Simple Ways To Streamline Your Workday Mornings

When it comes to managing the hectic weekday mornings, a little bit of planning goes a long way. I know this from personal experience. As a natural night owl, I've found it MUCH easier to prepare the night before rather than relying on my early morning minutes to do everything that needs to be done.

If you can relate, check out a few tips that have been game-changers for me:

Have your kids pack their lunches for school the night before and keep them in the fridge. I don't have kids, but if I'm going to have a really busy day and won't have time to get out for lunch, this is a life-saver. Also, if you're trying to eat more healthfully, this is a non-brainer way to make sure you have a healthy lunch option on hand.

Pre-pack your briefcase, backpacks, and/or diaper bag the night before, too. There's nothing worse than losing your mind trying to find those must-have items when you're already having a frantic morning. Get them ready so you and your family can just grab them and go.

Decide what you're going to wear the evening before. This may be the most important time-saver I've encountered. I tend to move very slowly in deciding what to put on my body in the morning. Laying out my clothes the night before saves copious amounts of time.

Unpopular opinion: Set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier. I know you don't want to hear that, but it makes a huge difference. I know those last few minutes when you cozy in your bed feel priceless, but those post-snooze button moments won't help you feel any better. Even if you just get up and have your coffee while doing nothing else will help you feel calmer throughout your day.

What other ways do you prepare to make your workday mornings go more smoothly?