Are you on schedule? Or is your life scheduling YOU?

“If you win the morning, you win the day!” - Tim Ferriss

Morning Routines.....

Are you with them or naw??

As a busy career and business mom, I never knew the importance or the power a morning routine could have on your life. Actually, I never even thought about implementing a morning routine in my life because I felt like that it served no purpose for the betterment of my day, let alone my life... Really, I just never had time!

“Time is Money... Money is Time... How are you spending it?”

Mom (and Dad) life is a different type of life that requires a great deal of patience and trial and error. When you are a mom, especially a single mom, be prepared to make a lot of mistakes and try many different things. Be prepared to give up your time for the time of everyone else. “Mom time” is something so precious that once it is gone, it is hard to get back. Trust Me... I know!!! I can remember my morning time being the most chaotic and craziest times of day.......

“Waking up at 5 am, getting my shower and bathroom needs to be taken care of, spending about an hour o two trying to figure out what to wear because I am so indecisive that I didn’t plan the outfit the night before, trying to wake up a young child who decided she didn’t want to go to bed the night before; getting her ready for school, trying to pack a lunch so you don’t spend any more money at fast-food restaurants..... all while trying to make it to the kid's school and downtown to work by 8 am....” WHEW!!!!!

“Is this your morning life? Or am I the only one?”

Girl... Listen! It was extremely stressful and a lot going on! By the time I made it to the office to deal with the daily stresses of life, I was already STRESSED, which made me un-productive! Why was I so stressed at 8 am in the morning? Well... It’s because I didn’t schedule ‘Mom Time’; I didn’t make time work for me! I allowed the crazy, chaotic life to create my time for me! After years and years of running through the mornings looking like a chicken with my head cut off.... something had to give... a change had to happen......

Morning Routines are those daily actions (the keyword is ACTiON) that you perform and complete in the morning prior to the start of your daily main activities (Work or School).

Morning routines doesn’t have to something long and drawn out; they are actually very short and simple actions that can make you day less stressful, more fun and more productive.

Establishing a morning routine helps to set the tone for your day.. It is the prerequisite for how your day is going to play out... it is either going to make you or break you. Mamas, when you begin to schedule and plan out what your day is going to look and feel like, it gives. you better control of your “Mom-Life” situation and allows YOU to control your schedule instead of your schedule controlling you.

Starting each day with a renewed and fresh mind gives you a better focus on what is in front of you, where to prioritize your time, and most importantly ... Increase productivity.

I never knew how valuable and essential a morning routine could be in your life until I started actually implementing it in my life. Once I finally let go of my own internal control and allowed for help in the mornings... Girl.. my. days became a little bit easier, a little less stressful, and more productive and I was able to get so much accomplished.

“Want to know how my mornings became less stressful, less chaotic, and more fun??

If anyone knows me, I have a passion and love for reading; I am always picking up a book either for pleasure or self-help. I stumbled upon the book,

Keep it Simple: For Moms on the Go” by Emilie Barnes.

This monthly devotional book became a god-send on my life because it gave me short tidbits of advice and inspirational ways to discover how to simplify my days and bring the freedom and the fun to my daily life.

While I was reading this book in the evenings, I would write out 3-5 things I can do the next morning in my planner ... since I am a planner nerd and I look at my planner at least 10 times a day (But that’s another blog post).

1. Waking up at least two hours before the kids (or significant other) and having that time to collect my thoughts. This time is used to journal, pray, meditate, and DRINK MY COFFEE

2. Making my bed... as simple as it sounds... making my bed helps to reduce the clutter of your mind

3. Listening to my Podcast... while I am in the shower ... keeps my mind active

What Does your morning routine look like ?! Let’s talk about it ....... Send me a DM on Facebook or Instagram

-EducateD_1

Ms. Tiffany McDonald

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