Truly Kate

3 Simple Night Routines For A Productive Day

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Night time routine productive
One of the best ways to have a productive day is to prepare the night before. These 3 Simple Night Routines will give you the steps to create your night routine and increase your productivity.

Why You Need A Night Routine

Having a routine helps eliminate stress and allows me to get more done in less time. I no longer wake up in the morning feeling lost and as though the day has already taken control of me.
Do you ever lie in bed at the end of the day and feel that although you had a super busy day you didn’t accomplish much? This has happened to me so many times throughout the years. I hated feeling this way and felt like I was letting my life run me instead of being in charge of my own life. I knew I needed to change what I was doing but didn’t know how. After trying a lot of different things, I finally found what worked best for me which is this night routine.

What about living in the moment?

I really do love being spontaneous and doing whatever I feel like in the moment, which is often going to Target or eating ice cream and watching Netflix. But, I also really do crave a plan and a routine. I am constantly working on finding this balance.
I use this routine and plan as a guide. But I allow some flexibility because sometimes life just happens. When life is super busy I have a harder time sticking to my night routine but, that is usually when I need it the most. If I had a late night and didn’t do my night routine, I wake up a little earlier and do my routine in the morning. Some people do better with a morning routine than a night routine and that is ok too. Do what works best for you.
Before you plan on going to sleep, try implementing some (or all) of these steps to set yourself up for a better, more productive morning.

Night Routine For A Successful Day

1. Tidy Up

Do a quick clean up your kitchen and any space that needs tidying up. Having a clean space helps keep my head clear and gives me the ability to really focus on my goals and priorities. A sink full of dirty dishes really throws me off mentally, so I rarely go to bed with a dirty kitchen. Set a timer for 15 minutes and tidy up as much as you can in that time. I usually listen to a podcast or Audible when I’m cleaning up which makes the time a little more enjoyable.

2. Brain Purge

Take a few minutes and create a list of EVERYTHING that you need to get done, big and small. There is not a right or wrong way of doing your list. Choose 3 items that you will get done the next day no matter what. Why 3?  Because picking more than 3 can feel too overwhelming. Estimate how long each of those 3 items will take and schedule them into your day. Any extra items you get done is a bonus! You can write your list in categories (work, house, kids, etc) if it’s helpful for you. I just write one big list. The things I didn’t get done are carried over to the next day. If I have a big task that is going to take more than a day to complete, I will break it down into smaller tasks.

I have found that when I write down everything I need to get done, it gets all of the brain clutter out so I can focus on other things and I’m not trying to rely on my memory which can waste time. It also helps me sleep so much better.

You can use the notebook app on your phone, a journal, notebook or you can use this free printable that I use. I keep mine on my nightstand as a reminder to plan my day before I go to bed.

3. Express Gratitude

Write down at least 3 things you are grateful for that day. Think of new and different things you are grateful each day, this helps you realize that life really is good and there is so much to be grateful for even on your worst days. Feelings of gratitude have mental and possibly even physical health benefits. So be grateful, because it’s good for you!

Keep in mind that sometimes life happens, especially on weekends. Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t stick to your night routine for a day or two. When I am having a hard time getting back on track, I remind myself of the benefits of having a nightly routine and how it really does help me. I ask myself  “how do I want to feel tomorrow?” and I know what I need to do to feel this way.

TIPS ON ADDING NEW ROUTINES AND HABITS

I have often gotten in the trap of wanting to make all the changes at once because I want the results NOW, so I better make ALL the changes NOW. Well, I’m sure you know how this usually ends up. I get frustrated and overwhelmed and end up quitting. Adding something new into your day when you are already so busy can be really hard. I have learned over time if I really want to be able to stick with something, I have to do it little by little.

Steps For Making Long-Lasting Changes

1. Make one change and do it for one week
2. At the end of that week evaluate how you are doing
3. If you are feeling good about it, add a new change for the next week
4. If you aren’t feeling good about it, do it for another week and re-evaluate at the end of the week
5. Continue evaluating and adding the changes you are making
I really hope these ideas are helpful to you. I understand the feelings of being stressed and overwhelmed with everything I need to get done. One thing I know for sure is that consistency in our actions is key, even if it’s one small action.
XX,
Kate

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