The January 15-Minute Daily Challenge only has 1 week left! For more background on the Challenge and understanding what transpired in the first three weeks click HERE.
Week Four: Prepare for Tomorrow
In the morning I wake up to my 5:30 alarm (or lately Caleb screaming at 5:20 am, I hope this is a phase). In these moments I often feel like I am rushing to calm a screaming baby or get my workout done before he wakes up at any moment. Each minute is precious and I hate feeling like I am behind. The solution: spend a few minutes at night to prepare for the next day.
Problem: Rushing through your day to never feel like you can catch up and always feeling behind.
The Challenge: Commit to 15 minutes per day to prepare for tomorrow and set yourself up for success
Supplies: This is very specific to what setting yourself up for success means to you.
The Process: Pick a time each day to prepare for the next day. Schedule this into your day. Keep it like an appointment with yourself that is non-negotiable. For me this time is after the baby is in bed but before I unwind with my hubby for an hour of TV for the night. Once I sit on the couch, all motivation leaves my body.
Discover what it is that is setting you behind each day. Are there places where you can be more efficient? The fewer decisions and thinking you need to do first thing in the morning the better. For me, this looks like setting out my workout clothes and go-go juice in the bathroom.
More Examples
Wiping down all the countertops and running the dishwasher at night is better than waking up to a sink full of dishes and food caked onto the counters (or on the floor since my little guy likes to throw his dinner) that makes me feel behind in the morning.
Also, when my hubby was going to work in the office, I would pack his lunch the night before. Currently, since we are all staying home, I cut fruit for the next day and chop any veggies for dinner the next night. This little bit of prep helps so much when Caleb is hangry and I am throwing together dinner.
Additional resources/ideas
If you want to know more about meal planning see: Meal Planning Guide
Reminder: Keep at your Habit 1: Decluttering/Cleaning (more details here) and your Habit 2: Quiet time (more details here), Habit 3: Exercise (more details here). This is an additional habit we are adding into our day. These 4 tasks can be done in one 1-hour block or broken out during your day. That part is up to you.
I would be so curious to hear how spending just 15-minutes per day preparing for tomorrow benefits your overall day and productivity.
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