Locals share their early morning routine that makes for a successful start to their day
It’s no secret that what you do in the waking minutes and hours of your day can have a major impact on the time that follows.
From nurturing their faith to utilizing their commute time, these local ladies have honed in on a series of tasks that, for them, has been a recipe for success.
Sharon Green
“My morning routine starts with prayer. I don’t even open my eyes before I start praying. Starting with prayer gives me a peaceful feeling and helps calm me. Then I normally check my emails to get the day started. After I answer emails that need immediate attention, I send work schedules out to my teams so they can see how their day will flow. After I freshen up and get dressed, I pack my son’s lunch and then get him ready for school. We chat about what he wants for dinner or his assignments while we wait in the car rider line. He always has special dinner requests that start with Olive Garden or Red Lobster. After I drop him off, I call my team leads to discuss the schedule I sent, supplies needed, or personnel issues while I drive to the office. Once I get to the office, I work through the checklist I created the day before of necessary things that need to be done.”
Lindy Oakes
“I’ve always struggled with self-discipline and time management, so I rely on some easy habits to restrain my tendency to get distracted. I prepare nightly by looking at the next day’s hourly forecast and setting out appropriate clothes. I also make a lunch if it’s needed. In the morning, I make my bed right after rising to make the room feel settled. After showering and dressing, I have breakfast. I’m buoyed by seeing simple beauty throughout my day, so my choices are healthy with an appealing presentation, like a mixed-berry Greek yogurt parfait beside a small vase of zinnias. To nourish my mind and soul, I read scripture, pray, and sometimes journal. Next, I write a daily task list. Lastly, I listen to a news podcast while walking outdoors. Nothing beats finally launching my day like exercising while embracing the glory of an unfolding morning in creation.”
Carylon Killebrew
“Every night when my head hits the pillow, I almost instantly fall asleep. The same thing happens for me in the morning, and my body automatically wakes up around 4 a.m. like some sort of sensory device. I’ll get dressed, walk downstairs, and grab my coat, mud boots, phone, and flashlight. I then take the 100-yard walk across my property in near-complete darkness to my art studio, always making a point to turn off my flashlight and look up at the sky at some point. Once in my studio, I’ll switch shoes and make coffee before starting to paint, all the while listening to praise music. Back at the house, I’ll spend some time, usually an hour, reading my Bible. This routine lets me focus on what is important, and I can be very intentional about the task at hand with limited distractions. Getting to spend time creating and being close to God early in the morning ensures that whatever unfolds over the course of the day doesn’t derail what’s important to me.”
