We have 96 intervals of 15 minutes every day, meaning you have many opportunities to make a difference. Each day this month, I’m giving you a 15-minute project idea. Pick your favorites to improve your day, yourself or your world. I promise you have time for this.

It takes me one hour to get ready each morning and it consists of four 15-minute increments. This saves me time and energy each morning because I know what needs to be done and I’ve got a system to make it as easy as possible to accomplish everything with low or no stress.

We’ll be reviewing each of the four 15-minute increments in the next few days:

• Gratifying Get-Ready Routine For You (7:00 am -7:10 am, 7:25 am-7:30 am)
• Fabulous Hair Every Day (7:10 am – 7:25 am)
• Everyone & Everything Else Ready Too (7:30 am – 7:40 am, 7:55 am – 8:00 am)
• Delicious Dinner Preparation (7:40 am – 7:55 am)

The secret to a morning routine that leaves you feeling prepared for the day starts much earlier than the day begins. You’ll need to prepare in advance, when you have time, so you aren’t stressed when you have to put it all into action. Your “Gratifying Get-Ready Routine For You” is the action steps and I’ll review the needed preparation to get the action done right.

Get up on time.

I set my alarm for 7 am every day. I don’t really need an alarm because I’m a morning person. But I’m always worried that one day I’ll sleep through the alarm and my oldest son will be late for school. If I wake-up before the alarm, I look at social media until the alarm goes off. When the alarm goes off, I get out of bed immediately and begin to get ready.

Quick Tip! If it’s hard for you to get out of bed in the morning, give yourself a reward for making it happen. Maybe it’s a new iPhone song or a long, hot shower at the end of the day–whatever it takes to keep you motivated to start your day.

Lasting Solution! Get enough sleep and go to bed on time. You need sleep; enough sleep. Plan for 9 hours a night. If you can only get 7-8 that is ok too. Any less than that and you’re starting to draw on reserve energy. That energy can only last for so long. You’ll be happier, healthier and less stressed every morning if you make this a priority.

Make the most of your bathroom time.

If you need to take a shower, plan to take a quick one. I like to think of my showers as eco-savvy, but really, I’m trying to maximize my time. Save extra time and brush your teeth in the shower; it takes a little getting used to–but once you do, it’s great. Also try shaving your legs while you’re letting your conditioner soak in to same a few more minutes. Think about other things you can do in the shower to use your bonus minutes wisely.

Quick Tip! Take a shower in the evening so you have a few more minutes in the morning to get ready. Allows your hair to air-dry and reduces the need for hair-drying with damaging hair tools. Plus, if you take a shower in the evening, it can be longer and more relaxing–morning showers are about action. Get in, get clean and get out–quickly!

Tip! If you weigh yourself regularly, this is when you should do it. After using the restroom, before taking a shower, while you’re naked. This is your lowest and real weight–through daily activity, you can gain as much as 5 lbs each day!

Get Dressed Right.

All you should be doing right now is putting on your clothes. If you’re trying to make decisions, you’re taking extra, unnecessary time in your morning routine. If you’re tired or stressed, this will just add to it–and of course nothing will fit when you’re in a bad mood.

Tip! Plan what you’ll wear in advance. You can pick clothes the evening before or I’d recommend selecting a week worth of outfits on the weekend. This way if something doesn’t fit or look right, it’s no problem because you have plenty of time to pick an alternate or wash a favorite item. When I need more ideas, I look at my SparkBook or my Signature Style Pinterest Page. Set these items out (including shoes, accessories and jewelry) so all you’re doing is putting the clothes on your body.

Lasting Solution! Only buy clothes that you love, that fit who you are right now (both in taste and size) and will last. Use this to develop your signature style (more on this soon!) Stay away from cheap, trendy fashions. They go out of style as quickly as they come in. Get rid of everything in your closet that doesn’t make you feel your best.

My closet contains pieces that fit my signature style in a few key categories: jackets/cardigans, unique shirts, skirts/dresses, professional pants/shorts and fancy/comfortable shoes. I know what works best for me in each of these categories and only buy these items.