Did you know that you could make the most of your day with just 1 thing? I didn’t either but it’s true!!
It’s really quite easy!
You ready? Are you sure? {drum role please}
Have a morning routine!
Hear me out, okay?
There is nothing better than sitting around and drinking coffee and reading a book in the morning! Unfortunately, if you’re anything like me, you look at the clock and realize that you’ve spent 2 hours not getting anything accomplished on your “to do list”. Then there are those days when you get to the end and realize that you never went back and made your bed.
When my kids were small, at one point I had 4 kids going to 3 different schools. We definitely had a routine and if we were off by even a few minutes, the whole morning was messed up. The oldest kids got up first and got into the bathroom first. By the time, they were finished and eating breakfast, I got the younger kids up. Quite often the 2 younger kids ate breakfast in the car so that they could sleep a little longer.
I was a “mean mom”! If my kids forgot something at home, we didn’t go back to get it. Not only did we not have time, I also felt it was important to them to learn organization and responsibility. My oldest son’s teacher mentioned during one of his parent/teacher conferences that turning in assignments late was becoming a common thing and he quite often didn’t have a lunch. When asked he indicated that I wouldn’t go home for them. She seemed a little concerned until I explained that it was his responsibility to make sure that his homework got put back into his backpack and that he grabbed his lunch off the kitchen counter. It wasn’t that he didn’t have opportunity, he was unorganized and I was trying to teach him responsibility and accountability. She relaxed a little after that.
As the kids grew up and moved out, my morning routine became VERY relaxed. It was a wonderful thing but also not very motivational. I’m sure that my husband wondered if I was going to clean house again. I came to realize that routines (even small ones) can make a huge difference but they are very personalized and individual so I started experimenting until I found something that worked for me.
Through this process, these are the main things that I would recommend in any morning routine:
- Get dressed in real cloths! – I know this sounds like a “duh” but it’s not as easy as it seems. Wearing sweatpants/yoga pants\stretchy pants (whatever you want to call them) with t-shirts or sweatshirts is an easy habit to get into. I’ve found that if I put on a “real shirt”, I’m more productive. I can still wear yoga pants (though I do try to put jeans on most days).
- Put on makeup and do your hair – This just helps to make you feel like you’re ready for the day. Even if you don’t wear makeup, wash your face and comb/brush your hair.
- Make your bed – Once heard it said that if your bed was made then your room was 75% clean. After doing this for many years, I have to agree.
- Start a load of laundry – By starting a load first thing, you’ll have all morning to switch to the dryer. Then folding it in the afternoon will only take 10-15 minutes. Viola – completed from start to finish!!!
- Have your personal quiet time – whether it’s bible study, prayer, meditation, or exercise (or any combination thereof), first thing in the morning helps you to focus throughout the day.
See that wasn’t so hard, was it? Just remember that what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment, try something new and don’t be afraid to change something that’s not working. Even kids can have ideas about what might make mornings go a little smoother (like setting out clothes the night before, perhaps). Let them be part of the process and perhaps they’ll surprise you.
Here’s to being more productive!
Blessings,
Heidi
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