3 savvy tips on how to be more on time every day
1 – Plan your sleep in 90 minute cycles
This is a tip I picked up in episode 228 of the SPI podcast. According to personal trainer Jeff McMahon, of Total Body Construction, we sleep in 90 minute cycles.
The most peaceful time for us to wake up is at the end of a 90 minutes cycle as we will naturally be stirring then.
What does this mean for you, your sleep and your schedule?
I don’t know about you, but I am much more able to get up, focus and be productive in the morning if I am not feeling sluggish.
Since listening to Jeff’s podcast interview I have been aiming for seven and a half hours sleep, and it has made a HUGE difference to my general alertness in the morning. By planning my sleep cycles I am able to get everything done I need to do so much more quickly in the morning, and that bounce in my step helps me to get out of the door on time.
2 – Anything you can prep the night before, do so
AKA – Limit The Faff
This is a tried and tested tip, and it is well-cited for a reason.
By preparing your bag, your breakfast and laying out your outfit the night before, you cut out a big chunk of preparation time the next day.
If all you need to do in the morning is have a shower, eat breakfast, get ready and go there are fewer stumbling blocks to trip you up along the way.
I admit this is a tip I don’t always keep to myself, but when I do implement the getting-ready-the-night-before routine, I feel so liberated in the morning! It’s so much more enjoyable to be able to eat your breakfast leisurely, slip on an outfit you have pre-chosen and head out the door swinging your pre-packed bag.
You’ll essentially be Andy Sachs post-makeover.
3 – Leave buffer time for coffee
Historically, no matter how on time I wanted to be, I would faff until the very last minute when I knew I would get to my destination on time by a whisker. And if you leave it to then, any hiccup along the way is going to make you late.
Now, instead of aiming to get somewhere on time, I aim to get there fifteen – thirty minutes ahead of time. This is what I call my ‘coffee buffer’. I am aiming to be early in order to give myself time for a coffee – one of my very favourite things to do when I am out. By giving myself a treat to look forward to, I have an extra incentive to get out of the door.
If I do experience any delays, the worst case scenario is that I am on time for my commitment.
If you are not a coffee drinker, and leaving buffer time for this doesn’t appeal to you, you could get to your destination early and allocate a thirty minute slot for emails ahead of your meeting, or make time to call a friend. Whatever works for you as an incentive to get somewhere before you need to be there.
And if you do end up running late? Keep your contacts updated
Once you have re-adjusted the expectation of your work place or contact, hopefully you’ll find that they are understanding. Sometimes even the most diligent bag-packer, non-faffer, 90-minute-sleep cycle extraordinaire is late, and by staying in touch you are doing your contact a courtesy.
What’s your take?
Are you a diligent time-keeper, or do you (like me) flit between being good and being a “sorry I’m running behind!” texter?
Any tips and tricks? I’d love to hear from you!
Love, Monica x
DESK CREDITS
Clock: kikki.K (Past season – almost identical) | Candle: The White Company ‘Autumn’ c/o
Marble Coaster: DIY | Opticals : Warby Parker
Clutch Bag: Russell & Bromely (Past season – similar for a great price) | Gold Pen: kikki.K
Catalogue: The White Company
