What Every Successful Woman Does Before Noon

WRITTEN BY Genevieve Fish, MyDomaine

We love hearing about how successful women start and end their days. This time, we’re looking beyond the morning routine and going all the way to what all successful women do before noon. Once you get to the p.m., the most efficient, motivated women have tackled the most challenging things on their to-do lists and treated themselves with love. Scroll through and learn how to structure your a.m. hours.

Attack the most challenging task first.

A to-do list can become monstrous very quickly. We know, because we’ve fallen victim to many. The key to getting through the list is tackling the most annoying or difficult task first. That way, by noon, you’ve jumped the biggest hurdle to getting through the most time-consuming roadblock on your list.

Practice a morning ritual.

Whether it’s practicing meditation, having a hot shower, doing yoga, or taking some silent time for yourself, having a morning ritual is key to starting the day off on a strong foot. It also signals your body to focus and start the day in a centered place.

Skip morning meetings.

Your most productive time is the morning, specifically the “golden hour” after the mind has cleansed itself through sleep. Don’t waste this high-productivity period by sitting through an endless block of meetings. Tackle your to-do list, work on a problem, or just think. Save your meeting times for after lunch.

Reserve time for follow-up.

Follow-up is the difference between mediocrity and excellence. If you don’t follow up after meetings, emails, phone calls, or meaningful conversations, they can get lost in the noise of busy schedules. Make a point to follow up with colleagues and loved ones. They all appreciate the time you spend to check in.

Make a prioritized to-do list.

A to-do list is nothing without prioritization. Divide your list into four quadrants: 1. urgent and important; 2.. urgent and unimportant; 3. not urgent but important; 4. not urgent and not important. Make sure you’re prioritizing categories one and three and dismissing category four.

Never cave to the snooze button.

The snooze button is lethal, especially when pushing it becomes routine. When your alarm goes off, wake up. You can linger in bed with your phone for a good 10 minutes, but don’t let your eyelids stay closed. Before you know it, another hour or two will have gone by and your entire day will be thrown off.

Exercise.

This isn’t a vanity drill. Exercise keeps your body healthy, your mind clear, and it’s an excellent way to combat stress. You don’t have to start with a daily hour-long routine. Start with 10 minutes until it becomes a daily practice. Then up your duration once aerobic consistency is a part of your routine.

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