Start Your Day the Night Before

Another strategy to increase your morning productivity is to get as many things set up the night before as possible.  Here are some evening activities that help the next morning:

• Prep your outfit for the day - Find your clothing, underwear, socks, and shoes and hang them where you will dress.
• Prep your shower - Put towels and washcloths in easy reach of the shower.
• Load your briefcase/purse - Pack work-related materials, planner, pens, etc. in your briefcase/purse.
• Place your briefcase/purse in front of the back door - You'd have to trip over it before you leave so you'll never forget it.  Better yet, as long as there is nothing that the weather or temperature would hurt in it, go ahead and put it in the car.
• Prep your breakfast - Eating cereal?  Go ahead and pour it in the bowl.  Add the sugar, too.  In the morning, just add milk and fresh fruit and you're good to go.
• Put accessories in a consistent place each night - Put your keys, wallet, watch, comb, pen, pencil, etc., in a valet or basket so you know where everything is.  Even better is to place the basket/valet near the door so you can put items in when you come in and scoop them out when you leave.

What do you do the night before to help the next morning be more productive?

Comments

[transitus]

In addition to some of the things you've mentioned above, I fill my water bottle and place it next to my computer. I also put my vitamins for the next day in my desk drawer (to keep them out of reach of small hands).

[GBGames]

Heh, I eat cereal for breakfast everyday, but I don't think I could give up the morning ritual of getting the box, the milk, the bowl, and the spoon in that order. Besides, the ritual is just more activity that wakes me up in the morning, and having it all done the night before would just result in my groggy self getting milk and pouring, possibly missing the bowl. B-)

But having a set ritual you follow every morning makes it easier to get ready. You don't spend time wondering what you forgot because you've already covered everything in your morning habits.

[Tut]

I fill the filter basket of the Mr. Coffee and put the water in the reservoir when I remember, and it certainly smoothes the mornings. Sometimes, before bed, I make my lunches ahead, even for the whole week- if I'm not too tired.

-Tut
Health-Hack.com

[Colin]

I always make my lunch the night before, if I didn't I would never have time in the morning and would starve to death or go bankrupt buying lunches. Putting stuff in front of the front door is a great idea that I use cause you just can't forget it.

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