Mornings can be difficult. All the rush and getting ready half asleep can get to you. The social media posts about mornings being the fresh start of the day… are posts you laugh at – after a couple of coffees that is. However, mornings don’t need to be terrible or rushed. Getting ready in the morning on time is absolutely doable. All it takes are a few small changes and here they are. 

Make a to-do list!
A to-Do list is a golden rule for discipline. They help you decide what your aims are and help you navigate your way through them. What does a productive morning look like to you? Visualize it and make a list of things it should include. Some ideas to get you thinking are – freshly pressed clothes to work, a pot of hot coffee or orange juice, toasted bread with bacon & cheese, and brightly polished shoes. Whatever suits your fancy, note them down, and pin the list on your refrigerator!

Plan your shopping accordingly! 
If you want orange juice every morning, what kind would you prefer? Store-bought juice packs or ones made from freshly squeezed oranges? Once you decide, you can prepare your routine accordingly. The next time you go to pick up groceries, you can ensure this is taken care of. The secret to getting ready every morning is to be ready for mornings before they begin! 

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Prepare for the morning, the night before
A lot of morning chores can be made less stressful if you plan for them in advance. Instead of having to frantically search for the clothes iron in the morning, you could set it up the night before. It is also a good idea to decide your clothes for the next day, and have them laid out on your bed the night before. The same applies to all things you wish to accomplish in the morning. Keep all your cereal boxes, jams, and peanut butter jars at convenient spots. So, in the morning, you can just breeze through the kitchen and prepare your breakfast with ease.

Adopt time-saving hacks
Instead of washing your hair in the morning, take a shower at night! This also gives your hair ample time to dry. The next morning, you can wake up, just wash your body and start styling your dry air right away. You can also buy night-setting hair serums which cut down your morning getting-ready time. 

And when it comes to food, you can prepare your breakfast the night before and store it in the refrigerator. When you wake up, you can just microwave the plate, and voila! Your food will be hot in no time. This certainly does not apply to all foods and is not the healthiest of practices. But it works well if done with moderation and care. 

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Coordinate your schedule with your roommates and children 
If you live with a roommate, then you may find your mornings delayed because of them. If you are living with children, having a proper routine for yourself can be one of the hardest things to do. Kids may throw tantrums, have fresh morning demands and these concerns may lead to frustration and subsequent delay. 

Disciplining does not magically happen overnight. You need to make a schedule that accommodates the needs of all those in your house and has room for the random things that pop up unexpectedly. When your roommates and children stick to this routine, there will be order in your house. And where there is order, there is punctuality. Through punctuality, you can cut down your routine with ease! 

Don’t compare yourself with others
Not everyone is a morning person. Some are night owls, while some are mid-day magicians. Each of us has our unique lifestyle, routine, and capabilities. Being disciplined is highly recommended for all, but don’t beat yourself to achieve it every morning. Make sure you get adequate sleep too. After all, good rest is also part of getting ready in the morning!