Do you want to know the secret to having great days, to having more time and energy to workout, to being more productive, to making healthy choices all day long? The secret is: A great day starts the night before. Here are my 10 tips to make tomorrow amazing!

 

1. Sleep (quantity). Like it or not, you need 7-9 hours of sleep. Figure out what time you need to wake up, count back from there. That’s your bedtime.  Any additional time to you stay up tonight, is just energy, success, willpower, and productivity stolen from your tomorrow.

 

2. Sleep (quality). Sleep is two tips because it’s that important. Ensure good quality sleep by cutting out caffeine after a specific time (you know what works best for you), saying no to alcohol, and avoiding heavy meals close to bedtime.

 

3. Make tomorrow’s To-Do List and review appointments. What do you need to do tomorrow? What do you need to bring? Make a list, lay it out, get it off your mind, and save yourself from scrabbling tomorrow morning.

 

4. Stop working and turn off all screens one hour before bed. The blue light emitted from phone, computer, and television screens signals to your brain that it’s time to wake up. Working or watching the news is not a relaxing bedtime routine. Instead, use this time to tackle the rest of this list.

 

5. Prep your coffee. Program your coffee maker or get it ready. Invest in a good travel mug, like this one that will keep your coffee hot, and I mean hot, all day!  You’ll save time and money avoiding the daily coffee run.

 

6. Prep your breakfast. You know you perform better and make healthier choices all day long when you start with a good breakfast. Meal-prep breakfast at the beginning of the week by making hardboiled eggs, breakfast casserole, or a big batch of high protein oatmeal. Or, the night before, get your smoothie ready to blend. Find what works for you, but skip the baked goods and sugary cereals and yogurts.

 

7. Pack your lunch. Save money, time, and calories by meal-prepping on the weekend and packing up your lunch for the week. Stock up on easy-to-pack fruit and veggies (like apples, bananas, and baby carrots), protein bars, and single-serve pack of nut butter, hummus, and nuts.

 

8. Lay out your gym clothes. If you’re hitting the gym first thing in the morning, have everything ready. If you’re working out at lunch or after work, pack up your gym bag. Do not listen to the voice in your head that says I’ll just come and change after work on my way to the gym. That voice is the destroyer of fitness dreams.

 

9. Pick out your outfit. Decide on your clothes, shoes, and accessories for tomorrow. If you want to make getting ready even easier, get a uniform or try the Project 333 method.

 

10. Reflect. Use the last few minutes before bed to journal, make a gratitude list, and/or read for pleasure or enlightenment. Instead of journaling online or in an app, journal the old fashion way, with pen and paper. Skip e-readers and instead read an actual book (they still make those!). Choose a work of fiction or an inspirational book that shifts your mind out of work mode.

 

Commit to trying these steps for several weeks in order to see the benefits in your career, your health, and your overall happiness.  What other nighttime routines help you to wrap up your day, make your mornings as easy as possible, and prepare you for an amazing tomorrow?

 

Alicia Cross is a Certified Personal Trainer, Wellness Coach, and Yoga Instructor with more than 15 years’ experience working with clients in classes and one-on-one.  She is a yogi, meditator, vegan, and lifter of heavy things. If you’re ready to discover the strength and peace that comes from within, email Alicia@AliciaCrossTraining.com.

 

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