10 No-Fail Tips for Getting out the Door Quickly in the Morning

If only every morning could be luxurious: waking up at a golden hour to a lengthy shower and hour of jogging, yoga or meditation; leisurely warming a pot of coffee or tea and munching on a homemade breakfast while gradually waking up, refreshed, to start the day. Unfortunately, most mornings are rough and involve missing shoes, disappearing car keys, and an overpriced cup of subpar coffee as a reward for muscling through the hurried commute. If you can’t rise with the sun and start your day at a relaxing pace, at least you have the tips below to help you better prepare for a stress-free morning.

The Night Before

Preparing yourself for the following day may seem like another task to add to your to-do list, but it truly makes you feel more organized and less stressed when completing it. Integrate these steps into your nightly routine, somewhere between scrubbing off your makeup and packing your lunch or laptop for the following workday. You’d be surprised by how much easier waking up is when you aren’t faced with a million things to do.

1. Pick out your outfit – Ladies know that this is often the biggest time-waster when you’re watching the clock! Check on the local weather forecast and plan your get-up accordingly – from the pants or skirt right down to earrings and tights. Actually slip into the garments to make sure that you like the way they look alongside one another so you won’t be unpleasantly surprised when you’re getting changed and have to be out the door in fifteen minutes. Say goodbye to the ever-frustrating early morning decision making process (and the tornado of clothing on your floor)!

2. Prep your purse – If you like to alternate totes often, or are constantly removing and replacing items into your handbag, coordinate your accessories alongside your outfit. Make sure everything from your Kindle and notes from work to your tube of Chapstick and iPod headphones are tucked safely away, and you’ll never forget these things during your pre-coffee funk again.

3. Preserve your manicure – When doing your nails by hand, don’t skimp on the recommended two coats of base and top polish. Always finish your nail art with a generous swipe or two of clear top coat such as Butter London or Deborah Lippmann sold at Sephora to protect your mani for a few days and put an end to early morning touch ups.

4. Ready your cup – Grabbing a cup of coffee on your way to work can be both expensive and time consuming. Before turning in for the evening, stick in a filter, fill it with the ground coffee of your choice, and have the water all poured and measured. All you have to do is press start!

5. Start the day charged – Depending on the requirements of your phone battery, you might save yourself some serious juice by plugging in your phone before going to bed. If 6 to 8 hours is too long to keep it in, leave your charger right next to your phone so that you remember to get it charging the minute you wake up. No more waiting around for a full battery!

The Morning of

When it’s go time and you’re still dreaming of your fluffy pillows and warm sheets, getting ready for the day should be as effortless as possible. A few simple twists to your morning habits will make for a more productive and overall improved start to your day.

6. Make pooch time – Establish a routine for taking care of your pets in the morning. If you have a dog, take it for a quick jog around the block to get your blood pumping, or out with you to grab the mail. Store their food, bowls, and any medicine in a place that is easy to grab so that you can take care of them in a minute, and spend more time on yourself!

7. Power shower – To cut down on shower time, get a shower radio or have music playing, and time yourself to finish up before the play-through of a particular number of songs (three or four should suffice). If you really want to cut corners, get a specialty shower caddy like these from Bed Bath and Beyond to store your toothbrush and toothpaste so that you can brush your teeth in the shower while you simultaneously rinse out the shampoo. It’s really not weird – try it!

8. Streamline your beauty products – Why take the time meticulously to apply layer after layer of cosmetics when you can get the same result in a fewer number of steps? Opt for a two-in-one cleanser and toner or anti-aging and hydrating lotion from brands like Isomers, sold at ShopHQ. Two-in-one shampoos and conditioners will also stave off shower time; and cosmetics such as Le 2 de Guerlain Mascara comes with two wands to volumize and lengthen lashes. Do a little browsing and see what shortcuts you can find that fit your beauty needs.

9. Save the strays for the weekend – Is there anything more horrifying than realizing you’re in need of a shave or eyebrow pluck when you’re already running late? Save these treatments for the evenings or the weekend. With a few more precious minutes to spare, you can turn what would be a chore into a luxurious bit of self-pampering. Plus, you’re less likely to make a mistake if you’re not in a hurry.

10. Use quick tricks on your locks – Showering, teasing, blow drying and curling or straightening to achieve a perfect head of hair is not a possibility for every morning. Dry shampoos like Batiste will be your best friend in between washes to keep your hair looking clean and dry. And days with zero time to style are the perfect excuse to accessorize with a hat (picked out the night before, of course) like a cute fedora or slouchy beanie. When all else fails, throw your tresses into a super easy sock bun you can make at home!