Do you feel like there are never enough hours in the day to get things done?
My roles as mom, employee, and business owner can get overwhelming. At the beginning of the year, I decided that if I were going to "have it all" I had to get a handle on my day.
Managing my mornings has been one of the BEST adjustments I have made. Here are small changes that I made for a big impact.
1. Hydrate-Instead of reaching for my phone first, I reach for the glass of water. We all get dehydrated overnight and this is one thing I can do for my body as soon as I get up. I don’t always have time to get in physical activity, so I am focused on what I can do. I stick to the 96oz of water as a minimum for the day.
2. Mindset-I pray. This gets my mind right for the day. Some people meditate and others may just have some quiet time. It does not matter what it’s called, but time to set my intentions for the day is the most important change I’ve made.
3. Learn-My time is so limited and learning something each day is important. I like to start my mornings with it. While I am getting ready, I listen to a podcast or book. I typically tune back into learning during my short commute. Some of my favorite podcasts are RISE with Rachel Hollis, The Jasmine Star Show, Goal Digger, H.E.R Space and The Courtney Sanders Show. This is not a complete list but this lineup provides me with mental wellness, entrepreneurial motivation, financial knowledge and just plain ole life lessons.
4. Plan-I look at my to-do list (previously created) and confirm or re-organize if needed. If something has changed since creating my list the day before, I change course and change priorities.
Quick example: I completely forgot that Ava (my five YO) had a Drs. appointment this morning. Yes, as organized as I try to be, I miss things. I remembered late last night and texted my leader right away. [Flexibility is #1 for me in any role.] I pulled out my planner and completely reorganized my day. I moved two meetings and changed one of my BIG THREE priorities for the day.
5. Breakfast-This is usually on the go. I choose easy (healthy) breakfast options that I can enjoy on the go. Some of my go-to items are:
· Shakes (I prefer Arbonne products because they are plant based and minimal sugar.)
· Boiled eggs
· Turkey sausage or bacon
· Fruit bowl or just a banana
Bonus: Showing gratitude! There is a ton of research around how showing gratitude at the beginning of the day; contributes to a positive mindset and increases productivity. I am not doing this everyday YET, and I am on my way to adding this to my daily list. I am typically a sunny…shiny…glass half full person anyway :).
In a perfect world, I would do these things every day...I DON'T. Things that hijack my morning are: hitting snooze, not planning the day before, and not having breakfast options handy.
Funny thing…This morning Ava hijacked my morning by waking up super early during my prayer and learning time. In the past, I would have tossed my routine up in the air and been frustrated. NOPE! Some routines are sacred to me, so I was not willing to give it up. Instead, I invited her into my morning. We prayed together. It was fantastic! We pray every night together before bed, but this was unscripted prayer time and children really know how to talk to God. We then listened to But Why! (a podcast for curious kids). I highly recommend adding this to your list for the kiddos. That long story was just to say, that as I sit here and write this blog. I understand the challenges that many women face. We have to switch roles constantly and we rarely have time for ourselves. I have learned (at almost 40) that every minute counts and we should do the things that make us happy with each one.
What are your favorite morning routines?
What books or podcasts are you listening to?
What are your breakfast favorites?
Where do you like to spend your moments?
What do you wish you had more time for?
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