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 Time Management: How To Gain An Extra Hour Every Day Book Review - The Morning Routine

If the time management tips don't meet that criteria they are unlikely to stick and become a beneficial habit.

So when I checked over the chapter on the morning routine I was taken with some of the suggestions. Not all of them apply in my case although tips on how to organize the bathroom and dressing time-savers were interesting.

It's About Attitude

The main points I got from this chapter had to do with attitude and the early start. If we lie in bed willing ourselves to get up precious minutes can evaporate and before we know it another twenty minutes has gone and when we do get up we are immediately under pressure and racing the clock.

So why not try and think of the most enjoyable thing you have to do that day and concentrate on that rather than on any discouraging things. Firing oneself up mentally shortly after waking up by thinking positive thoughts can make a person want to get out of bed.

I've been using this suggestion for the last month and boy, what a difference it has made!

The Early Start

Added to that, the encouragement to get an early start has also made a big difference to my daily routine. While this suggestion in itself may demand a lot of effort and pain for some, by preparing oneself candy gift baskets and getting in the right frame of mind on waking, it actually can be absorbed relatively easily.

A number of real life experiences are given in this book of very productive people who practice time management either consciously or almost unawares.

One of America's wealthiest men, Sam Walton, for example, could show up at one of his warehouses as 4 in the morning and have engaging conversations with his staff. That may be a bit much for many people but I get the principle.

Many top executives, often individuals very aware of time management, are in their office by 6 or 7 in the morning and find that a very productive time.

The experience of a writer, William J. Lederer, was particularly inspiring, especially as many writers struggle with the 'getting started' problem. He disciplined himself nursing college early, at 4 in the morning, and work for 4 hours through to 8 o'clock. With practice he became more productive so he could eventually do the same amount of work by getting up at 5:30 and working until 8. He persevered so the habit became ingrained and now it's almost automatic.

The Winston Churchill Strategy

One idea which may appeal to a few is the stay-in-bed work regime. Winston Churchill is cited as an example. During the war years he would wake between 7 and 8 and then catch candy gift baskets reading and dictating while propped up with pillows in bed until lunchtime on many days. Conserving his strength and mental agility in this way enabled him to live extraordinary days.