Are your mornings often filled with stress and lack of productivity? In this article, I will provide clear steps to change that.
First, you must make a conscious decision and commit to having less stressful and more productive mornings. Hoping or relying on luck is not a strategy. You need to believe that it is possible to have better mornings and take action accordingly.
Next, it’s important to have a plan in place. Take five to 15 minutes the night before to plan out your next day. Consider how many hours you plan to work, what tasks are already on your schedule, and how much free time you have. Avoid overloading your schedule and allow it to have some breathing room. However, be intentional about what you plan for the next day.
Getting enough sleep is also crucial for a productive morning. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Here’s a simple sleep formula: Decide what time you want to wake up in the morning, subtract the number of hours you plan to sleep from that time to determine your bedtime and subtract an additional 60 minutes to account for screen-free time before bed.
When well-rested, you’ll experience less stress and more energy for a productive morning. Give yourself plenty of time in the morning to complete your tasks, whether alone or have a spouse, kids, or pets to take care of. Add 30 to 60 minutes to the time you need to avoid running out of time and feeling stressed.
You may need to prioritize your tasks if unforeseen circumstances arise, such as oversleeping or unexpected events. Be kind to yourself and extend grace when things don’t go as planned. Remember, life happens, and adjusting your schedule is okay.
So, how can you create less stressful and more productive mornings? Let me know your thoughts.