Is Your Perfectionism Ruining Your Morning Routine?

8 times out of 10, if a moment gets ruined, a perfectionist ruins it for themselves. 

Take a yoga teacher who happens to be a perfectionist.

They will likely…

• Come with a complete plan for the class

• Teach the class

• Receive praise after from students

BUT they will have criticized themselves for the whole 60 minutes about how they could be teaching better.

I know this because I've been that perfectionist yoga teacher (and I know I'm not the only one)!

For so long I thought yoga is about doing poses correctly, but it's actually about modifying poses and doing what feels good to your body and mind that day.

Probably a lesson we could apply to everything else…

~Stop ruining the moment with your perfectionism.~

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When it comes to morning routines, 8 times out of 10, we ruin the morning for ourselves.

(the other 2 times coming from an external person or situation)

I hear things like:

• "Yea I hit snooze, so the morning just went downhill from there."

• "I could only do a 30 min workout instead of 45, so I didn't really do my full routine."

• Or the BIG one: "I didn't do my routine perfectly."

There is no perfect morning routine.

It's about adjusting, adapting, and doing 1 small thing to fuel you that day.

Don't let your perfectionism stop you from enjoying your morning (or doing your routine at all).

Turn Your Vacation Morning Into Your Everyday Morning

The morning routine you wish to do on vacation is the morning routine you can do every day.

(maybe minus the beach if that's included)

I thought about this as I'm headed on 10 day family trip.

What is my ideal morning on vacation?

For me, it's getting up to

• Journal

• Have coffee while looking at a view

• Maybe do some writing or a walk

4+ years ago, I asked myself why I was waiting till vacation to do these things.

Why couldn't this be my everyday morning routine? Or at least parts of it be?

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1600+ mornings later, my ideal vacation morning routine is my everyday routine.

Yea maybe my view isn't the beach, mountains, or Eiffel Tower, but it's looking out the window to the trees with a pup right beside me.

And it's a pretty great way to start the day if I do say so myself!

I challenge you to consider:

"how can I start living my ideal vacation morning right now?"

You may be surprised how creative you can get.

Are Morning Routines A Privilege?

There's 1 subject about morning routines I've steered away from talking about, but is an important conversation.

Are morning routines a privilege?

I'm talking the morning routine where you wakeup at 5am or after to journal, workout, or have a moment to yourself before you start work.

Is there privilege in…

• Choosing what time you wakeup?

• Choosing what you want to do in the morning?

• A schedule, responsibilities, and a body that allows you to get enough sleep?

• Working typical 9-5 or flexible hours?

• Having financial or people support to watch over those you care for while you take time for yourself

My or your situation may make morning routines more accessible than someone else's situation.

This is important to recognize, find gratitude, and not take for granted.

It also makes me wonder how we can make morning routines more accessible for those who want a moment to themselves?

Does it come from…

• Companies having a flexible start time for work?

• Educating people on the morning routine options?

• Providing support to parents and caregivers so they can have a moment to themselves?

• Reminding people that they're worth getting out of bed for

For you -

Maybe this conversation gives you gratitude for your situation, a kick in the butt to not take it for granted, and grace for others' situation.

For me -

Amongst the many articles on morning routine tips and benefits, the conversation around accessibility is something I would like to explore more.

3 Questions To Feel Confident In Doing The Life Part of Work/Life Balance

Some of the best employees are scared to do the "life" part of work/life balance.

In the past week, I've been asked…

By an intern:

Do you check emails before you go to bed?

By a VP:

Do you answer a call from an executive while on PTO?

My typical answer: "it depends what's going on."

3 questions to help get clear on what "it depends" means:

1. Is there a specific problem you need to address?

2. Is this something only you can address?

3. Does addressing work right now mean you won't miss any quality time with people, sleep, etc.?

If the answers are yes:

then yes open the email, take the call!

If the answers are no:

the email or call can likely wait!

This intentionality can be a way to reduce anxiety, stress, and burnout that so many people experience.

Most notably - it's important to remember that you're a good employee and experiencing life doesn't make you less than one!

3 Decisions Successful Leaders Make About Their Morning Routine

Sometimes we forget there is a human behind successful leaders.

Behind the fancy accolades and job titles is someone…

• waking up

• turning off the alarm

• making the decision of what the first moments of the day are going to look like

I recently came across this Balancing The Grind article about morning routines of successful leaders.

(people like Sara Blakely, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Gary Vaynerchuk)

Here are the 3 decisions they make about their morning routine:

 —

1) Being aware

When asked what their morning routine entails, no one is saying "not sure."

They're aware of what they do in the morning and are pretty specific about it.

Makes you think this awareness translates into their success in the business world.

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2) Being intentional

They have a reason for why they do the things they do.

Whether it's working out or "putting around," there is a reason they do it, and it’s usually because there isn't another time in the day they're going to get to do it.

—

3) Taking control

These leaders are starting their morning on their terms. 

They aren't saying "I have to do XYZ."

Instead, they say "I like to do XYZ."

It's the mindset of taking control of not only your morning, but your life.

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1 MORE THING

When looking at people we admire, before we adopt the tactics they use, I like to consider if I value the same things as them.

More specifically how our time is spent.

With family, friends, working, exercising, etc.

What we do comes from what we value, and if we don't value the same things, we don't need to do the same things.

3 Ways To Embrace Your PTO

Vacation & PTO season is upon us (woo!)

How do we actually take time off from work, be present, & feel good about going on vacation?

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1) Turn off email & chat notifications on your phone

If you can, turn off your work email and notifications on your phone.

That way YOU get to decide if you want to look a work emails/chats, instead of someone else deciding for you.

I also know some people who use vacation as a social media detox, or limit social media to only when they're in their hotel room so they can be fully present for the experiences.

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2) Continue your morning routine

Vacation usually involves different workout, eating, drinking, socializing, and sleep habits, leaving us feeling a little off.

If there was any time to do a morning routine, it really is on vacation!

Plan an "anchor activity" like meditation or journaling in the morning so you have 1-5 minutes to yourself.

This will recharge your social battery and keep you feeling like yourself.

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3) Take an extra day off when coming back from vacation

I have not done this before, but want to try it if I have enough PTO!

I know some people who take an extra day off to catch up on work email, get personal things done (like groceries), & get organized after coming back from vacation.

May allow you enjoy the entirety of the vacation and calm those extreme Sunday Scaries when coming back.

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Want to setup your morning routine before going on vacation? Or work on it when you get back?

Let’s book a time on the calendar to chat about it! I have a few free spots left this month :)

How To Create Your Landing Pads

I talk a lot about being "more than your career," but what does that actually look like? 

1 thing I usually bring up in this conversation is creating your Life Pie.

3-5 sections of your life (ex: work, family, health). Can be what it currently looks like or what you want it to look like.

But what you're actually creating when you have more pie pieces than just work are "Landing Pads."

Landing Pads are other places to get our happiness, support, worth, identity, and more.

My favorite Landing Pads have been

• Journaling

• Close friends

• Working out

• My business

These are no longer just hobbies, habits, or "things" on my calendar.

They're Landing Pads!

So if you're contemplating whether to…

• Start that podcast

• Pickup the journal

• Go to the event to meet new people

• (Insert anything you’ve been meaning to do, but haven’t)

…don't think of these just as hobbies, habits, or "things" to add to your calendar.

These are Landing Pads you're creating for yourself!

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I'm on a mission to help new college grads create "Landing Pads" for themselves!

My Post Grad Guide To Being More Than Your Career is available now.

3 Ways A Morning Routine Impacts Your Career

Let's throw out all the traditional reasons to have a morning routine for just a second.

If you're a 9-5 worker, here are 3 reasons why a morning routine actually matters:

—

1) When you get the Sunday scaries about work on Monday…

You have your morning routine of journaling or working out planned so you can wakeup for YOU instead of work

—

2) When you have a rushed morning…

You have an Anchor Activity, something you do each morning to pause & checkin, to slow down and decide who you're and who you're going to be.

(A quick & easy Anchor is 5 deep breaths in the car before stepping into work)

—

3) The person you show up as at work determines if…

• People are going to trust you in a business aspect (more likely to trust a calm & collected person vs. a rushed & scattered person)

• Want to be around you in a people aspect (the calm person is more approachable than the frantic person)

So how do you build these into your morning routine?

1) When picking what to do in the morning, ask yourself,

• what is something easy you could do for 1-5 minutes to ground yourself (this is your ANCHOR)

• what do you crave

• what would you do in the morning if you were on vacation (yes you can do that now, minus the beach)

• what's something you want to do that you're too tired after work to do

2) To get rid of the rush

• Once you have something planned that is worth waking up for, you're more likely to get out of bed

• Attach your Anchor to something you already do, like brushing your teeth

• Time block your morning so you have checkin points of when you need to move onto getting dressed or making breakfast

3) Use your morning routine to push your career forward

• Journal or walk to get clarity & manifest where you want your career to go

• Do something besides work to take the stress & pressure off of working determining your worth & happiness (I call this "diversifying your happiness")

3 Essential Routine Shifts To Make If You Want To Pursue New Interests & Be More Than Your Work

If you're an ambitious 20-something, you may have reached the point where you want to do more than work, scroll social, and drink with friends.

How do you pursue other interests and expand your identity? 

(Especially when we're stuck in our ways and too tired from work to do anything else)

3 Essential Routine Shifts To Make If You Want To Pursue New Interests & Be More Than Your Work

1) Do something for yourself BEFORE work

There's something about waking up for yourself vs. for work.

Establish some kind of morning routine, like walking or reading, so you choose you before work.

2) Journal about things you're curious about

If you haven't journaled before because you don't know what to say, answer the question, "what am I curious about?"

Start listing those things out.

If you find yourself thinking about 1 more than others, that may be the thing to research more or start pursuing.

Pro tip: do this at the time of day you feel the most creative or expressive (ex: morning vs. night).

3) Change your default activity AFTER work

 If your default or go-to after work is sitting on the couch, maybe change your default to a walk or workout class.

 Decide the night before what you're going to do so you remove decision-making after work, making you more likely to do it.

 Also makes you consider what your other "defaults" are in life. It can be a good reflection point if you’re proud of the life you're living.

3 Ways To Create Work/Life Balance As A Remote Worker

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I remember reaching my breaking point.

I once got so frustrated with work, I didn't want to even bring my phone into my bedroom.

Not charge your phone next to your bed what?

But I needed a break.

Because nowadays, work happens everywhere.

• The gym

• On a walk with the dog

• At dinner with grandma

• While laying in bed

When we give our attention to an email or chat message, we are bringing work into that space.

So if we want work to stay at work and be present for our personal lives, we need to think about WHERE work occurs.

3 ways to create work/life balance as a remote worker:

— 

1) Identify a Command Center

This is the designated spot where you work, and nowhere else.

This allows you to keep work in 1 spot so you can be present for work and then be present for your life in other spaces.

For most of us, our Command Center is our desks, but work often spills over to the couch or kitchen where our personal lives occur.

Identify a Command Center.

Or look at it in the opposite way, identify "no work zones" in your life.

—

2) Signify a starting and ending of work

This allows work to not occur at all hours of the day.

Signify the start by:

• Going to your command center

• Opening the laptop

• Changing clothes or putting shoes on

Signify the end by:

• Leaving your command center

• Putting the laptop in a drawer

• Changing into other clothes

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3) Remove work notifications from your phone's home screen

Don't need to remove the apps from your phone, but turn off the notifications from your home screen.

That way you get to choose IF and WHEN you check email and bring work into that space.

You decide what has your attention vs. someone else deciding for you.

—

If you want or need to be accessible at all times, then yes work occurs everywhere.

But not being accessible at all times doesn't make you a bad employee.

It makes you an intentional one.

Just comes down to who you want to be.

A worker or a human who happens to work.

—

If you want support and accountability with keeping work at work, let’s chat!

I open up a few 15-min spots on my schedule each week to chat with people about their habits and work/life balance!

Feel free to grab completely free :)

3 Ways To Make Time For Reflection Before Work

In 2018, I thought my 30 minute commute to work every day was going to be the biggest waste of time. 

Looking back, those were some of the most valuable moments of my early 20s.

The biggest thing I discovered:

Time for reflection isn't important, it's ESSENTIAL

It's the a moment to say to myself "here's who I am and who I want to be" so the world doesn't end up deciding for me.

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3 ways making time for reflection ended up impacting my life:

1) I decided I was going to start blogging vs. be the person who falls into scrolling social every day after work.

2) My go-to at a social event was going to be a mocktail vs. everyone else ordering cocktails so I could manage my anxiety better

3) I was going to have business AND a full time job vs. the following the entrepreneurship measure of success of "getting out of your job as fast as possible.”

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I'd like to say I intentionally found the time to reflect, but I kind of fell into it with these long drives.

If you haven't found reflection time, 3 ideas for you:

-The drive to work

-Journaling before work

-Taking a walk before you sit down to work from home

Those 30 minutes could be the difference between you vs. the world deciding who you're and who you're going to be.

—

If you want help in making time for reflection, let’s chat about it!

I open up a few 15-min spots on my schedule each week to chat with people about their routines!

Feel free to grab completely free :)

3 Essential Routine Shifts To Make When Getting A Dog (or Experiencing Any Life Change)

My co-workers have been lovingly laughing at me.

 I got my puppy Maisy almost 6 weeks ago and she has turned my life upside down.

As someone who likes routine, it's been disrupted by:

• waking up 2x a night to let her out

• morning starts with her first, then me

• interrupting what I'm doing to get whatever it is out of her mouth or let her outside

My co-workers with kids and dogs lovingly smile as I tell them this when I walk into the office, as I am starting to empathize with what they go through.

To look at the bright side, I'm learning some new, important routine tactics.

3 essential routine shifts to make when getting a dog (or experiencing any life change):

—

1) Be thankful for the good habits you've already established

The good habits I already have in place ground me and make me feel like I'm in at least a little bit of control while this big change is going on (even if I don't get to do all of them).

The good habits I have already have remind me of who I am before being becoming a dog mom.

AKA start good habits now!

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2) Do not force it, sync to what is craved

But not all the habits are going to be EXACTLY the same as before, and don't force them to be.

In the morning, I tried taking care of myself and then her.

NOPE

Maisy has her highest energy in the morning.

My morning was so much easier when I tended to her and then went on with my morning.

Just like we need to sync our routine to how our brain/body operate, who knew we also needed to sync to our dogs.

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3) Add time buffers

Let me repeat that, ADD TIME BUFFERS

Everything is going to take longer, especially starting out:

• mornings

• getting out the door

• basically any task as it can be interrupted with a puppy needing to go out or chewing on something they aren't supposed to

Give yourself extra time to do everything so you aren't showing up frantically late all the time.

Because showing up as the calm & present person may also require giving yourself a little extra time & grace.

Also - thank goodness she's cute!

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If you happen to be going through a life change too, let’s chat about it!

I open up a few 15-min spots on my schedule each week to chat with people about their routines!

Feel free to grab completely free :)

12 Step Checklist To A Calm & Productive Schedule

I made a 12 step checklist to a calm & productive schedule that I keep coming back to.

For the past 4+ years, I’ve studied morning routines & time management diligently and the amount of information can be overwhelming.

So the Time Management Checklist was born:

1. Identify the person you want to be

   Who do you want to be? How do you want to show up. Present, calm, someone with boundaries, responsive, etc.

2. Do the Life Pie exercise

   Split your life into 3-5 pieces (ex: health, family, work). Get really clear on what these are. This not only determines where your time is spent, but where your happiness is coming from.

3. Time block

   Take your pie pieces and time block where they’re happening in your week. Example: family time happens after work, workout time is in the morning. If it doesn’t have a time block, it’s probably not happening.

4. Aligned with what you crave

   Is your schedule aligned with how your body/brain operates? If you brain works best in the morning, maybe that is the time to work on that dream business. If your body has the most energy in the morning, maybe that’s the time to workout. This limits the amount you’re FORCING yourself to do something.

5. Beginner mode

   Is your schedule set to beginner mode? Do you have habits or things on the schedule that feel manageable and sustainable, and won’t lead to burnout? For example: if you normally wake up at 7am, but tell yourself you’re going to start waking up at 5am to workout, you’re going BEAST MODE instead of BEGINNER mode. First try waking up 15 minutes earlier and then work your way up so that 5am becomes a lifestyle change, instead of a short term goal.

6. Wind down time & activities

   It takes longer than we think to get our brains to shut down for bed. Instead of having a bedtime, have a wind down time 1-2 hours before bed to get your brain to slow down. That could include not working, leisurely reading, or journaling. Anything that prepares you to be ready to sleep when bedtime comes around.

7. Sleep buffer

   The goal isn’t to rush in the morning, so why rush out of bed? Here’s your permission to give yourself a sleep buffer or 15 minutes to leisurely wake up. This is also a good benchmark if you’re someone who continually hits snooze.

8. Rest days

   This is scheduling unscheduled time. This is time to reset, relax, or maybe get caught up on something that didn’t get finished this week. Creating more flexibility and rejuvenation in your schedule.

9. Special spots

   This is designating a special spot for each thing you do. Where do you work? Where do you sleep? Say your Special Spot for work is your desk. That means your desk is where you go to focus on work, and maybe not scroll social. Likewise, that means work doesn’t occur in bed. The purpose of this is designating a place you can be fully present for what you’re doing, and your brain can easily switch into the mindset it needs to be in.

10. Phone settings aligned

    Are your phone settings aligned with the person you want to be? Are they aligned with your Special Spots? For example, if you want to be present, maybe you limit the notifications popping up on your home screen. Or maybe work emails only get checked at your desk, and not when you’re at the gym.

11. Routine options

    Give yourself options for routine so you’re more likely to do it. For example: you could have a go-to-the-office morning routine that is a little shorter, and a work-from-home morning routine that is a little longer. It doesn’t need to look exactly the same every day and you can give yourself options.

12. Anchor activity

    Have an Anchor Activity for yourself, or something you do for 2-5 minutes each morning no matter. This could be journaling or taking 5 deep breaths. The purpose is to show up and check-in with yourself. It doesn’t always have to be all or nothing when it comes to your morning routine.

Reminder - you don’t need to integrate all of these at once.

Pick 1 that resonates the most right now and start integrating into your schedule.

I have the full 1-pager checklist if you want to download & save for later!

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Need guidance on which 1 to get started with?

I open a few 15-min spots on my schedule each week to chat with people about their morning routine & schedule (for free)! Feel free to grab one before they’re gone :)

#1 Way I Started Customizing My Life

The first time I realized I could customize my life was when I chose to be sober curious.

I knew I didn’t want to be sober, but I didn’t want to drink all the time or have those hang-xiety mornings.

So sober curious it was - drinking on occasion.

This showed me:

• I didn’t have to pick either extreme

• I didn’t have to do what everyone else was doing

• How incredibly empowering it was to live on your own terms

2+ years into being sober curious, it has given me the confidence to:

1. Start customizing other parts of my life

2. Unapologetically get super specific about how I want to spend my time

To name a few examples:

• The house with minimal yard - because I don’t want to spend a lot of time on yard work right now

• A business that is primarily marketed through writing, instead of video - because I know I would keep writing even if no one read it (can’t say the same with video)

• A schedule with minimal travel - because I love my routine & would rather spend money on my home

• A job that allows me to choose when I go to the office - because it provides the flexibility I need to become the well-rounded person I want to be

Things don’t have to be black or white, and there are more options than you way think!

An easy way to start customizing your life?

Each morning, take 5 mins to write down the super specific things you want and how you want your time spent.

Want a more organized way to go about it?

Identify the 3-5 sections of your life (health, family, job, etc.) and write specifically how you want each section to look.

But be careful - those things may just start happening, so start mentally preparing to make space for them :)

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Need someone to tell you that the things you want aren’t crazy?

I absolutely love chatting about customizing your life & time, and I have a few 15 mins spots on my schedule this week to do so if you want! Feel free to grab completely free :)

You're More Than Your Career

When I was 22, I wish someone had told me you’re allowed to be more than your career.

It was pounded into my head to do everything to get THE job.

Thankfully, I got it, but then what?

I remember dragging myself out of bed every morning to commute to my first job thinking…

“I think there is more than this”

I wanted to be:

• Healthy

• Seek out new interests

• Live an exciting, well-rounded life

I didn’t really have anyone around me showing me this.

So I had to take action for myself!

• I started with healthy habits like journaling and morning routines.

• I explored interests like strength workouts, yoga teacher training, podcasting, blogging, etc.

I started to feel in control of my life!

The biggest mindset shift that got me there?

Things can co-exist if you want them to!

• Career & side project

• Business & relationship

• Health & career

When I started believing this, I found:

• Doing my side projects made my career better

• Not escaping my job allowed me to grow my business authentically

• I could wake up for me, instead of for work

• Pursuing my interests led to finding people who had the same interests

At 22, I wish someone had told me…

• You’re more than you think

• Things can co-exist if you want them too

• You’re the designer of your life

—

I wish I had someone to show me what was possible, so hope to be that for whomever needs it!

If you want someone to talk through pursuing your interests, I have a few spots on my schedule this week available! Feel free to grab completely free :)

3 Ways I’m Finding Calm In A Hard Work Week

To my friends who are in the thick of a hard work week and looking for some relief…

Right there with ya!

This is when I tap into my learnings from the past 4+ years studying how to create a calm morning and schedule!

So here are 3 ways I’m finding CALM in a hard work week:

1) Strategically protecting my energy

2) Remembering I’m more than my career

3) Having an Anchor & prioritizing it

—

Here are the details:

1) Strategically protecting my energy

Most of my time and energy is being spent on work, so really not trying to drain myself even more.

A few ways I think about doing this:

• Limiting the number of things going on after work

• Less multi-tasking, focusing on doing 1 thing at a time

• When being a sounding board for co-workers, know your limits & when negativity is affecting your energy

Don’t worry - this doesn’t mean you can’t do it all or are weak; you are just trying to show up your best during a hard time :)

2) Remembering I’m more than my career

Sometimes work needs to be THE thing right now, and that’s ok!

But I like to remind myself I’m more than my work, and my happiness & worth comes from multiple places:

• Family, friends, dogs

• Cozy home

• Exercising

• Hobbies/interests

PRO TIP: highly recommend doing the Life Pie exercise of identifying the 3-5 sections that make of your life, and seeing the many parts that make up you :)

3) Having an Anchor & prioritizing it

An Anchor Activity is something you do for 2-5 minutes in the morning before work no matter what.

Some favorite Anchor Activities my clients and I use:

• Journaling

• 5 deep breaths

• Stretching

• Writing down 3 things you’re thankful for

• Setting the 3 priorities for the day

In the busyness of it all, it’s a chance to say to myself…

“I am here and this is who I am”

…before the rest of the world gets to influence you.

And by prioritizing this day after day, you slowly become the calm, strong person that is ready to take on the day!

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If you feel like you need some relief now and want some help getting healthy habits to stick in your schedule, here to chat about it!

I can direct you on where to start in a quick 15 min phone call! Let me know if you want a spot on the schedule this week :)

Who or What Are You Waking Up For?

I’ve always coached people on “waking up for yourself.”

But I’m going to put an asterisk* on that now.

My 11 week old pup Maisy has made her entrance into my life & I am absolutely not waking up for myself anymore!

I am waking up to take care of her (and admittedly so she doesn’t have an accident in my house)!

There’s a selflessness that’s come over me since I’ve gotten her.

It challenges what I always thought about waking up for myself and gives me MORE purpose to get out of bed!

I take care of her and then we snuggle up & do my morning routine!

So I challenge you to…

LIKE WHO OR WHAT YOU'RE WAKING UP FOR

Many of us wake up for work.

If you’re happy with that reason, great!

If not, you can change it!

Wake up for:
-Yourself
-Your partner
-Your pet
-Your kids
-Your dream side project

Whatever or whomever gives you the drive to get out of bed!

And if it is someone else, still pouring into yourself in some small way in the morning is a beneficial way to start the day.

Make YOU the priority early on in the day so you don’t get lost in the list of everything else!

5 Ways To Setup Your Calm & Productive Work From Home Life

1 blessing many of us have is the flexibility to work from home.

But if we don’t think about HOW we are using the flexibility, it can actually lead to more stress and less focus throughout the workday.

Here are 5 ways to setup your calm and productive work from home life:

1) Build a Command Center
2) Make your Command Center a “no social zone.”
3) Create a transition between meetings
4) Put the laptop to bed
5) Have a morning routine before the workday starts

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Here are the details:

1) Build a Command Center

Pick 1 special spot in your home where work happens.

I call this your “Command Center.”

This is where you go to focus, become a powerful decision maker, and fully be present in work.

Mine is my desk in my office!

Yes, the couch or bed can be nice sometimes, but these are usually our sacred resting spots, so consider keeping them that way.

2) Make your Command Center a “no social zone.”

Decide what happens and doesn’t happen in your Command Center.

For me, 1 of my biggest distractions is my phone!

Therefore, I try to make my Command Center a “no social zone” where I don’t check social or respond to texts.

Instead, I get up to do these things, making for the perfect break between meetings.

BONUS: I also use this mindset for my desk when I go into the office!

3) Create a transition between meetings

When we have back to back meetings, it can be tough to be present for each and easy to get burnt out.

Try to create a transition between meetings.

That could be:
-Taking 3 deep breaths to ground yourself for the next meeting
-Getting up from your Command Center to take a break
-Getting a drink of water or petting the dog

This can create calm throughout the day and allow you to be a more sound decision maker as you go into the next meeting.

4) Put the laptop to bed

If you want to mark the end of the workday, consider putting your laptop “to bed” or away in a drawer or backpack.

This creates a:
-Stopping point for the workday
-Starting point to be present for the rest of life

Consider how easy or hard you want to make it to “jump back on & answer 1 more email.”

If you want to create calm & boundaries, putting the laptop to bed can be a helpful tool.

Also a good marking for the start of the workday the next morning!

5) Have a morning routine before the workday starts

If we want to live that calm life, it starts in the morning!

Start the day taking care of you so you can be your best self when you show up to your work/Command Center.

After all, who decides how you live your life, you or your work?

⭐ Reminder: you’re worth getting out of bed for!

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If you want to create your ideal morning routine that transitions nicely into your workday, let’s chat!

Feel free to schedule a free 15-min call to chat morning routine or time management coaching.

If You Don’t Want A Rushed Morning, Get Rid of The Dread & Guilt First

When I ask someone how their morning feels, the answer I usually get is “rushed.”

But I know this isn’t their FIRST feeling in the morning.

--The first feeling is DREAD that the alarm is going off.

--Followed by GUILT that they’re hitting snooze.

--And RUSHED is the byproduct of it all!

How do we tackle the dread and guilt, so the rushed morning doesn’t happen?

1) Establish a sleep buffer

A sleep buffer is the guilt-free 15 minutes you give yourself to slowly wake up.

That way when the alarm goes off, you’re not totally dreading getting out of bed and feeling guilty for hitting snooze.

You didn’t want to rush, so here’s your permission to not rush out of bed.

You start the day with GRACE instead of GUILT.

2) Plan something worth getting out of bed for

For most people, this is usually doing something for yourself before the workday starts.

Journal, meditate, walk, tidy up the house.

It is making a plan that contributes to the person you want to become.

Calm, grounded, healthy, organized.

You can then start the day with DESIRE instead of DREAD.

⭐ Little reminder: YOU’RE worth getting out of bed for!

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If you want to talk through getting rid of the dread, guilt, and rushing in your morning, I offer 1 free 15-min morning routine audit to my email friends!

I have a few spots left this week so let me know if you want one!

I Want My Grammy’s Morning Routine

If you know me, I’ve always wanted to be like my Grammy when I grow up.

She’s the life of the party and has so much spunk in her!

We recently took her to Austin, and on the plane, her and I got to talking about her morning routine.

She said how much she just loves it, so of course I asked more.

Here’s hers:

• Coffee while sitting on the comfy couch

• Cute golden doodle dog at her feet

• Play Wordle & some other games to stay sharp

• News on in the background

It’s not just what she does that stood out to me, but how much she just LOVES her mornings.

How many of us can say that?

Don’t we deserve to LOVE our mornings?

My Morning Routine Coach brain kicked in and looked at what makes Grammy’s morning routine so enjoyable:

1) Purpose to get out of bed

Having something to do or somewhere to be can feel nice.

When we don’t, those are the days we stay in bed all day and feel like a blob.

Yes some days it’s nice to have nowhere to be, but having purpose to get out of bed is something that can keep us going.

But it has to be a purpose catered to you.

2) Starting your day on your terms

You picking how the day starts can be incredibly empowering!

Choosing when you wake up, what you do, and the speed in which you do it at.

I like to ask people,

“who decides what time you wake up?”

Right now, a lot of us may say work.

When we decide to wake up 15 minutes earlier to do something for ourselves, we’ve just switched from living on work’s terms to living on YOUR terms.

Trust me, Grammy is living on Grammy’s terms.

———

Tomorrow is her 83rd birthday and I hope to still be loving my mornings when I’m her age!

So happy birthday Grammy, you inspire us all!

If you want a morning like Grammy’s sooner rather than later, let’s chat about coaching and make it happen!