I am soooo not a morning person. For me, waking up is a daily struggle that entails hitting the snooze button in rapid succession (why does 5 minutes fly by so quickly when snoozing, but a minute lasts a dang hour on my treadmill?); waking up and lying in bed thinking about how much I hate having to get up; finally getting up and then being mad at myself for lying in bed so long that I don’t have time to do a decent job on my hair and makeup. I go through this pattern every.single.day. Well, I did…at least until I decided to change my morning routine so that I am much more productive from the moment my feet hit the floor, till I’m walking out the door!
Before I changed my routine, Monday’s were always the worst. After sleeping in late over the weekend, it can be sooo hard to get back into the groove for the work week. I’ve found that these Monday Motivation tips I’m going to share, really help me to start my week on the right foot. I don’t rush as much; I get to work on time (and looking much more polished, to boot); and I even get to take the time to relish my morning Latte, instead of drinking it in desperation! I hope you enjoy these Monday Motivation tips! If you have any to add, please share them in the comments below! ?
The Morning Of:
Stop hitting snooze
Seriously. Just don’t do it. And I’m saying this as someone who has an iPhone alarm set to go off every 5 minutes over the course of an hour! ? But pressing the snooze button can sometimes send you back into deep or even REM sleep, which will leave you feeling even groggier and disconnected when you finally do wake up. I have gotten past this habit by immediately sitting up in bed as soon as my alarm goes off, and putting both feet on the floor. I may take some time to sit on the edge of my bed and stretch/do neck rolls, but generally, placing both of my feet on the floor gives me the willpower to push up, and actually get out of bed! #simplebuteffective
Water
The colder the better. Get a Yeti (or a cheaper version), and fill it with ice and water (bonus points if you add lemon) and put it on your nightstand before bed. When you wake up the next morning, your water will still be icy, and crisp! Take a few sips immediately after you wake up, and your body will feel energized and refreshed within minutes!
Coffee
If you’re not a morning person, and you don’t jump out of bed humming a tune, while birds and woodland creatures come to make your bed and help you get dressed…welcome to my life! If I didn’t have caffeine (in the form of a French Vanilla Latte with extra vanilla thankyouverymuch), I would not make it past 10:30am. Drink responsibly: don’t go spending $5 on Starbucks everyday if it’s not in your budget (McDonald’s has great coffee for $1…I’m just sayin’), but for reals, get some caffeine in you if you need the jolt! The amount of caffeine in a cup of joe has been shown to increase alertness, productivity, and increase focus, and shouldn’t cause too much jitters, especially if you just stick to 1 or 2 cups!
Breakfast
While you’re having that aforementioned coffee, try to sit down and have a quick meal! Breakfast is critical for helping you have enough energy to tackle your day! Even if you don’t have time for the American staples of bacon’n’eggs, there are sooo many breakfast-on-the-go options these days! Try some Greek Yogurt! Easy to eat while commuting, and the high protein content will keep hunger at bay, at least until lunch! Other quick options include breakfast bars, fruit and veggie smoothies, instant oatmeal, and my tried and true: cereal and milk in a red Solo cup! Easy to eat, and disposable!
Get to work a little earlier
How much earlier is up to you, but I think 15 minutes is a good start. This is especially helpful on Monday’s. The extra time will allow you to go over your calendar, check any lingering voicemails, clean up and prepare your workspace (if needed), and if so inclined, talk to God about how you want your week to go! I also love to listen to motivational podcasts in the morning right before work, and getting to work early is a great time for fitting that in! Right now, I’m listening to the Becoming Fearless Style Collective Podcast!
The Night Before:
Get your clothes together at night!
I sooo feel like my mother right now. I never thought I’d see this day, but y’all…our moms were right! By taking just a few moments to pick out my clothes at night, iron them, and choose shoes/accessories, I cut out so much time in the mornings, that allows me to eat breakfast and effectively plan my day! I actually timed this, and realized that I save about 15 minutes.
Put all critical items by the door
Don’t waste precious time in the morning hunting for car keys, looking for your coffee cup, or trying to find your purse. If you have a garage (or you feel it’s safe) go ahead and put your purse, briefcase or any necessities in the car the night before. Otherwise, stash everything by the door so it’s quick to pick up! I also like to keep an umbrella by the door as well.
Jot down your to-do’s
This tip really helps me in the mornings! I used to use my phone to take notes, but I’ve recently gotten into using planners. The one I’m currently using is by JF Planners, and I love it because it’s so simple. Some of the bloggers I follow have gorgeous planners, that they color code, use stickers, special markers, etc. I’m sure I’ll get there eventually, but for now, I’m just enjoying the difference in actually taking the time to write things down, and how much more I actually stick to the list after I’ve done so!
See ya next time!
September 11, 2017 at 9:03 am
This was a really helpful article. I have hit the snooze button way too much in life!
September 11, 2017 at 10:36 am
Thanks! Me too! ?
September 11, 2017 at 9:34 am
Love the post. Helpful tips for Monday Mornings.?
September 11, 2017 at 9:49 am
This is a super helpful list! I used to never hit the snooze but I’ve been bad recently and it throws my day off so badly. And I always make a to-do list!
September 11, 2017 at 10:38 am
It’s easy to get caught up in that cycle! I always joke that the bed feels its absolute best between the hours of 5am and 8am!
September 11, 2017 at 9:51 am
If you can hit the snooze button, you may as well get up. I live by by watching the weather report and preparing the night before.
September 11, 2017 at 10:39 am
Watching the weather channel is a great tip! Thanks for sharing that!
September 11, 2017 at 10:26 am
loved the post and the pictures you selected! LOVE your blog, following from now on!
xx
lau.
http://www.malibluemymind.com
September 11, 2017 at 10:41 am
Thank you so much! ? I’ll return the favor!
September 13, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Thank you so much! Following as well! ?
September 11, 2017 at 10:35 am
I love your blog banner! I don’t drink coffee so survive on water, its amazing how more awake I feel after a few glasses! xx
September 11, 2017 at 11:58 am
these are all excellent tips…personally as soon as the alarm rings i try to get myself up and about!
September 13, 2017 at 9:05 pm
I’m working on it! One of these days I will just be able to jump right up! ?
September 11, 2017 at 1:58 pm
I love the tips on water & coffee! I know that sounds so basic, but strangely they are two things I do EVERY morning that I actually look forward to! When I have that first glass, weirdly, I know my day is off on the right foot. Great post & SO NECESSARY on this Monday!! x Shannon || http://www.champagneatshannons.com
September 13, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Thanks for your comment! Glad you enjoyed the post. Yaaassss…water will get it done!
September 11, 2017 at 3:47 pm
Woof. I need to listen to these tips for Monday mornings since I was a few minutes late to work today!
September 11, 2017 at 7:47 pm
This is so true, I know this story all too well. I agree, hitting the snooze only makes things horrible as I hate not going to work half done. I’ve turned that into my motivation to get up… I love getting dressed so that my motivation not to snooze in the morning. Also that’s a great tip about he water. thanks much for sharing.
September 11, 2017 at 10:58 pm
Such great tips! enjoyed reading this post girly! love every bit of it!
Courtney Bentley || http://www.starsystemz.com
September 13, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Thank you so much!!! ?
September 11, 2017 at 11:08 pm
Great tips! I am so doing that yeti and lemon ice water and sitting up when the alarm goes off! I love the Becoming Fearless Podcast, I need to get caught up.
Jen
http://www.styleinshape.com
September 12, 2017 at 9:07 am
Thanks for the tips! Enjoyed reading this 🙂
September 12, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Thanks for sharing this! I’m not a morning person myself so your tips were so necessary!
xo, Ilse
http://www.livelearnluxeit.com
September 12, 2017 at 9:10 pm
I loved reading your tips! I always just go straight for the coffee…but I like your cold water idea! I’ll have to try it! 🙂
-Lindsey from http://www.marchingwithpeoniesandpassports.com
September 16, 2017 at 1:52 am
Hello. This was a very useful post. I’m a snoozer just like you but maybe not to that extent. I have been known to out my feet on the floor and still manage to get back into bed for a little extra. What can I say, this girl likes her sleep. I don’t drink coffee (I know, I’m an alien) but I do eat breakfast every day (at work)
September 18, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Cute post and great reminders! 🙂
September 18, 2017 at 12:13 pm
Thanks for sharing your tips! I will definitely try this out next week so I’m not sitting here at work all miserable on a Monday hehe.
Much love,
Rhoxette
http://www.simplyrhoxette.com/
September 18, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Great tips, totally agree! I’m definitely bookmarking this, it’s perfect for working at home which is what I do!
September 18, 2017 at 12:41 pm
I enjoyed this post! You had me laughing as I can totally relate to over using my snooze button!! Ugh that dang sneaky little button…. It’s so tempting every fricken morning!!!
September 18, 2017 at 12:43 pm
I’m so happy I found this today! I’m sick of dreading Monday mornings – thanks for the motivation, cheers to a great week!
September 18, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Thanks for sharing! I, too, am not a morning person. Being at work at 8AM is always a struggle, but that’s what coffee is for. Love your sense of humor!
September 18, 2017 at 1:48 pm
Love this! I was never a morning person, until this summer, when I started getting up at 5 am to workout. When I realized that it gave me 5 hours of uninterrupted time for me, it was so much easier to roll out of bed when the alarm went off. 🙂
September 18, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Love!
September 18, 2017 at 10:52 pm
Loved all of these tips! And you are so right when it comes to that minute on the treadmill 😉 Thank you for sharing!
A-
September 19, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Yes!!! That treadmill minute is insane. I’ll be huffing and puffing, dripping sweat, and it’s only been 3 minutes! ???
September 19, 2017 at 7:03 am
My favorite part of this article is the tip about getting your clothes together the night before. MY OH MY how my mornings fly by when I’m not ripping apart my closet. Love this, thanks for sharing. <3
September 19, 2017 at 6:52 pm
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
September 19, 2017 at 9:20 am
I love this article and tone is just right! I’ve been getting into a routine myself lately so this was very helpful 🙂
September 19, 2017 at 6:52 pm
Thank you! It’s funny, because I had to read my own article yesterday to make myself get up on time! LOL. Monday’s are so hard!
September 19, 2017 at 8:51 pm
enjoyed the tips! 🙂
January 15, 2018 at 10:59 am
The snooze button trick has been a game-changer for me! Love this article.
January 15, 2018 at 11:02 am
Just what I needed this morning! Love it!
January 15, 2018 at 11:22 am
Love that I’m not the only one who lays things out the night before and puts things by the door!