Cheers to another post here on the blog. Throughout my Motivational Monday series I usually share some type of story from my personal experiences in hopes of helping someone else. This time around, I wanted to switch things up  and share how I have been managing my time to make my mornings easy before my daily commute

Even if you’re not a commuter you should find something helpful within this post. As I am in my mid-20s, I’m adulting as best as I can from working 5 days a week, 40 hours, paying bills, yet trying to manage time for myself and others. Yeah, adulting is not all that. What I have learned, in order to stay on track and to save time each morning, I have to prepare.

Sounds basic right? Well, duh Lakia, getting ready at night would save time. Well, I’ve known this for years. Even throughout high school I knew this, but that doesn’t mean that I always did it. I commute nearly an hour to work every day and this past week I found myself scrambling every morning and forgetting something all because I didn’t prepare myself.

Here’s how I get ready for the week:

• Grocery shopping is done Saturday. Meal prep happens Saturday and Sunday. My meal prep includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks. (This takes the most time.)
• I create outfits that I would like to wear throughout the week and move them to the front of my office.
• I plan out my week every Sunday. My daily planner is just a running to do list, but my weekly planner which I keep at home pin points specific days.

Having everything laid out and everything in its place allows me to wake up, get ready, and head out of the door with ease.

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

As cliche as that quote is, I’ve learned first hand on numerous occasions that lack of preparation doesn’t end well. In taking the time prepare for my week, I have reduced the hustle and bustle of my mornings.

As for managing my time at night, of course the first thing I want to do when I get home is absolutely NOTHING! I have put myself into a routine of working out, not eating past 9pm, and being asleep by midnight.

All in all, to effectively manage my time I have had to readjust and program my body to a new schedule. It’s a work in progress, BUT it’s essential!

Want to read more?

Check out the entire Motivational Monday series here.