
A Morning with Few Decisions
One of the main things I’m learning this year is how one time decisions and creating routines can make or break you. I recently heard a podcast from Craig Groeschel which explained the power of making a decision one time. Although I was already applying this to my morning routine, I didn’t notice that I’ve been shaving off about an hour every day from my mornings. I just knew that I needed to set a couple things up so that I wouldn’t have to make too many decision during the initial morning grogginess.
Below are just a few of the routines that I have come to set up for work:
Habit started in 2014
- I drink the same morning shake at work for breakfast. This eliminated the need to think about breakfast or starting work on an empty stomach.
Habits added in 2015
- I started wearing and interchanging the same two makeup styles.
- I’ve set aside some items of clothing that have designated for work and I keep the outfits very simple.
- I replaced coffee with a B12 energy drink. This eliminated the morning coffee shop run and the 2 pm crash.
- I started taking the same four supplements by my first break. One for energy and focus, one for mental clarity, one for memory, and one for vision.
Habits added in 2016
- I started to get to work a little early and park in the same spot every morning, regardless if there was a closer spot to the building. This eliminated the driving around the parking lot.
- I set predetermined lunch options listed in order of preference: small bowl of oatmeal with honey, meal bar, meal shake, a soup, or leftovers. As long as a had a light lunch, I didn’t get that desire for a nap after lunch. I read a self-development books or replied to personal emails. If it was nice out, I would take my lunch outside.
Habits added in this year
- If I schedule a lunch to meet someone, I pick a soup or salad. It keeps conversations going and less focus on the food.
- I strike up conversations with people more often unless they have a very upset face or look away. I wrote a blog post about this little habit that keeps me on my toes about my attitude.
None of these will necessarily sound exciting and it’s not the complete list. I realized, however, that I haven’t had to think about making these 9 decisions in months. They’re all decisions that I made one time and reinforced a couple of times until they developed became habits. Then I build off of every habit so that I add a new one but also reinforce an old one. These routines have saved me at least an hour every morning.
I hope this post stirs up a couple of ideas of how you can streamline your mornings or how you can start a routine today that will help reduce one more item that you have to think about daily. Feel free to check out any of the products listed that I personally love and use on my retail website here.
Please let me know in the comments below if you try any one of them!
Questions for you: Do your mornings feel hectic, on track, or like clockwork? Do you do any of these routines or have some that are similar?

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