If you are like most people, you may find that you are always short on time.  Finding extra time in an already busy day can be difficult. To help with this, I have come up with three ways you can maximize your mornings and add time to your days.

One of the first tips I have is to wake up a half an hour earlier than you normally do. Mornings are often the most productive hours of the day because you are fresh and alert. If you add extra time to your morning, this will generally free up time in the evenings when you might be a bit more tired.

For many people getting up half an hour earlier might seem like a difficult task. One way you can gradually work into this is by getting up earlier in increments. You can start by just getting up ten minutes earlier and once you become accustomed to that, then you can increase the time another 10 minutes until it is easier to get up 30 minutes earlier.

You can use the extra time in the morning in a variety of ways. You might decide to use the time for meditation, yoga or exercise. Another option is to plan out the day and create a vision of how you want the day to go. This can be a great way to increase your motivation and help you achieve your goals.

When you start waking up earlier it is generally best not to let too many people know about it. This allows you to have some time that is private and uninterrupted. You also want to avoid giving yourself excuses to sleep in; this will help you establish a habit that will last.

The second tip has to do with your alarm and the snooze button. Many people hit snooze automatically when the alarm goes off. This can often lead to time being wasted. It is better for you to set your alarm for the exact time you want to get up. Once the alarm goes off, get up immediately and start your day. This can help ensure you don’t fall back asleep, or worse, just lie in bed and count the minutes since the alarm last went off.

Finally, don’t reach for your phone first thing. When you grab your phone to see what has happened since you last checked it, your frame of mind often switches into a reactive state. Instead of being in charge of your day, you may be trying to play catch up. This is often counterproductive. It can also trigger stress and anxiety.

The worst culprit tends to be when you check social media first thing in the morning. Many times, this can end up wasting a good amount of time that may or may not be important in accomplishing the goals you have for the day or week. Generally, it is better to look at social media later in the day after you have a clear picture of what you want to achieve during the day.

By taking control of your day when you first wake up and planning what you want to do rather than reacting to other, your day can be more positive and productive.

Blessings,
Phyliss