Create Your ‘Organized Life Morning Routine’ [Mission #21]

Get Organized And Enjoy The Morning More

Welcome to Mission #21 of our 52 Get Organized Missions.

Last week we created your personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine. This week we’ll create one for the morning.

Having an Organized Life Morning Routine will help you face each day – and the world – with a sense of confidence, order, and motivation.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here: 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #21: Create Your Organized Life Morning Routine

Step 1: Make a list of what you need to do each morning

I suggest you write, or type and print out, your list (or use the suggestions below and print out this post). Tape it to the bathroom mirror or somewhere you’ll see it each morning, to remind you of things to check off so you enjoy a calm, organized and productive day.

Include in your Organized Life Morning Routine the things that help you start the day looking and feeling good. I’ve categorized by zone, but create your routine in the order you perform the tasks. Here are some ideas:

Fuel Up

  • Have breakfast
  • Make lunches, snacks, etc
  • Put lunch/snack in bag/briefcase/backpack
  • Load dishwasher/wash breakfast dishes
  • Wipe down table, surfaces used, and the sink
    [Tip: A tidy kitchen will brighten your mood when you get home]

Do Your Ablutions & Grooming

  • Shower
    [Tip: Use products that smell nice and feel pampery to give yourself a mini spa treat every day]
  • Clean your nails with a nail brush
  • Brush your teeth [Tip: Brush your tongue too]
  • Shave (dudes)
  • Style your hair
    [Tip: Ask your hairdresser for a cut that looks good with minimal styling time and effort]
  • Apply make up (girls)
    [Tip: Keep it simple – you’ll save time every morning and avoid ‘touch ups’ all afternoon]
  • Hang up towels
  • Put make up, hair products, etc away

Dress

  • Choose an outfit that looks and feels good
    [Tip: Only keep items in your closet that look and feel good]
  • Check your labels are tucked in, zips done all the way up, etc
  • Put away any clothes left out
  • Stand up nice and straight and smile when you check your reflection in the mirror

Personal Organization

  • Make the bed
    [Tip: A nicely made bed will lift your mood as you start and as you end your day]
  • Check your diary
    [Tip: Knowing what’s ahead can help you feel like you’re starting the day prepared]

Check Your Remember-To-Take Checklist

  • Keys
  • Wallet
  • PDA
  • Cell phone
  • Handbag, briefcase, tote, backpack
  • Coat, jacket, cardigan
  • Special items for meetings, etc
  • Money/tokens for tickets, tolls, etc

Step 2: Time yourself tomorrow

Tomorrow, complete your Organized Life Morning Routine and notice how long it takes. That’s how long you need to allow yourself each morning.

Step 3: Use the Organized Life Morning Routine each day

Every day, follow your Organized Life Morning Routine. Make it a habit.

You’ll start the morning well because of your Organized Life Bedtime Routine. Use this routine to move the whole day that way!

Dos & Don’ts

  • Don’t turn this into an daily ordeal. Be quick and spritely. Have upbeat music on if it helps.
  • Do remind yourself that the time you spend each morning on this ritual will more than pay for itself in a greater sense of confidence, order, and motivation throughout the day.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

  • Create an Organized Life Morning Routine for each child. It will both save time and teach the kids valuable personal organization skills.
  • Depending on their age, many or all of the listed items above could apply. If age-appropriate, give them a printed copy to follow in the mornings.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Before You Go – Please Check In, And Send Photos!

Please add a comment at the bottom of this post to let your mission-mates know you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

We’d love to add your before and after snaps to the 52 Organizing Missions Hall of Fame. Please send photos to: Photos@GetOrganizedWizard.com

And see you back here next week!

Did You Know

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Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filtran/ / CC BY 2.0]

Michele | Get Organized Gal

Michele is into writing, books, simplicity, love, TV, productivity, and staying thin in a world of chocolate.

32 thoughts on “Create Your ‘Organized Life Morning Routine’ [Mission #21]”

  1. Helen says:

    Morning routine is useful. Reason? I have only one, but invincible: it helps you have a fresh, strong start, and that makes your day better from the beginning. I even have a list of things-to-do, printed on my bedroom door, which i check each time i want to step out my door. ( even when i am not going to the office:P). So, people .. Get Organized!

  2. Helen says:

    Morning routine is useful. Reason? I have only one, but invincible: it helps you have a fresh, strong start, and that makes your day better from the beginning. I even have a list of things-to-do, printed on my bedroom door, which i check each time i want to step out my door. ( even when i am not going to the office:P). So, people .. Get Organized!

  5. Lydia says:

    I really like the idea of the Remember-To-Take-List. I have a dry erase board where I write my Morning Routine To-Do List and it’s very helpful. I am going to implement a Remember-To-Take-List as well.

    I have also been working on my personal organization. I the kind of person that believes everything has a place and there is a place for everything. In the morning, I use to leave my flat irons on the sink along with my hair products, but now I immediately put those items away. Same with the ironing board and iron. Personally, I don’t have a problem with iron being out in a standard place, but my husband appreciates it more if it’s put away. I have compromised on this.

    I am a creatively expressive person and I love to show this in the way that I dress. I feel that I should be well put together everyday. Dress for success, higher pay, my own business etc. So, I do this consciously everyday. The right accessories, proper makeup, the right heels, the right bag, etc. This allows me to creatively express myself for work. Consequently, I am such a tomboy. I love chuck taylors, sweats, t-shirts and hoodies of all different colors, but I know for work my personal appearance is of importance. Whether we like it or not, people have impressions of who we are and how we carry ourselves. I try to make sure to carry myself favorably.

  6. Lydia says:

    I really like the idea of the Remember-To-Take-List. I have a dry erase board where I write my Morning Routine To-Do List and it’s very helpful. I am going to implement a Remember-To-Take-List as well.

    I have also been working on my personal organization. I the kind of person that believes everything has a place and there is a place for everything. In the morning, I use to leave my flat irons on the sink along with my hair products, but now I immediately put those items away. Same with the ironing board and iron. Personally, I don’t have a problem with iron being out in a standard place, but my husband appreciates it more if it’s put away. I have compromised on this.

    I am a creatively expressive person and I love to show this in the way that I dress. I feel that I should be well put together everyday. Dress for success, higher pay, my own business etc. So, I do this consciously everyday. The right accessories, proper makeup, the right heels, the right bag, etc. This allows me to creatively express myself for work. Consequently, I am such a tomboy. I love chuck taylors, sweats, t-shirts and hoodies of all different colors, but I know for work my personal appearance is of importance. Whether we like it or not, people have impressions of who we are and how we carry ourselves. I try to make sure to carry myself favorably.

  15. LorenaHeletea says:

    Such great advice my dear.
    Every success in life starts with being more organized,more focused.
    It is very hard to move around or to make clever decisions while in chaos.
    Have a phenomenal day.
    LorenaHeletea

  16. LorenaHeletea says:

    Such great advice my dear.
    Every success in life starts with being more organized,more focused.
    It is very hard to move around or to make clever decisions while in chaos.
    Have a phenomenal day.
    LorenaHeletea

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