Welcome to Mission #20 of our 52 Get Organized Missions.
One of the best things you can do to feel organized throughout your day is to prepare well the night before. So in this mission we’ll create your personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine.
If you’ve completed the previous mission (Get Organized Mission #19: Organize Your office), congratulations.
You’ll absolutely love the difference completing this mission will make to your daily stress management, time management, and home organization.
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 #20: Create Your Organized Life Bedtime Routine
Step 1: Make a list of what you need to do each night
I suggest you write, or type and print out, your list (or use the suggestions below and print out this post). Take it with you every night as you complete and check off each item.
Include things that will make your mornings calmer and your days better organized, such as:
Tidy
- Do an express tidy and put away books, remotes, toys, etc
- Give surfaces a quick wipe-down
- Use a hand-vac to get rid of crumbs around food areas
- Put dirty clothes and linen in the laundry hamper
- Put clean clothes back in the closet
Organize morning zones for tomorrow
- Load and turn on the dishwasher
- Set the table for breakfast
- Fill the coffee maker
- Check supplies of milk, cereal, etc
- Check towels in the bathroom
Prepare for tomorrow
- Choose your outfit – including shoes and accessories
- Check your diary, the family calendar, the kids’ school schedule – so there are no surprises in the morning
- Get together any special items you or the kids need – like files for a meeting or permission notes for a field trip
- Pack your briefcase, satchel or purse
- Set the alarm, allowing enough time to get ready and to be on time without having to rush
Do a brain dump
- Make a list of things for tomorrow’s attention
Get bed-ready
- Brush and floss your teeth, wash your face, grab your teddy-bear and do whatever else you need to do before popping into bed.
Step 2: Time yourself tonight
Tonight, complete your Organized Life Bedtime Routine and take note of how long it takes. That’s how long you need to allow each night.
Step 3: Do your Organized Life Bedtime Routine every night!
Every night, get out your Organized Life Bedtime Routine list – and follow it! Make it a habit.
Dos & Don’ts
- Don’t turn this into an nightly ordeal. Be quick and spritely. If you’re taking more than 20 – 30 minutes, you’re over-thinking it.
- Don’t feel you have to do it at bedtime. After dinner or any time during the evening is fine – as long as you make it a habit.
- Do remind yourself that the time you spend each night on this ritual will more than pay for itself in better personal organization, time management and stress reduction.
Extended Organizing Mission Options
Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?
- This is an excellent mission to share with the family. It will both save time and teach the kids valuable personal organization skills. Give them age-appropriate tasks in the Tidy (put away toys?) and Organize morning zones (set the table?) areas. Then add their regular bedtime steps, like packing bags and brushing teeth. It’ll be a big help to give them a printed copy of their personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine too.
Ready, Set, Go!
Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.
Before You Go – Please Check In
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.
And see you back here next week!
Did You Know
You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.
[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocokelley/ / CC BY 2.0]
Done. How much fun is all of this. I love how easy my life is feeling. THanks
Done. How much fun is all of this. I love how easy my life is feeling. THanks
I’ve made my list, checked it twice – now to put into practice enough so that it becomes a habit.
I’ve made my list, checked it twice – now to put into practice enough so that it becomes a habit.
I have my morning zones organised and always prepare for the next day. I love the idea of the “brain dump” and have added this to my routine so now I can float into a peaceful nights sleep.
The last thing I do every night is check on my daughter, cover her up, give her a kiss and tell her how much I love her!!!
I have my morning zones organised and always prepare for the next day. I love the idea of the “brain dump” and have added this to my routine so now I can float into a peaceful nights sleep.
The last thing I do every night is check on my daughter, cover her up, give her a kiss and tell her how much I love her!!!
Great post, Michele. As I’m completely scatter-brained, I always prepare the night before when I have to be somewhere at a particular time. Certain disaster otherwise! The one item I’d add to your list, which is the thing I most often forget: make sure the mobile phone is charged and ready to go!
I like Mark Frazier’s comments, too. Those of us with children know how important it is to establish a bedtime routine to help prepare them for sleep. Doing the same things every evening makes it easy to doze off at the appropriate time. But we’re not always so good at putting it into practice for ourselves!
Great post, Michele. As I’m completely scatter-brained, I always prepare the night before when I have to be somewhere at a particular time. Certain disaster otherwise! The one item I’d add to your list, which is the thing I most often forget: make sure the mobile phone is charged and ready to go!
I like Mark Frazier’s comments, too. Those of us with children know how important it is to establish a bedtime routine to help prepare them for sleep. Doing the same things every evening makes it easy to doze off at the appropriate time. But we’re not always so good at putting it into practice for ourselves!
As a psychologist who works with patients experiencing problems with insomnia, I regularly help design bedtime routines as part of good sleep hygiene. I think your recommendations are excellent for having a clear mind and promoting the opportunity to be able to relax oneself into sleep.
As a psychologist who works with patients experiencing problems with insomnia, I regularly help design bedtime routines as part of good sleep hygiene. I think your recommendations are excellent for having a clear mind and promoting the opportunity to be able to relax oneself into sleep.
I made a huge, huge mistake sitting down to watch TV. I totally failed at working this out: http://bit.ly/vkkZa I’m just too darn tired.
I made a huge, huge mistake sitting down to watch TV. I totally failed at working this out: http://bit.ly/vkkZa I’m just too darn tired.
Create Your ‘Organized Life Bedtime Routine’ [Mission #20] | Get … http://bit.ly/VBr3f
Create Your ‘Organized Life Bedtime Routine’ [Mission #20] | Get … http://bit.ly/VBr3f
Create Your 'Organized Life Bedtime Routine' [Mission #20] | Get … http://bit.ly/2B9DU6
Create Your 'Organized Life Bedtime Routine' [Mission #20] | Get … http://bit.ly/2B9DU6
Create Your ‘Organized Life Bedtime Routine’ [Mission #20] | Get … http://tinyurl.com/ybuvskn
Create Your ‘Organized Life Bedtime Routine’ [Mission #20] | Get … http://tinyurl.com/ybuvskn
Great post! Although I know the value of bedtime routines, I rarely follow it completely and consistently. Your post is a good reminder for me! Thank for the sample routine — I especially like the teddy bear (or DH, maybe?) idea!! :))
Great post! Although I know the value of bedtime routines, I rarely follow it completely and consistently. Your post is a good reminder for me! Thank for the sample routine — I especially like the teddy bear (or DH, maybe?) idea!! :))