conversational and approachable, making complex concepts feel accessible and relatable. DeBaun’s ability to connect with readers on a personal level is one of the book’s greatest strengths, as it feels less like a lecture and more like a heart-to-heart conversation with a trusted mentor.
While the book’s focus on self-discovery and personal growth is universal, it may resonate most with readers who are at a crossroads in their careers or personal lives. For those ready to take bold action and rewrite their own rules, this book offers a powerful toolkit for creating a life of success and freedom.
"Rewrite Your Rules" is a transformative and empowering read that challenges readers to rethink their approach to success and embrace a more intentional and fulfilling way of living. Morgan DeBaun’s wisdom and authenticity shine through every page, making this book a valuable resource for anyone ready to take charge of their life and redefine what truly matters.
April 16, 2026
I was excited for this one -- I found it after I watched an interview with Morgan DeBaun, and she is clearly a very interesting, successful, intelligent individual with a lot of wisdom to instill.
However, this book commits what is, to me, the cardinal sin of self-help books. It's primarily about the author with little room for the reader to be nothing like the author.
This is fine if you're openly writing for a VERY specific audience. At the beginning, the author could have said, this is who I am and I'm going to give advice to people who are highly similar to me. Instead, she proclaims that the advice she is going to lay out is relevant to basically anyone who isn't a white man. She purports to have a method to restore balance to all areas of your life and beat hustle culture.
She then proceeds to talk about business. A lot.
This is likely fine and helpful for aspiring female CEOs. The author acknowledges that family, relationships, hobbies, self-growth, wellness and more can be as important as work, and that's healthy and great. But the examples that show people living life in that way often don't last longer than a sentence. The main in-depth example we have is the author herself. And the author is the founder of a multi-million dollar company -- not the most relatable life story.
This has the potential to be reworked into a really nice business memoir someday.
However, this book commits what is, to me, the cardinal sin of self-help books. It's primarily about the author with little room for the reader to be nothing like the author.
This is fine if you're openly writing for a VERY specific audience. At the beginning, the author could have said, this is who I am and I'm going to give advice to people who are highly similar to me. Instead, she proclaims that the advice she is going to lay out is relevant to basically anyone who isn't a white man. She purports to have a method to restore balance to all areas of your life and beat hustle culture.
She then proceeds to talk about business. A lot.
This is likely fine and helpful for aspiring female CEOs. The author acknowledges that family, relationships, hobbies, self-growth, wellness and more can be as important as work, and that's healthy and great. But the examples that show people living life in that way often don't last longer than a sentence. The main in-depth example we have is the author herself. And the author is the founder of a multi-million dollar company -- not the most relatable life story.
This has the potential to be reworked into a really nice business memoir someday.
February 14, 2025
How many of us are tired of the constant daily grind and glorification of hustle culture? I know I am! If 2020, or anything since, has been your wake-up call to that method of living not being the most sustainable or inspiring, but you still have trouble leaving it behind or slipping into those old habits, this book is for you. “Rewrite Your Rules” is broken down into three sections: Master Yourself, Master Your Method, and Master Your Growth. Each has three to four topics that guide you through how to reimagine success, envision better for yourself, and take action to get there.
I liked that this book gave actionable advice for both entrepreneurs AND traditional corporate employees. Not everyone is meant to be one or the other, no matter what the current influencer and entrepreneur glorification culture will have you believe. Ensuring that both paths were covered was refreshing. There are simple, tangible steps that will work no matter where you are on your journey to success.
Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #RewriteYourRules. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.
I liked that this book gave actionable advice for both entrepreneurs AND traditional corporate employees. Not everyone is meant to be one or the other, no matter what the current influencer and entrepreneur glorification culture will have you believe. Ensuring that both paths were covered was refreshing. There are simple, tangible steps that will work no matter where you are on your journey to success.
Thank you to #NetGalley for a review copy of #RewriteYourRules. All feedback is my unbiased opinion, not paid, and simply for the love of books.
October 23, 2024
Morgan DeBaun is the founder/CEO of Blavity and the author of "Rewrite Your Rules: The Journey to Success in Less Time with More Freedom." In this book, DeBaun helps her readers to "design a fulfilling life and career without succumbing to the relentless hustle culture and the success metrics of others." In this book, DeBaun asserts that you must know your purpose in order to be successful. Your reason for working, living, and everything else will always be more profitable if you know your purpose. This, according to DeBaun, is then called the purpose principle. That principle is the whole foundation for what you do, upon which is built the following six pillars: money, freedom, stability, relationships, passions, and wellness. DeBaun then goes on to define each pillar.
I found this book to be very helpful, particularly the diagrams. I thought this was a fairly easy read and would be good for any woman who is looking to make more of her life. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I found this book to be very helpful, particularly the diagrams. I thought this was a fairly easy read and would be good for any woman who is looking to make more of her life. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2026
There are books that teach you how to become successful. There are books that teach you how to build a happy life. Then there's Rewrite Your Rules, Morgan DeBaun's journey on balancing career success and a balanced life.
I love how she offers us a framework to name what our focus is on in each season because our priorities change. When priorities change so does our focus.
Some might feel like they already know these things, and I would say, "Great!" and ask what does it look like for you? How has it strengthened you? How can your process strengthen others?
Whether you stand as someone who knows not what to do or as someone who knows what to do, my experience is this book is amazing in community with others! It helps us hold each other accountable and serves as a framework to launch a goalfriend club.
I hope all who feel led to pick up this book not only gain meaningful knowledge, but that you also find your people along the way.
I love how she offers us a framework to name what our focus is on in each season because our priorities change. When priorities change so does our focus.
Some might feel like they already know these things, and I would say, "Great!" and ask what does it look like for you? How has it strengthened you? How can your process strengthen others?
Whether you stand as someone who knows not what to do or as someone who knows what to do, my experience is this book is amazing in community with others! It helps us hold each other accountable and serves as a framework to launch a goalfriend club.
I hope all who feel led to pick up this book not only gain meaningful knowledge, but that you also find your people along the way.
March 29, 2025
The framework that resonated with me the most was CEO vs. Operating Tasks. It completely shifted my mindset on how I spend my time and where to focus as a leader.
One quote I took from the book and now keep on sticky notes as a reminder is: “EMBRACE ‘WE’ INSTEAD OF ‘ME.’” That simple shift in thinking helped me realize that building a strong team isn’t just about delegation. It’s about creating a culture where collaboration fuels success.
I also connected with the statement: “Yet I wrongly assumed that needing help made me weak or ineffective compared to those who could ‘do it all.’” That was a powerful reminder that great leaders fail alone, and stepping into my CEO role means letting go of the belief that I have to handle everything myself.
*I’ve read it twice!! It is an excellent and helpful book.
Wendy A.
One quote I took from the book and now keep on sticky notes as a reminder is: “EMBRACE ‘WE’ INSTEAD OF ‘ME.’” That simple shift in thinking helped me realize that building a strong team isn’t just about delegation. It’s about creating a culture where collaboration fuels success.
I also connected with the statement: “Yet I wrongly assumed that needing help made me weak or ineffective compared to those who could ‘do it all.’” That was a powerful reminder that great leaders fail alone, and stepping into my CEO role means letting go of the belief that I have to handle everything myself.
*I’ve read it twice!! It is an excellent and helpful book.
Wendy A.
October 24, 2025
I really enjoyed getting to read this book. Some parts were a bit boring to me so I just skimmed through some parts, but overall it was a great read. What I enjoyed most about this book was getting to dig deep within myself to explore and challenge some limiting beliefs/ social expectations that I had heard my whole life. I loved getting to journal while reading this book as it did incorporate really good journaling exercises. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is curious about learning more about their personal beliefs, dreams, and wants in their life.
August 7, 2025
I bought both the hardcover and audiobook—and I’m so glad I did. Rewrite Your Rules is one of those rare books that speaks directly to high-achievers who are ready to redefine success on their own terms. Morgan blends real-life insight with practical advice, and it’s clear this isn’t a one-time read. It’s a resource I’ll be referencing again and again as I build a more aligned, free, and impactful life.
March 27, 2025
This is the most useful self-help book I've read in years.
I am a visual learner and having charts and other visual prompts helps motivate me to replicate and put into action; the Wealth Code is my favorite. The author use positive power word like build, vision, design, dream, evolve, etc.
The books work for business and personal life. Thank you to Ballantine Books for the ARC.
I am a visual learner and having charts and other visual prompts helps motivate me to replicate and put into action; the Wealth Code is my favorite. The author use positive power word like build, vision, design, dream, evolve, etc.
The books work for business and personal life. Thank you to Ballantine Books for the ARC.
February 1, 2026
This is a practical guide for living a full life without compromising. It’s precisely the clarity I needed to develop and implement my long term strategy for success on my own terms. I’m so grateful to Morgan for being transparent with her lived experience! I feel unstoppable. Achieving my goal is inevitable. Thank you!
February 3, 2026
It's an informative book with step by step guidelines to move towards your professional goals while highlighting the personal aspects of your life that also need to be in alignment for opitmal success.
March 27, 2025
Finally! A non-preachy self-help book. This has actual frameworks - I'm not an enterpreneuer but this was still helpful.
Would love a work book to go along with it.
Would love a work book to go along with it.
June 1, 2025
I was expecting to get something after reading this. Not the case for me...
September 14, 2025
Not that this is not a good book, but there are better ones out there for similar topics.
May 13, 2026
Pretty good book. Easy to read and understand. I especially enjoyed & learned from her description and use of "sprints" in her work and personal life. She has accomplished a lot.
April 9, 2025
I think the book had a lot of potential to be more helpful for other females looking into building a business like the author, and more insight to that. But it was ruined by what the author did write about. I honestly don’t remember any business advice the author wrote in this book, only things she claimed she struggled with being her.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews