Feeling panicked and overwhelmed by everything you have to accomplish? You're not alone. In this video we break it down, step by step. Be sure to download the corresponding worksheet
Read moreActually Scheduling out Habits for Better Time Management
You know what you want to get accomplished for the day. But when's the last time you scheduled in the new habit you also want to add? Is there time? In this video, I talk about actually stopping to take the time to schedule and how it can be beneficial.
Read moreHow to Get Started on Improving Your Habits
Know you want to work on a new habit, but don't know where to begin? This video points out the key first step in getting started.
Read moreHow to be Productive When Planning Your Next Trip
Do you ever get frazzled while getting ready for a trip? Then this video is for you - three quick tips about how to calmly and productively prepare.
Read moreHow to Make Actionable Steps Work in Your Daily Life
One step at a time is a mantra I live by when I'm starting something new. Are you ready to take those steps? Check out this article to make it manageable and easy to start today.
Read moreWays to be Kinder to Yourself
You know life is better when you're kinder to yourself. No one gets anywhere by berating or judging themselves harshly. So what are ways we can be kinder to ourselves? Find out in this article.
Read more5 Reasons to Get Excited About Input Cleanses
Don't worry, no juices or soups involved here. Find out what an "input cleanse" is in this post and reasons why you should schedule them into your regular routine.
Read moreWhy do you Want an Extra Hour in Your Day?
What are your reasons for wanting to be more productive and accountable? Have you really thought about them in a meaningful way? What's holding you back? Read this article for perspective.
Read moreIs It Time to Reorganize Your Productivity Toolbox?
Sometimes we need to take old tools out and put new ones in to gain progress on our productivity. When's the last time you sorted through your own toolbox?
Read moreHow to Get Started on Your Next Steps
Feeling inspiration to get started, but don't know where to begin? This post covers taking tiny steps to get you some momentum moving forward.
Read moreHow to Get Yourself Across the Finish Line
It's that time of year when everyone is trying to wrap up projects, classes, and deadlines. This article talks about ways to help get through that final push.
Read moreWhy You Should Stop the Social Comparison
We all compare ourselves to other people. But often, we take it too far. In this article I give a big reason to stop the social comparisons.
Read moreHow to Deal with all the Questions from Relatives
Going to a family event where you'll be seeing relatives who want to ask the long list of questions that center around, "what are you doing with your life" ? Check out this post to help deal with the questions in a healthy and productive way.
Read moreMy Latest List of Optimistic and Fresh Podcasts
Need something new to listen to on your commute or during your free time? Here's my latest list that is helping me stay optimistic and hopeful about the future.
Read moreHow to Avoid, "But I Put So Much Time Into That."
Have you ever heard of the sunk cost fallacy? Read more about it here and the next steps you can take to avoid it.
Read moreWhy Your Mental To-Do List Prevents Progress
Do you carry around lists of things to do in your head? Even just a couple of things, like a mental grocery list or things you have to do today? Read more to find out why you need to stop carrying around the lists in your head.
Read moreHow to Make Your Morning Routine Work for You
Oh the idea of the morning routine. They are everywhere. There's even a website dedicated to interviewing people about the topic, called "My Morning Routine." There are super productive people out there that have a really great ritual, like my friend and career expert Melody Wilding. Author Gretchen Rubin regularly thinks and blogs about the topic, due to her interest in habits and behavior. Another favorite author of mine is Jenny Blake, who has a morning routine that sounds heavenly.
But have you ever tried to create a morning routine and failed miserably at it?
Sometimes we read about other people's morning routines and dream up what ours could be like. My friend, Dr. Amanda Crowell, just wrote about her "missing morning routine" over on Powerful Peony. We create our dream morning routines and even make big declarations like, "Tomorrow I will get up at 5:00AM and be super productive!"
But then we sleep in until 11...or 12...or later, wonder where the day went, and feel pretty bad about our morning routine in general. Sound familiar? That's pretty much how I spent most of my early twenties, especially when I had a flexible schedule and didn't have to be anywhere until later in the afternoon. Or I let my work schedule dictate when I woke up and went to bed without considering what I wanted to do. We've already talked about adjusting your sleep habits on the blog, and for me - that was the key to creating a morning routine. I couldn't establish a consistent morning routine until I regulated my sleep schedule effectively.
Making teeny tiny changes at first can help shape your behavior.
Making a morning routine that works for you doesn't happen literally in one night. Hopefully, you find that reassuring rather than discouraging. I still find myself tweaking and changing my morning routine to make it "better" and more efficient. I look at the people who wake up at 5:00AM and have all these productive moments to themselves and think, "eventually." Eventually, I'll get there. I have to be kind to myself and not feel bad after I have a day of "sleeping in" or staying up too late. It happens! It took me years to get to a point where waking up at 6:00AM every morning feels normal and part of my routine.
The productivity expert, Michael Hyatt, recommends several steps to establishing a morning routine, including committing yourself to 21 days to form the habit. Although I would take it to the next step and look at the research that recommends 66 days to establish a new habit that sticks.
Beyond commitment to a schedule and getting enough sleep, what else can you do?
Here are some ideas for small changes that you can experiment with:
What are you eating for breakfast? Protein and fruit or something that makes you want to go back to sleep (like sugary cereal or skipping it completely)? Do you drink coffee or juice in the morning? Keep track. Notice how it makes you feel.
Are you looking at your phone first thing in the morning? Does that dictate the rest of your day? What if you wait to look at your phone until 30 minutes after getting up?
Do you have time for a five- or ten-minute meditation? Sometimes taking a few minutes to center ourselves sets a great tone for the day. Personally, my best mornings start with a 20-minute meditation.
Can someone (or something) help keep you accountable? For me, my dogs are on a pretty regimented routine in the morning. They know once I get up...they get to go outside and then eat breakfast. Their motivation is high to get me up and moving! Sometimes other people can help keep us accountable too - we just have to ask.
What's a reward you could give yourself in the morning for following your routine? Could you spend some extra time searching for funny videos on YouTube later in the day? Or have a piece of chocolate for following through? You know what rewards work for you - try to use them to your advantage.
What other ideas do you want to try? Post below in the comments and I can follow up with you!
5 Mistakes People Make When Considering More Education
Have you ever considered going back to school? Here are some helpful tips for reasons to think about it.
Read moreThe Importance of Taking a True Day of Rest
Ever think that you should just "go, go, go" as much as you can? Or that rest comes naturally? Read more in this post about why we all should be more intentional about our days of rest.
Read moreHow to Find People Who Can Scaffold You
We all need people in our lives who can help us reach the next step in our development, whether they are a mentor, coach, friend, or classmate. This post helps you "find your tribe" and people who can help you the most.
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