I am often asked about my routine...so I decided to share it with you. But keep in mind - this is my routine. It works for me and may not work for you. Now don't get obsessive on me. We all have to get dressed and put our shoes on those precious tootsies of yours, bathrooms need to be cleaned daily, the bed has to be made, and of course you can't go without shining your sink. But you can change the order of things to suit you and your lifestyle. I do feel that doing them as soon as you get up and as fast as you can gives you a certain amount of pride as you go through your day. If you don't do them, then the guilt monster starts to eat away at you. I want you to feel productive and that doesn't happen if you put things off.

The Before Bed Routine is the most important routine of the whole day. Set a regular time to do your Before Bed Routine. Then do it - starting tonight. I start mine as soon as dinner is complete. Others start theirs in the afternoon while they are getting supper ready. It is up to you. - FlyLady

There are three parts to the Before Bed Routine:

1. Clean up the house before you go to bed. (20 minutes - tops)
   1. Living room: Pick up and put away things, magazines, dishes, clothes, shoes.
   2. Kitchen: Clean it up, shine sink, lay out clean dishcloths, and run the dishwasher.
   3. Dining room/entrance: Clear the hot spots.
   4. Review your check list to make sure you have not forgotten anything.
   
   
2. Think about tomorrow before you go to bed.
   1. Check your calendar and/or planner for appointments.
   2. Start a PODA (Parade of Daily Adventures) or "To Do" list for tomorrow.
   3. Think about: What can I do tonight that will make tomorrow morning easier? (make lunches?)
   4. Gather up items that you do not want to forget and place them in a spot by the door. Make sure you can see them before you walk out.
   5. Make sure children have their things gathered up and put away.
   6. Start Breakfast: Set table and plan what you are cooking (just make a mental note).
   7. If you plan to use the crock pot, then get some of those things ready so all you have to do is throw it together.
   8. Lay out your clothes for tomorrow. It is a simple thing that saves lots of time by being decisive. If something needs to be ironed, or has a spot on it, you can deal with it in a calm manner or choose to wear something else. Take it to the cleaners on your errand day, launder it, or fix that missing button according to your schedule - no pressure. All the stress has been relieved.
   
   
3. Focus on yourself before going to bed.

   Cool down time:

   1. Get yourself ready for bed.
   2. Brush your teeth, clean your face, comb your hair.
   3. Take vitamins and other meds.
   4. Bath time! Bubbles mmmmmm...
   5. Put on jammies, or sexy night gown, or... nothing. LOL!
   6. You are now ready for bed. I am not saying that you have to go to bed, but you can, because you are ready to get between those sheets.

   Reflect on today's accomplishments:

   1. Work on your journal, TaDa list (accomplishments), and/or Gratitude Journal.
   2. Read for fun.
   3. Read to each other.
   4. Listen to music. It doesn't matter what kind - just relax, and it has to be something you enjoy, or you won't do it.
   5. Prayer and/or Meditation.
   6. Snuggle in for the night and lights out. Go to bed at a decent time. Preferably at the same time daily!
   7. Fall asleep with a smile on your face and in your heart!

Now, if you are unable to do the entire three part Before Bedtime Routine, that is fine. Start small - just these three items:

1. Clean kitchen sink.
2. Lay out clothes/put clothes away.
3. Brush teeth.

This is my full "morning routine". It took me several months to work up to a full blown morning routine. I did most of the things, but they were not automatic. Now they are. Look at the way I move through the house starting with getting dressed. As I move from room to room, I am finished with most of it. Then I check to see if I have missed anything on my list.

I realize this may seem like a lot, but if you do your "Before Bed Routine", this part is a piece of cake. All you are really doing is getting dressed, sprucing up the bathroom, going to the kitchen, and taking care of yourself. - FlyLady

The morning routine is broken down into four parts:

1. Rise and Shine
   1. Make your bed as soon as you get out of it (unless your DH is still there).
   2. Go into the bathroom.
   3. Shower and clean the bathroom while you are there.
   4. Fix your hair and face.
   5. Swish the toilet and leave the room never to return till later. It is clean and you can forget about it for now.
   6. Leave your bedroom with a load of laundry in hand and go straight to the washer.
   
   
2. Kitchen
   1. If you did your Before Bed Routine, the kitchen is clean and all you need to do is empty the dishwasher.
   2. Make coffee and start breakfast.
   3. Feed the critters.
   4. Feed the family (including yourself).
   
   
3. Think About Your Day
   1. Check your calendar.
   2. Make your list of what you are going to do today (PODA or To Do List)
   3. Thaw something for dinner.
   4. Checkbook (bring down your balance).
   5. Reboot the laundry (put in dryer).
   6. Hit the hotspots. If you did your Before Bed Routine there will not be any.
   
   
4. Now Think About Yourself
   1. Take your vitamins and medications.
   2. Sit down.
   3. Eat breakfast (if you haven't already).
   4. Morning Meditation: God, Imagination, Focus, Thanksgiving (GIFT).
   5. Now reward yourself with some computer time. Check your e-mail.

I want you to think about the things you need to do every week. Select which days you want to do these things, put it on your calendar for next week, and stick to it. Make an appointment with yourself LOL! Try it for one week. It may surprise you that your week can revolve around these appointments. This is what I do. With the Basic Weekly Plan, we decide on a day to do things and stick to it. I never knew how much this would help my lack of organization. Knowing that I do my shopping on Thursday, my cleaning on Monday and my desk day on Friday allows me the freedom to schedule things according to the day. When you know what the day is, you know what has to be done. It is another way to be on autopilot. - FlyLady

Monday: Weekly Home Blessing (8:00am-9:00am)

1. Get Up and Dress to Shoes
2. Laundry
3. Weekly Home Blessing Hour
   1. Cull/toss old magazines.
   2. Change sheets.
   3. Empty all the trash.
   4. Vacuum all rooms.
   5. Mop kitchen and bath.
   6. Clean mirrors and doors.
   7. Feather Dust furniture.

Tuesday: Free Day

1. Water and fertilize plants.
2. Spend 15 minutes in the current zone.

Wednesday: Zone Clean and Partial Desk Time

1. Finish Zone Cleaning Chores.
2. Remainder Weekly Cleaning.
3. Make sure refrigerator is clean.
4. Write thank-you notes.
5. Work on menus and grocery list for next week.
6. Balance check book before going shopping.

Thursday: Grocery and Errand Day

1. Make sure menus are planned before you go shopping.
2. Check grocery list one last time before you walk out the door. Take your list with you.
3. Grocery Day.
4. Errand Day:
   1. Library.
   2. Post office.
   3. Buy gifts and cards.
   4. Buy candles.

Friday: Paperwork and Misc.

1. Be romantic today.
2. Get food from the freezer for next week.
3. File papers.
4. Write letters and cards.
5. Clean out purse.
6. Mend clothes and polish shoes.
7. Pet care (Flea and Heart Meds).
8. Clean out car and check fluids.
9. Clean laundry room.
10. Mail film to Mystic Labs.

Yeah! It's the weekend! Time for the weekend dance! LOL! Have some fun! - FlyLady

Friday: is "Date Night"
Saturday: is "Family Fun Day"
Sunday: is "Renew Your Spirit Day"

To help you create your Basic Weekly Plan, you may want to write out a list of all the things that need to be done in an area. This is the Weekly Checklist. Then schedule these tasks into the Basic Weekly Plan.

This is my list. I keep it accessable all week and use it to cross off the tasks that are done. - FlyLady

1. Scrub floor.
2. Wash area rugs.
3. Clean out refrigerator.
4. Replace foil on drip pans.
5. Sweep decks (all).

1. Polish mirror.
2. Empty trash.
3. Mop floor.
4. Change vacuum bag.

1. Clean Mirror.
2. Vacuum carpet.
3. Dust.
4. Change sheets.

1. Dust furniture.
2. Vacuum carpet.
3. Clean mirrors.
4. Cull/toss old magazines.

1. Plan menu for next week.
2. File County Commissioner Stuff.
3. Write letters and cards.
4. Clean out purse.
5. Water and fertilize plants.
6. Polish shoes and mend clothes.
7. Pet care (flea and heart meds)
8. Clean out truck.
9. Straighten out laundry room.
10. Mail off film to Mystic Labs.
11. Errands:
    1. Grocery.
    2. Library.
    3. Post Office.

As many of you know, my routine evolved over many months by adding a new habit every few weeks. That is what I needed to make the habits stick. We are all different - you have to find what works for you. - FlyLady