To me, this topic never gets old!

I’m learning that morning routines are not a one-size-fits-all recipe, but that they change according to season. That’s a good thing.

Before having kids, my morning routine was tried and true and I never wavered from it. After having my first baby, I quickly realized that I didn’t know morning from night, and there was no routine other than “eat, wake, sleep” around the clock. I deeply missed my morning routine, but the Lord taught me all about abiding in Him throughout my day - a lesson even more important than sticking to my routine. (Maybe another blogpost for another day!)

I’m sure my routine will continue to change according to season - when all my kids go to elementary, middle, and high school, and when we are empty nesters one day. But I know I’ll keep coming back to it. It anchors my spirit, soul and body in such a wonderful way!

Know this: wherever you are in life, create a morning routine that works for YOU.

I love these words from Essentialism: “Highly creative people use strict routines to free up their minds. Most creative individuals find out early what their best rhythms are for sleeping, eating, and working, and abide by them even when it is tempting to do otherwise.... personalizing patterns of action helps to free the mind from the expectations that make demands on attention and allows intense concentration on matters that count.”

Bottom line: routines are LIFEGIVING!

So here’s the deal: I’m currently at home with a newborn baby. My morning routine? Non-existent. BUT, I have decided to share my morning routine I implemented when I was pregnant with two small kiddos, which is a bit more relatable than newborn life, when everything is turned on its head (including night and day).

My Morning Routine

6:00 Alarm goes off

6:05 Light candle, grab favorite blanket, set out journal, Bible, favorite pen and highlighter

6:15 Pour myself a cup of coffee, and sit in silence for 2-5 minutes.

This is my “wake up” time. I sit silently and pray, asking God to speak to me. It helps me not rush into “doing” too much.

6:20 Read Scripture

6:30 Journal favorite scriptures and what God is saying to me

6:45 Pray over my husband, my children, and the appointments and work I have planned for the day

6:55 Look at my schedule / tasks and ask God’s help to prioritize the most important things (Favorite book on this topic: What’s Best Next)

7:00 Read 10 pages from current book

7:15 Get up and get dressed for the day!

A few things that really help my morning routine succeed:

• I make coffee the night before and set it to brew a few minutes before I wake up. It is such a time saver and also makes me excited to get out of the bed - knowing the coffee is waiting for me!

• I also tidy the living room the night before and set out my Bible, Journal, Pens and Blanket in my favorite spot on the couch

• I use this alarm clock to wake me up with a sunrise. This allows me to sleep with a phone in a different room, and I don’t get distracted looking at my phone first thing in the morning.

• I keep a flexible attitude. If Milly wakes up early and snuggles me during this time, I always welcome her with a smile and put my arm around her. Sometimes I’ll stop my routine early, and sometimes I’ll give her a show to watch because mama needs to finish her time with Jesus. I just go with my gut for that day.

• I get in bed at a reasonable time. Otherwise sleep allllways sounds like the better choice!

I really have loved learning about how other successful people have a morning routine. Two of my recent favorites have been Michael Hyatt and Allie Cassazza.

Here is what I remember from learning about their morning routines through listening to their podcasts!

Michael Hyatt’s morning routine

• Wake up

• Make a quick cup of coffee

• Sit on the couch while listening to the sound of the ocean for 15 minutes

• Pray and read the Bible

• Exercise (usually a run around the neighborhood)

• Shower

• Eat breakfast

• Get dressed

• Begin working
  
  

Allie Casazza’s morning routine

• Wake Up

• Sit on the ground and drink a cup of coffee

• Walk around the room and pray for her day and her family

• Journal 3 pages (1 page of gratitude)

• Read a chapter in a book

So, I’d love to hear: What are your favorite morning routine habits? Do you have a morning routine, or would you like to start one?

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Every year in December, I plan a time to get away, pray over the following year, and set goals. Some years I have super clarity on what I want to do, and other years I’m confused and don’t know where to start. BUT, when I follow this plan, I always walk away with more clarity than if I hadn’t done anything at all.

As a mama, the first key to this is to PLAN AHEAD! Plan an afternoon or evening to myself. I schedule it in the calendar ahead of time and ask Will to watch the girls.

Then, I buy all the Goal Setting Things:

• White Poster Board

• Fat Sharpie

• Powersheets

• Favorite Pens

Step 1: I work through my Powersheets the month of December

One thing I’ve learned about Powersheets over the years: they take time, and I am impatient. They are amazing because they are very thorough, but goodness I like to get going much faster and sometimes I’ll skip doing the work if I don’t plan for the time to do it. So, in the beginning of December, I begin working through the Prep Work of Powersheets as part of my morning routine or in the evenings before I go to bed.

Step 2: The White Board Brainstorm

This part is so fun for me! I get a big white poster board (less than $2), a fat Sharpie, and I write 2019 at the top of it. During naptime one afternoon, I brainstorm all kinds of ideas for the year. I try to hit all the major categories: work, health, relationships, etc. Here’s what one looked like for me a few years back!

After I complete my brainstorm, I take a picture of it so I can have it on my phone to reference for the next step.

Step 3: An Afternoon Away for Mama

This is the final step in my yearly goal setting tradition. I love getting away to a coffee shop - preferably one that is less busy where I won’t be interrupted. Then I finish and finalize my Powersheets, referencing the photo of my White Poster Board the whole time. Once they are finalized, I blog them here to share for accountability! And because I love reading other people’s goals, too!

Do you have a yearly goal setting ritual?

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“I could never take a sabbatical.”
“No one could do my job for me.”
“What if they mess up?”
“What if I miss an opportunity?”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – delegating is one of the hardest, most rewarding aspects of being a business owner. Taking extended time off is one of the most challenging and best things a Type A person like me can do. And there’s nothing quite like having a baby to force you to take some much needed time off to be away with family!

This time around, I kept thinking to myself – I’ve done this before, and I’ve hired someone new. I’m in a better place than last time I did this, so it’ll be easy peasy!


WRONG.

I’ve found that there were some important things I forgot! And to be honest – now I’m in a time crunch. We’ve realized it’s GO time.

Taking extended time off is all about setting clear expectations, communicating clearly, and training your team.

Because I want to always keep improving, and I want to help you along the way if you ever want to take a sabbatical or maternity leave, here are…

10 STEPS TO TAKE TO PREPARE FOR EXTENDED TIME OFF:

1. Add a footer to your email signatures 2 months before you go on leave. This is a great way to set expectations across the board in your communication. Here is my current signature:

**A NOTE about MATERNITY LEAVE**
I’m about to have a baby! I’ll be taking maternity leave July 17th – October 31st,  and will not be answering emails during that time. Callie and Olivia will be managing the studio and my emails while I am away! Please contact Olivia@nancyrayphotography.com if you need anything while I am in newborn la la land.

2. Make a master list of things to do, dividing them into two categories: Tasks and Responsibilities. I first started with a giant brain dump of everything that needed to get done, but ended up filtering them into “Tasks to be completed before I leave” and “Responsibilities for you to take over while I’m gone.” I, along with each member of my team, have a Maternity Planning Checklist of Tasks and Responsibilities we are slowly checking off prior to my last day.

3. Schedule Team Meetings to discuss lists, progress, and issues that come up along the way. We currently have 4 Team Meetings Scheduled between now and when I leave!

4. Write a blogpost (like this one!) to set expectations for your readers / followers. Enough said.

5. Email your close vendor friends, including any you plan to work with while on leave. For example – I’ll be shooting 2 weddings while I’m on maternity leave. I am going to reach out to those planners NOW, so I don’t have to worry about emailing them later. I’ll let them know that I’ll need time to pump built into the wedding day, and I’ll ask them to go ahead and send me the timelines as soon as they are able.

6. DELETE ALL EMAILS while you are away! No, I’m not kidding. Let’s clarify though… I’m not talking about completely shutting your business down while on leave. But I am saying – redirect all emails to your team, to other resources, to your instagram, to your blog. (I learned this little tip from Michael Hyatt!)

7. Draft and schedule your Away Signature to let them know about #6. Here is my email signature. Feel free to customize it and use it!

Hello!

Thank you so much for your email!  I am currently on maternity leave until November 1, 2017. We are so excited to welcome #babyrayinjuly into our family, and you are welcome to follow along with our journey as new parents on Instagram and our blog.

If you are a current or potential client or vendor, you are very important to us! You will hear from the studio within 72 hours. If you are inquiring about our wedding and family photography services, we are still accepting bookings during this time, and we look forward to connecting with you!

All other emails received will be deleted from my inbox, which may seem extreme! But, I know how important it is to completely step away from my business in order to be fully present with my family during this time. If you would like to get in touch with me, please re-send your email when I’m back at work beginning in November.

Thank you so much for your understanding! Here’s to a new season filled with sleepless nights and lots of cuddles!

Warmly,

Nancy Ray

Follow the #nrpteam on Instagram!

Nancy : @nancyray
Will : @willrray
Callie : @calliepdavis
Elizabeth :  @elizabethtate_
Olivia : @oliviawolf

8. Send one final email to your Family, Friends, Vendors and Email list on your last day of work to seal the deal. Let them know what they can expect from you (or not expect from you) in the coming months!

9. Plan to take off at least two weeks before your due date. This isn’t something I did with Milly, and I wish I had. I felt like I was thrown from a crazy storm of work into crazy newborn life, and there was no room to catch my breath in between. I was literally working while I was in labor, as I was trying to launch a brand new website. I’m looking forward to some days off (as long as baby doesn’t come early!) and some quality Milly-mama time before baby #2 comes.

10. Plan in some time for YOU. On my list? Get a manicure and pedicure. Get the house cleaned. Get a haircut. Get the carpets cleaned. Go to Whole Foods and buy some fresh fruit and flowers.