Wake up successful every morning

The secret to waking up successful is easier than you think. To tackle the day ahead at your numero uno best, all you need is a morning routine!

The Importance of a Morning Routine

Before we jump into the specifics, let’s take a moment and talk about the benefits of a morning routine. For starters, people are the most productive when they wake up, and setting up a routine ensures that they maintain that level of productivity for longer periods of time. Following a system when you first wake up, means you’ll have the opportunity to be organised for the rest of the day. More importantly, this daily habit helps you create energy and the right “mindset” to tackle the challenges of a busy day.

So how do the #smartgirls start their day? Here’s a peek into our waking-up-successful morning routines:

Kirstin Botha • Human resources & client liaison

• I’m an Early bird
• Step 1 – First thing you do when waking-up: Put on the kettle – I always start the day with my Rooibos tea with honey & lemon
• Step 2: I eat my breakfast of oats with blueberries & rasberries
• Step 3: I listen to good music – anything from indie rock to pop, R&B and even Eminem. It’s clears my mind
• Step 4: Shower
• Step 5: Apply make-up – I stick to a natural look for work. I use a good primer, BB cream as base, nude eye shadow, a great mascara and I finish with a touch of cream blush
• Step 6: Get dressed
• Step 7: Drive to work
• Step 8 – the first thing you do when starting your workday: I switch on my PC, take out my cell phone, hand cream and lip cream from my bag to have near by when needed throughout the day.
• My morning routine cannot do without: My morning shower

Mokgadi Kganakga • Admin & finance official

• I’m an Early bird
• Step 1 – First thing you do when waking-up: I drink a glass of water – I believe it is very important to stay hydrated throughout your day
• Step 2: I go to gym or run in the mornings
• Step 3: Take a shower
• Step 4: Eat breakfast – I prefer All bran flakes or oats
• Step 5: Read my morning passage for the Bible
• Step 6: Get dressed
• Step 7: Drive to work
• Step 8 – the first thing you do when starting your workday: I make tea – green tea or rooibos tea only
• My morning routine cannot do without: My first glass of water

Jeani Meyer • Executive Director

• I’m a Night owl
• Step 1 – First thing you do when waking-up I check the weather of the day
• Step 2: Take my morning shower and brush my teeth.
• Step 3: I take time to choose and style my outfit for the day – I like to have fun with my outfits and fashion!
• Step 4: Apply make-up – My signature look for work is a defined eye, rosy cheeks and nude pink lip
• Step 5: Style my hair
• Step 6: Do the school run and drop my two kiddies off at their respective schools
• Step 7: Call my hubby on my way to work – on blue tooth – to discuss schedules, reminders and have our daily uninterrupted chat
• Step 8 – the first thing you do when starting your workday: I start my day at the office with a coffee and check my e-mails
• My morning routine cannot do without: My morning shower is essential – it wakes me up!

Jana Neveling • Creditor controller

• I’m an Early bird
• Step 1 – First thing you do when waking-up Brush my teeth
• Step 2: I drink my first cup of coffee
• Step 3: I take a shower and wash my hair daily
• Step 4: I drink my second cup of coffee
• Step 5: I style my hair
• Step 6: I apply make-up – I prefer a minimal natural make-up look for work
• Step 7: Get dressed
• Step 8: Drink my last cup of coffee for the morning and the rest of the day (I only drink coffee in the mornings – never at work, only Rooibos tea)
• Step 9: Put on my shoes it’s the last thing I do before I’m ready to go.
• Step 10: I apply lip stick in my car and then drive to work
• Step 11– the first thing you do when starting your workday: I switch on my PC and check my enquiry file
• My morning routine cannot do without: My 3 cups of morning coffee

Nicolette van Dyk • Debtors & invoicing

• I’m an Early bird
• Step 1 – First thing you do when waking-up: I get dressed for my morning run
• Step 2: Run 8-10km
• Step 3: Drink my first morning coffee
• Step 4: Take a hot morning bath (I prefer a morning bath to a shower, especially after a run)
• Step 5: Get dressed for work
• Step 6: Apply make-up – My signature look for work is defined cheeks, earthy eye shadows, mascara, soft nude lips.
• Step 7: Style hair
• Step 8: Do the school run – pack lunches, get the kids dressed and drop kids of at school
• Step 9: Drive to work
• Step 10– the first thing you do when starting your workday: I switch on my PC, drink my second cup of coffee and grab a quick bit to eat – usually toast with a slice of cheese
• My morning routine cannot do without: Coffee!

Sune Sieberts • Client liaison & reception

• I’m a Night owl
• Step 1 – First thing you do when waking-up: I check Facebook
• Step 2: Read my daily scriptures
• Step 3: Take a morning bath of 30 min. I use this time to relax and clear my mind before the hustle and bustle of the day
• Step 4: I have a morning chat with my Mom
• Step 5: Get dressed
• Step 6: I apply make-up
• Step 7: I style my hair
• Step 8: Drive to work
• Step 9 – the first thing you do when starting your workday: Drink coffee and have a morning chat with the #smartgirls at the office
• My morning routine cannot do without: My morning chat with my Mom

Wendy Mostert • Admin & finance executive

• I’m an Early bird
• Step 1 – First thing you do when waking-up: Check on our dogs and sort their morning snack
• Step 2: I make and pack the kids’ lunch boxes
• Step 3: Wake-up the kids
• Step 4: Make breakfast for the kids
• Step 5: Drink a glass of water, milk or juice
• Step 6: The kids get a special treat – breakfast in bed!
• Step 7: In summer time I’ll take a morning shower, but in winter I prefer a hot bath
• Step 8: Get dressed
• Step 9: Apply make-up – I prefer a natural minimal look for work
• Step 10: Style my hair
• Step 11: Wake my hubby
• Step 12: Check that kids are ready for school and they have everything they need for the day
• Step 13: Drive to work
• Step 14 – the first thing you do when starting your workday: Turn on my PC, unlock the front office door, check e-mails and have a quick breakfast cereal.
• My morning routine cannot do without: My morning shower or bath

There you have it! Whether you have a 8 or 14 step morning routine, if you can optimise your morning routines, you’ve set yourself up to have a productive day ahead of you. Remember, your morning defines the rest of your day, so make the most of it and wake up successful every morning!