I recently asked for a series of questions for a Q & A segment I will be featuring on our soon-to-launch YouTube channel, and one of the most reoccurring questions was, “Where do you get the energy to do all you do in a day?”  It wasn’t until I was asked to do a “Day in the life of” feature a few years back that I realized how much I get done in a day, and how I do it.  Here are some tips and advice on what works for me and keeps me plowing forward through my daily to-dos.

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1.) Early to bed early is rise. This one is a simple concept but probably the main factor that determines how much I get done in a day.  I start my day at 4:30 am on exercise days, and 6:00 am on the days I rest.  Early morning workouts work for me.  Elle’s activities usually occupy my afternoons, so it’s either ungodly hours of the morning or no workout at all.  I will admit that I love the idea of working out while my family is asleep because I feel like I didn’t miss a thing, and I’m back with enough time to get everyone dressed, fed, and out of the door.  It makes me feel empowered and like a total bad ass, plus an early morning workout gives me a great energy to kickstart my day.  This all sounds wonderful, but the other side of the coin is come early afternoon, I’m exhausted, but I just know that I need to go to bed early if I want to do it all over again the next day.

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2.) Eat to perform. This one is also a simple concept but it’s so crucial to my energy and pretty much everything in my life.  The better I eat, the better I feel, simple as that.  This is why during the week I try to eat as clean as possible.  I have a good breakfast and pack healthy snacks to fuel up every few hours.  I always drink some form of green juice and my recent favorite is “Daily Greens” and I also drink kombucha daily.   I try to have a light lunch of a salad because I find that when I eat heavier, I tend to feel tired and want to slow down.  I also drink green and black tea throughout the day when I need a little pick me up, along with squares of dark chocolate.  At dinner time, anything goes. I eat whatever my body craves if it’s reasonable (and sometimes it’s not, and I’m ok with that).

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3.) Plan and schedule. Wasted time is by far the worst thing that can happen to me.  I always plan my day and try to stick with a routine that works for me.  This means figuring out my days by 30-minute intervals with plenty of time to get from point A to point B (I hate running late or being in a hurry). I make sure my errands are planned by distance so I’m not wasting gas and time by driving from one end of town to another.  I pick stores where I can get most of shopping list out of the way so I have less stops, and I usually know what times those stores are less busy.  I also try not to wait until the last minute to do things or buy things my household requires so that I have that extra wiggle room, in case I get off schedule or unexpected issues arise.  This kind of stress can completely drain your energy.

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4.) Distract distractions.  I have a confession I know nothing about “Game of Thrones” or “This is us”  I don’t exactly live under a rock but I don’t watch a lot of TV (unless is the Disney Channel with Elle, I’m totally up on my Vamperina and Puppy Dog Pals).  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy television but I don’t have a lot of time for it and since I have an obsessive nature I avoid starting shows, especially in this instant gratification Netflix era where I have the opportunity to binge watch entire seasons.  This happened to me with “Stranger Things” one late Saturday night that turned into Sunday morning.  I vowed never again! I also limit my scrolling time, this one is hard for me because Instagram has become my guilty pleasure but I try to limit the amount of time I’m on it by using it between tasks or while I’m waiting.  Find the things that are taking up your day and evaluate their worth and importance.  I’d much rather crush my day then stare at a TV or phone screen.

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5.) Know that you can. As women, we are capable of so much more than we think.  We were wired to multitask and do it well, but sometimes we lack the confidence in ourselves and cut our capabilities short.  Look at those women you look up to and know they have the same amount of hours in their day.  If they can do it, you can do it!

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This is the formula that works for me, these are the things I’ve found that keep me running at my optimum levels, but here is my disclaimer… I’m tired, I’m tired like all time, but more than tired, I’m happy.  I feel good at the end of day with all that I have accomplished and it empowers me.  So when I have a day off or I’m on vacation, I do it hard. ‘ Work hard, play hard’ is my manta and I repeat it daily, try it!

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XOXO Linda