My girls
have an option at school that is referred to as Zero Hour. It is designed so students can arrive at
school early, before the standard start of day, and take an extra class. For students wanting to graduate early or
take AP with college credit classes their senior year this is ideal. By arriving at school 45 minutes sooner they
get more done in each day. While my
girls are not participating in Zero Hour I decide I would.
No, I am not
going back to school. Instead I am
getting up about an hour earlier each day.
I've been doing this for quite a few weeks now. The reason I decided to try this is because I
know I am much more productive in the morning than I am in the evening after I
have worked all day. Plus our evenings
are, quite often, extremely busy.
So what do I
do first thing in the morning?
Lots of
things! It is amazing what adding an
extra 45 minutes to an hour to my morning actually does. This is what I have done so far:
Lots of
things! It is amazing what adding an
extra 45 minutes to an hour to my morning actually does. I can:
Empty the
dishwasher
Wash, dry
and fold a load of clothes
Clean my
bathroom
Pay bills
Do some financial
planning
Do all kinds
of planning!
Set out
things to make dinner, pull meat out of the freezer to thaw
Bake
something
Make pizza dough
Prepare
things to start a craft or sewing project
Finish up a
craft or sewing project
Sew a set of
pillowcases
Bake mini
muffins
Give myself
a manicure
Give myself
a pedicure
Write a
letter
Send a card
or two
Mail a
package
Wrap a gift
Place an
online order
List
something to sell on eBay or Etsy
Go to the
grocery store
Run an
errand on the way to work
I find I am
definitely more productive in the morning now and that things seem to take less
time to get done too. That could be
because the girls are still in bed and I have no interruptions. Or that my energy level is better in the
morning. The house is nice and quiet too.
In the
evening when I get home I feel like I am much more freed up, which is
especially helpful on evening the girls have after school activities. It leaves more time to spend with the girls
and help them with chores and anything else they need too. I'm more relaxed too because I don't feel
pressed to be getting other things done.
I shower or
bathe at night and then I'm in bed by 10:00 p.m. I knew going into this that I would need to
go to bed earlier than I was so I didn't get over tired and become too exhausted. As a result I find I am actually sleeping
better at night and feeling ready to wake and get up in the morning.
On the
weekends I sleep in a bit longer, but I find by 6:30 I'm ready to go. Kind of crazy, huh?
So do you
want to be more productive? How about
getting up a little earlier?
Hi. I've time on my hands and am indulging in reading lots of frugal blogs. I especially like your blog as it's quite 'domestic-y' - my favourite, so thanks for writing. I have finally figured out that getting to bed in a timely manner is key. I often find my self 'too tired to go to bed'. I should try having my shower/bath in the early evening and get ready for bed before I get tired. It's often hard to find that last big push of energy to actually get to bed...if that makes any sense?! I could get up earlier, more rested and have a 'power hour' too. Best wishes, Rose (UK)
ReplyDeleteHi Rose! I mostly shower or bathe in the evenings and crawl in my pajamas. Sometimes within an hour or two of getting home from work. I am so amazed at how much I am accomplishing in the mornings before I go to work. Take care!
ReplyDelete