Well guys, I’ve completed Crystal Paine’s Make Over Your Mornings course as of today. The course is NOT just about getting up earlier, though I will say that I AM waking up earlier than normal (by choice). The course is about prioritizing your day, allowing yourself time to relax, setting goals for yourself and accomplishing them bit by bit, creating an effective to-do list and more!
First of all, I loved the course. But, I’m a long-time reader of Money Saving Mom and I love Crystal Paine! One of the main reasons I bought the course was because you get a peak into her life! The course is 14 days, and all 14 days include a chapter to read, a task out of a workbook and a video from Crystal (my favorite part!).
Make Over Your Mornings: Course Review
Two weeks ago, this was my schedule:
I would wake up between 6:15am and 6:45am to one of my precious daughter’s screaming. I would try to ignore them, get irritated, then get out of bed angrily to go get my wide-awake child out of bed. And more than likely, whichever child was still sleeping would be awake by now, too. I’d change their diapers while rubbing my eyes, I wouldn’t be interacting with them because – let’s face it – I was exhausted, and we’d head downstairs for milks (for them) and coffee (for me).
I would get them breakfast and try to sit down at the computer to check emails and get myself oriented. But of course, as little ones do, they constantly needed my assistance throughout their meal. If it were a day care day, I would be praising the Lord that I would get some time to work and some time to myself once I dropped them off.
Some of you are probably thinking I’m a mean mom. I can assure you I love my kids more than anything, but I am NOT a morning person when I’m being woken up by screaming. I need time to brush my teeth, have a coffee and just be. Here’s the thing though – my kid’s waking up early is not their fault. Of course they can wake up early! All kids wake up early. Me being grumpy in the mornings is solely on me.
Now, let’s take a look at my schedule:
I’ve been setting the alarm for 5:30 every day for the past two weeks. I didn’t set my alarm on the weekend, and there were two days where I didn’t get out of bed until almost 6:00am (but this was still before the girls). One of the morning’s I did some light exercises, four of the mornings I blogged, and the rest of the morning’s I used to talk to my husband, relax with a coffee and check emails / browse the internet.
My girls would wake between 6:15 and 6:45 still, but the difference was that I was happy to see them. Most mornings I was dressed and ready for the day before they started crying. A few of the mornings I even remember missing them and wanting them to get up!
So, for me, waking up early was key to setting my day up for success.
Perhaps this isn’t an issue with you. Maybe you just want to get more done throughout the day and not feel like you’re doing a million little things that add up to nothing. Make Over Your Morning’s has a section dedicated to setting goals and focusing on the BIG CHUNKS in your life (marriage, parenting and freelancing are three of mine). Crystal shows you how to break these big chunks down into smaller ones. While I knew this going into the course, it was honestly the encouragement that I needed to get back to accomplishing my goals.
Tips for the course
If you do decide to give the course a try, I recommend going into it with a completely open mind. Be willing to work through the chapters and be willing to make changes to your day. We all have goals – and if you’ve been slacking with them – Crystal’s course can help get you back on track!
Go at your own pace. The course is supposed to be done over the course of 14 days at the same time every day. I see the value in this, because it gets you in the habit of creating a routine just with the course itself. I, however, read ahead, re-read certain chapters multiple times, did a few of the lessons more than once and watched the videos over the course of three days rather than 14. This is what worked for me. If you would rather knock out the course in two days, go for it!
Keep referring back to it. Finally, this isn’t a course I plan on never looking at again. My goal is to take a look at some of my favorite chapters from the course once a week (or more) to keep me on track. These past two weeks have been two of the most productive weeks I’ve had in a while. My house is cleaner, my parenting has improved, I have more time for my marriage and – best of all – my mood has improved significantly.
Final thoughts
Even if you don’t want to go through the course, my advice to you is to try to create a routine that makes your life easier and more enjoyable. While I’m not up early doing dishes and laundry like some people are, creating a morning routine for myself has greatly impacted how my days go and my overall mood. Today, for example, my morning routine was cut short because my youngest was up extra early, but I still was able to enjoy a quick coffee before heading into her room. Even those three minutes to myself put me in a better mood.
If you are interested in learning more, click the image below!
The post Review: Make Over Your Mornings appeared first on the frugal millionaire.