For as long as I can remember, I’ve set my alarm clock based on the schedule for the next day. If I had to be somewhere in the morning, I set my alarm in accordance with how much time I needed to get ready and arrive on time.
Other than my morning routine, there wouldn’t be any wiggle room for extra tasks to be accomplished between getting up and leaving the house. There wasn’t anything wrong with that – except for this fact: if I didn’t have somewhere to be, I let myself sleep until I woke up.
During the month of June, I decided to try a new routine. I’d heard from a few people how helpful it was to get up at the same time every day. With that in mind, I decided to set my alarm for 6:15 no matter what I had on my schedule. This summer I only have to be at work 3 days a week instead of 4. With more days at home than at work, I didn’t want to waste my days away!
It was such a great decision!
Even though I am not a morning person, I have enjoyed this new routine so much! On the days I have to be out the door fairly early, I’ve found myself much more calm and have even been able to accomplish a few extra tasks before leaving.
Because I have a very flexible schedule (I set my own work hours, I don’t have children, etc.), it can be easy to waste time. I’ve learned that being intentional with how I use my time makes such a difference!
Along with my set rising time came a set bedtime. I decided that 10 PM was lights out, no matter what I was working on or watching. This set sleep schedule has really made a difference. I feel so much more rested – and I get so much more accomplished!
Do you get up at the same time every day? I found that applying discipline in this area of my life really helped me to be more disciplined in other areas as well!
Come Home For Comfort 
This is really interesting. I do wake up the same time regardless of my schedule but am going to try and do the same at night. I also can have a lot of spare time and need to be more intentional with it
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It makes a big difference! I bet you’ll find that you get so much more accomplished.
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I have started doing this as well and it has its benefits for sure.
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Yay, Abby! It really does!
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So smart! I’ve always done the same thing – set an alarm based on my day. But, I’m finding with Olive starting kindergarten that I need to have my own routine in place to help the day go smoothly. I’ve set my alarm for 6:40 each morning so I am the first one up. So far so good. Now I really need to work on figuring out a realistic bed time for myself and then follow it.
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It makes such a difference in how much I get done each day. But, going to bed on time makes it all possible. 🙂
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This is something I need to be better about on the weekends and Holidays so it’s not such a struggle on regular work days.
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That’s kind of where I was, Rebecca. When I found myself with more “off” days than work days, I knew I needed to change something. It’s been really helpful! 🙂
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Well as an old person, my internal clock seems to go off between 6:30 a nd 7. I try to be in bed by 11. I think it is true as you get older you do not need as much sleep. I was having trouble sleeping all night until I extended my bed time. Life really does have its seasons and we have to be able to adjust with them to be happy and healthy. I find I always do better if I give myself time to be somewhere…I hate rushing out the door at the last minute.
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That’s a great point! Adjusting our schedules to the season of life makes a huge difference.
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