Thursday, May 12, 2016

Zero Hour


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?



2 comments:

  1. 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)

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  2. Hi 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!

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