5 Ways To Jump Start Your MorningWritten by Kathy Gates
I'm not a morning person. I'm lucky to know my name, much less bounce out ready to face Denise Austin's morning workout. Not this girl. So I decided to stop fighting it, and start working with it. As decorators say, if you can't hide it, paint it red.So that means that I need to take care of some things night before in order to start my day off in a calm, collected way. If you're not much of a morning person either, try these ideas, and see if they help your morning go a little smoother too. 1. Think about Breakfast: Get a jump start on your morning by setting breakfast table night before. Borrow this idea from restaurants (and especially if you have kids), set out bowls or plates, silverware, and even cold cereal, protein bars, fruit, anything that you can for first meal. If you're a hot meal breakfast family, a crock-pot set up night before works well. In my house, we even use paper plates and throw-away forks.just makes clean up that much easier. 2. Think about Lunch: If you're making several lunches -or even only one - put each person's preferred lunch food into their own personalized small plastic basket in refrigerator -- things like juice, soda, fruit, chicken nuggets and veggies (already divided into individual baggies), or anything prepackaged. I even stash Peanut Butter and Bread right in same section, so I don't have to hunt for it to make a sandwich. Other things like chips or cookies (again either prepackaged or already divided into individual baggies) are set up on kitchen counter next to each person's lunchbox. Packing it up is a snap. 3. Think about Dinner: If you're cook, plan night before what will be for dinner next day. Collect all ingredients, place them in one spot on kitchen cabinet, or in a special part of refrigerator. If you're going out, picking up, or ordering out, make that a Family Decision night before. No "what's for supper" surprises.
| | 7 Weeks To A Happier LifeWritten by Kathy Gates
Life is usually what we make it. Wait a minute -- did I say "make it"? I know, I know, conventional theory is that "life happens" -- um, yeah, I cleaned that up a bit.And while there are things that none of us can control -- weather, economy, construction crews, other people -- there are many things that you are in charge of. These are things that help you lead a happier life. Put one into place in SPECIFICS of your life, and at end of 7 weeks you'll have a happier, easier, better life than ever before. 1. Choose Consciously: Make an effort to decide that YOU choose how to spend your time, money, energy, and spirit. As long as you accept consequences, and make choice with your eyes open, you'll feel more in control. Consciously choosing your TV time, or surfing time, is a lot different than just realizing you spent 4 hours clicking channels. Ask yourself, "I have from 7 pm until bedtime. How do I want to spend that time?" 2. Set Priorities. If annoyances of life are living your life for you, you're never going to win foot- race of life. You'll simply run out of time, devoting it to things that you chose in moment, instead of what you really wanted most. Don't put what you want right now above what you really want in long run. Ask yourself, "Self, I have raised my standard to not buy anything else on credit. But I really want this outfit for my meeting next week. What's more important to me?" 3. Nurture It: Protect It: What you focus on in your life will flourish If you focus on problems, and lack, and hatred, and guilt, and self doubt, that's what you'll find growing in your garden of life. Instead plant seeds of change, conviction, courage, and choice. No, it's not just about thinking positive thoughts -- but it's a heck of a good place to start! 4. Be Consistent. Anything that you do consistently, day after day, week after week, adds up. Good results or bad results are product of repeating same behavior over and over. If you consistently save, you'll have money in bank; if you consistently over-spend, you'll be in debt. Choose what you want, and take one small step, consistently day after day, and see what happens.
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