From Cheeky:
Anne Marie Schlekeway is the creator of the Master Plan Programs and an expert on planning for sustainable high productivity while maintaining your life balance and wellness. Diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease) in March 2009 after six years of symptoms, she founded KissMyALS.com and began blogging about the experience of living with a serious health challenge. Kiss My ALS is an organization that partners with MDA’s Augie’s Quest and ALS Therapy Development Institute to raise funds to find a cure for ALS ASAP.
From Anne Marie:
Do you pay any attention to setting yourself up to win? Do you plan your clothes for the week and set things out for the smoothest morning routine? Prepare your food ahead for the week? I love it when I do it and get by when I don’t. It’s not a problem when I don’t, it just doesn’t make for a seamless day or the experience of being taken care of! Nothing impacts my mindset as powerfully as taking care of me. One thing I see over and over again in my executive coaching practice is busy executives (especially women) who treat their pets better than they treat themselves! Now I love pets as much as their owners, I’m just asking you to extend yourselves the same courtesy you give your furry and feathered friends. It’s not rocket science, it can be as simple as presetting the coffee maker the night before and laying out your clothes and putting your gym bag by the door… I even have a friend who leaves all her makeup and hair products at the gym, thus insuring she’ll get her tush on that treadmill before work or risk a bad hair day! Here are some ideas you can try out in your own life and tell me if it makes a difference
1) Plan you attire. On Sunday evening, take 15 minutes and gather five outfits for the week, hang them in a special place in your closet, add hose, socks, and shoes below, etc…. You may also want to add clothing for any special events and, of course, prep a gym bag when appropriate. This practice shaves 20 minutes off my morning routine.
2) Plan your food. I used to spend my Sundays cooking, but now I make it a social event (given I can’t prep my own food due to ALS and weakness in my hands). I have friends over or my mom comes and we prepare 3-4 things so I have varied healthy choices for the week. I will pre-pack them for trips to the office as well.
3) Plan your rest. Two nights a week I get to bed an hour early – I may not sleep any earlier but I always feel more rested. Then one day I sleep without an alarm so my body gets what it needs. I’m also a big fan of naps.
4) Plan your activity and projects. Put a one year calendar on the wall of your office and a second one at home – show all months at all times, 12 months out. This allows you to be proactive versus reactive and avoid deadlines sneaking up on you!
5) Plot out your vacations for the year by January 15 – this way you can schedule projects around the vacations or complete them just before…look to take breaks at low impact times. For example, when others are off as well or when the world is asleep, such as the day after a holiday. I always take the day before and after a three-day weekend and I miss nothing. The week before July 4th and the week after are great weeks to be off as half the country is off before and the other half is off after.
6) Journal for 10-15 minutes each morning upon waking. Write down your dreams, concerns, chores, and aspirations for the day. Whatever comes to mind – just let it out on the page. You’ll be truly enriched by the creativity that bubbles up after a week or so of this practice. (Julia Cameron calls these the “morning pages” and recommends a three page minimum.) It’s a powerful practice to clear your mind before launching into your day. There are many more things you can do to set yourself up to win and set the stage for your week. It all depends on what’s important to you. For myself, I know that a streamlined morning routine allows my mind to be free to address the issues at hand instead of worrying about finding a matching sock or pristine pair of pantyhose! People treat you the way you treat you. Treat yourself well this week; it will put a bounce in your step and boost performance!
