Whether you are married or single, have children or no children, getting ready in the morning can be very challenging to say the least. Putting a little routine into the day can make all the difference in turning a chaotic morning into one that is calm, smooth and more streamlined.
1. Rather than doing it in the morning, prepare lunches the night prior. Packing lunches after dinner can save you several minutes of valuable time in the morning so you can sit down and eat a good breakfast. Divide cheese and cut vegetables and fruit into small plastic bags that can be grabbed in the morning. Put individual packages of mayonnaise or mustard in lunches so sandwiches won't get soggy standing overnight. Put soup or chili into individual serving containers.
2. The same goes with your briefcase or purse. Put your keys, briefcase and all of the other things you will need for the next day in the same spot every evening so you can just grab everything and go in the morning. If the kids need certain things for sports or other activities, make sure they have them ready and all in the same spot the night before so the morning is not spent searching for something missing.
3. Plan out your wardrobe in the evening. Lay out everything from your undergarments to your accessories that you plan to wear. Ask your older children to pick out the clothes they plan to wear and have them lay them out as well. If some of the articles of clothing need ironing or mending, do it at this time.
4. Coordinate bathroom schedules with the people you live with. Fighting for the bathroom causes frustration and zaps you of the energy you need for the rest of the day. Discuss and designate times for everyone to use the bathroom in the morning. Consider showering and washing your hair the evening before. This way all the grooming you will need to do in the morning is to wash up, put on your makeup, and comb your hair.
5. Consider getting a low-maintenance haircut. Did you ever time yourself to see how long it takes you to do your hair in the morning? If it is taking you a long time to wash, dry and style your hair every morning, perhaps a simpler, more wash-and-wear style is in order. Talk to your hairdresser or barber and get a few suggestions.
1. Rather than doing it in the morning, prepare lunches the night prior. Packing lunches after dinner can save you several minutes of valuable time in the morning so you can sit down and eat a good breakfast. Divide cheese and cut vegetables and fruit into small plastic bags that can be grabbed in the morning. Put individual packages of mayonnaise or mustard in lunches so sandwiches won't get soggy standing overnight. Put soup or chili into individual serving containers.
2. The same goes with your briefcase or purse. Put your keys, briefcase and all of the other things you will need for the next day in the same spot every evening so you can just grab everything and go in the morning. If the kids need certain things for sports or other activities, make sure they have them ready and all in the same spot the night before so the morning is not spent searching for something missing.
3. Plan out your wardrobe in the evening. Lay out everything from your undergarments to your accessories that you plan to wear. Ask your older children to pick out the clothes they plan to wear and have them lay them out as well. If some of the articles of clothing need ironing or mending, do it at this time.
4. Coordinate bathroom schedules with the people you live with. Fighting for the bathroom causes frustration and zaps you of the energy you need for the rest of the day. Discuss and designate times for everyone to use the bathroom in the morning. Consider showering and washing your hair the evening before. This way all the grooming you will need to do in the morning is to wash up, put on your makeup, and comb your hair.
5. Consider getting a low-maintenance haircut. Did you ever time yourself to see how long it takes you to do your hair in the morning? If it is taking you a long time to wash, dry and style your hair every morning, perhaps a simpler, more wash-and-wear style is in order. Talk to your hairdresser or barber and get a few suggestions.
6. Invest in a coffee maker with an automatic timer. Otherwise, set up your coffee maker the evening before. Then all you need to do in the morning is turn the machine on. If you're a tea drinker, put out your favorite bags in mugs in the evening or keep a small basket or container on the counter with a small assortment of bags. Set out your insulated travel mug near the coffee maker so you are ready to take a cup of coffee on the road with you.
7. Planning ahead is important for larger projects. As soon as you find out about an event at school that you need to prepare something for, make note of certain dates. After making a list of the things you will need, make a note of the date you will be purchasing the supplies. Also mark the date you will start preparation depending upon the size of the project. Lastly, mark the date of the event with a list of everything your child will need to take to school for that project. This way you won't be scrambling to make dessert or sew a costume for a play the morning the child needs to take it to school.
8. If you have young children, use the morning television programs strategically. Save a favorite program as a reward for when clothes are on, breakfast has been eaten and all of their things are ready to go.
9. If you tend to be groggy and forgetful in the morning, make a list the night before and tape it to your refrigerator or in another prominent spot where you will notice it. A dry erase board attached to your refrigerator is a good option. There is nothing worse than getting out on the road only to realize you left an important file at home. Avoid this by keeping a to-do list handy and check it regularly to make sure you have taken care of everything.
10. Wake up earlier. This may not be something you want to do, but it doesn't have to be much earlier, say 15 minutes. If your mornings are just too packed, you may need a little more time. To make up the difference, consider going to bed a little earlier as well. Remember that getting a good night's sleep is very important in helping to give you that good start to your day.
7. Planning ahead is important for larger projects. As soon as you find out about an event at school that you need to prepare something for, make note of certain dates. After making a list of the things you will need, make a note of the date you will be purchasing the supplies. Also mark the date you will start preparation depending upon the size of the project. Lastly, mark the date of the event with a list of everything your child will need to take to school for that project. This way you won't be scrambling to make dessert or sew a costume for a play the morning the child needs to take it to school.
8. If you have young children, use the morning television programs strategically. Save a favorite program as a reward for when clothes are on, breakfast has been eaten and all of their things are ready to go.
9. If you tend to be groggy and forgetful in the morning, make a list the night before and tape it to your refrigerator or in another prominent spot where you will notice it. A dry erase board attached to your refrigerator is a good option. There is nothing worse than getting out on the road only to realize you left an important file at home. Avoid this by keeping a to-do list handy and check it regularly to make sure you have taken care of everything.
10. Wake up earlier. This may not be something you want to do, but it doesn't have to be much earlier, say 15 minutes. If your mornings are just too packed, you may need a little more time. To make up the difference, consider going to bed a little earlier as well. Remember that getting a good night's sleep is very important in helping to give you that good start to your day.
Thanks to Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!
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