Man! I really hate daylight savings time! This weekend was pretty exhausting, not only were we adjusting to the time change but we were also adjusting to EST after returning home from Texas on Friday. Magnolia has really struggled with the time changes, but we’re hoping the work week gets her back on schedule. Heck, I’m ready to be back on schedule.
This morning I went to OrangeTheory to kick off the work week, packed up my lunch, and left the house early to get a jump start on the work day. With long days, I’ve learned how important a morning routine is. Whether working out, eating a healthy breakfast, journaling, or enjoying a hot cup of coffee/tea, I’ve found that it’s important to have a routine and to make personal wellness a focus first thing in the morning.
Having a routine at home is important, but I’ve also learned how important a routine is at work when you first get in. It sets the tone for the day and helps you to prepare mentally. Though my days are always different, I have 5 things to do in your first 10 minutes at work that always set the right tone.
1. Clean your desk – This is the very first thing I do each day and actually, it’s the last thing I do each day. Though I try to leave the office with a clean desk, I always find that I need to set it up for the day ahead when I first get in. I put away my snacks and lunch, set up my laptop, and open my notebooks.
2. Fill your water bottle – I’ve found that if I don’t fill my water bottle up first thing, I’ll go hours without drinking any water. This is a top priority in my opinion.
3. Organize yourself with a brain dump – This is my favorite method for organizing everything that’s on my mind. I start every day with a brain dump and create my to do lists off of it.
4. Make a do-to list – I’ve had to learn to make realistic to do lists. There are only so many hours in the work day and the bulk of my days are spent with students, so I have to be honest about what I can get done in a day. I try to create achievable to do lists.
5. Text or e-mail a loved one – I always love sending an early morning message to a loved one before the day gets going. Whether it’s Neal, my sister, my mom, or another family member, I love letting others know that I’m thinking of them.
