I shared recently how I had made a HUGE scheduling mistake. I also shared how I was determined to make sure nothing like that happened again. Well at least in terms of what I could control; we all know sports schedule are prone to change, especially last minute changes. There was nothing like that feeling in the pit of my stomach that morning when I realized the mistake I had made. I knew my mistake could very easily frustrate Chris and our family’s vacations plans. I also knew my mistake could very easily upset my girl. She has some long term soccer goals and having to miss such a big tournament could frustrate some of those plans. Thankfully everything worked out…and even for the better. But I do not want to make such a big mistake again, especially since it could have been avoided. I realize now one way to avoid being caught off guard in the morning is to prepare the night before.
I think in typical momma fashion, I get tired in the evenings, say I’m going to go to bed as soon as we pray and the younger kids get in bed…and then the house gets quiet…and then I feel almost giddy and proclaim (quietly in my head) “I AM NEVER GOING TO BED!” I mean, a quiet house y’all! What’s not to love in those late evenings…and sometimes early morning hours? (ahem) So I stay up. I do all the things: I have a snack–that I don’t have to share. I drink a glass of water–again, no sharing. I listen to sermons or podcasts or…NOTHING. I watch Youtube videos or scroll Pinterest–you know, finding out who I am. And the next morning…I am toast. I am tired, cranky, and so bothered by the people in my home who want and need things, like food, clothing or attention…myself included!
Have you heard the advice that goes something like, “Prepare for the next day the night before.” I have, but I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it. It seemed like short cutting one day to move straight into the next day. I know silly because the advice doesn’t say “Prepare for the next day at 9am…or 4pm…” All the advice I’d ever read said “…right before bed.” It recently dawned on me, “I’m ending my day anyway, why not get ready for the next day?” Do you see what I did there? I tricked myself. Instead of thinking of it as closing out one day early, I thought of it as being prepared for the next day. Much better right.
And when I talk about “the advice,” this isn’t from people still in their pajamas at 3 p.m. wishing their day away. This advice is from people who want to live their life, not be drug along by their life; I’m talking financial gurus, successful coaches (sports or life) and mom entrepreneurs and even–but most importantly–the saints. The saints knew the success of the next day depended on a focused examen the night before…not only what went right or wrong in that day, but also to prepare for the people or situations they may encounter the next day. They could then start making a plan of virtue for the day ahead. Yes, not just plan out the physical aspects of their day, but also–and again, more importantly, the spiritual aspects of the next day.
Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom has a great course about how the night before is key to a successful day. It’s called Make Over Your Evenings, some of you may have already seen her Make Over Your Mornings course. I was so excited to watch the videos for this course…I may have stayed up too late binge watching Make Over Your Evenings! It’s a seven day course filled with helpful tips, ideas and resources to help us get our day off to a great start, by preparing the night before. And Day 7 girls…exactly what we frequently talk about and I write about–our thoughts! I was so excited to watch and listen to Crystal as she shared her experience of how right thinking, especially before bed, helped her get a better nights sleep.
The Make Over Your Evenings course includes a handbook, daily videos, worksheets and projects. It’s designed to help us establish a realistic evening routine that works, a prioritized to do list for each day, create a best stuff list of the most important activities and commitments we should invest our time, life, and energy into right now, eliminate calendar conflicts once and for all (Yes Please!), nourish our body, nurture our soul, and no longer put our health on the back burner (I’m looking at you mommas and grandmommas!), and develop a contagious, positive attitude — so you can experience and express more joy in your everyday life.
You know I only share what I know and love and this is something I have needed and enjoyed getting started on. One of the most important things I have started doing in the evening is looking over my planner to see what to expect and not be surprised by the next day! Baby steps…baby steps, that what I keep telling myself. If you’d like more information click the link below and see if her course will be a great fit for you.
ellen donais says
Does the course require real time attendance or at my scheduled availability? I am very interested, but do much better with the “my time” option. It sounds tremendously helpful. I plan on looking at the morning one as well!
Jenny says
No, work on your own time. Um, would it seem a little too ironic if I admitted to staying up too late to binge watch most of the videos because I soooo need this right now?!
Clare says
As someone who loves those quiet late late nights…I love the push to live more wisely…Oh yes… and check my dairy!
Thanks for this…
With love…and keeping you in prayer…