Prepack your family's backpacks

Prepare and Pre-Pack
What do you wish for your morning routine? Create a "to do" checklist for each day—at least until you establish a consistency. Talk with your kids about what their morning routines should look like too. Young kids may have fun drawing pictures of each step of their morning schedules, while adolescents and teens can benefit from creating "responsibility charts" that will help them sail smoothly through their daily routines. Make pre-packing easier by creating inboxes (and in turn, their outboxes) for each person. Have each person unload their backpack (or your purse or work bag), and keep important papers and must-haves for next day's use.

Keep Reading: A simpler morning routine is in reach
woman working from home

Get Future Focused
Go over your next day's schedule before bed.  Check the weather report too. You'll sleep better—and dress better—if you know as much as possible of what's in store. And don't forget to call ahead for carpool so you don't spend half the morning making last-minute transportation arrangements for kids' activities. Arrange all necessary transportation as early as possible, at least the day before. If you're driving, fill the gas tank the night before if you're running low.
 
Keep Reading: Stress-proof your morning with more time-savers
woman working while getting ready for work

Work Before Play
Naturally, you might want to "have a moment" before kicking off your day. Time management expert Laura Stack says, "It can be easy to sit down with a cup of coffee and get sucked into surfing the Web." She says that working women should shower and get dressed before they start any morning tasks. For moms, she says, "If you miss that chance to take care of yourself first, then later, when your kids start tearing each other's hair out, your makeup just isn't going to happen."

Keep Reading: More faster-is-better tips from time management expert Laura Stack
Brushing Teeth

Photo: Thinkstock

Take Turns
Coordinate the bathroom schedules of the people you live with.
on the go breakfast

Make a Fast Breakfast Matter
Have the coffee machine prepared so that all you have to do is press "on," or make a pitcher of iced coffee ahead of time. Keep a to-go cup handy so you can have your morning jolt while you drive your kids to school. Have a lineup of several routine breakfasts to serve, with at least one being portable. "If you're making a smoothie in the morning, put everything in the blender with the lid on the night before and store it in the fridge," Stack says. You can also set out nonperishables and any pots or pans you might need in advance. 

Keep Reading: 9 scrumptious and energizing breakfast recipes
women drinking water

Swap Caffeinated Drinks for Water
Caffeine fires up fight-or-flight hormones (like adrenaline) which can give you a temporary energy boost, but when those hormones wear off, your energy crashes. Personal trainer Jim Karas says to train yourself to enjoy Mother Nature's elixir and your energy (and morning productivity) may increase.

Keep Reading: 4 quick and easy energy boosters
woman looking in her closet

Plan Your Outfit
Prearrange your clothes, ironing anything that needs it. When possible, buy wrinkle-free. O Creative Director Adam Glassman says, "Go for low-maintenance fabrics: stain-resistant, wrinkle-free pieces that emerge from the washer and dryer looking polished. And develop a stylish, authoritative uniform: a well-fitting top and pants or trouser-style jeans."

Keep Reading: Adam's list for a mess-proof wardrobe
timer

Time Yourself
Ready...set...shower! If you tend to linger too long when you check email, eat breakfast or any consistent daily task, organization expert Julie Morgenstern suggests setting a timer to keep everything on track.

Keep Reading: More quick morning tips from Julie
woman washing your face

About Face
Your face doesn't get dirty while you sleep; splash it with water instead of using a cleanser in the morning (unless you're very oily). Skin toner too. You may like how it feels, but it doesn't improve your skin. 

Keep Reading: 50 ways to speed up your beauty routine
woman in shower

A Smarter (Colder) Shower
Replace your regular soap with a foaming shower oil or hydrating body wash so you can clean and moisturize at the same time. Don't bother with body scrubs or peels—use a damp washcloth (with a little pressure) to exfoliate in the shower. Always use shaving gel. It gives you a closer shave so you won't have to use your razor as often, and it's hydrating. 

Try ending your morning shower with a spray of cold water—it can be incredibly invigorating. Research from the London-based Thrombosis Research Institute found that cold water improved participants' blood circulation and offered them renewed vigor.

Keep Reading: More ways to fend off morning fatigue
woman cutting her hair

Practically Perfect Hair
Wear your hair between chin and shoulder length so it's short enough to air-dry and style quickly but long enough to pull back if you need to. It takes a lot of time to fight your hair's natural texture, so choose a cut that complements it. When you don't have time to style your bangs (or they're just not cooperating), use a wide (two-inch) headband to smooth them back. The band will look most stylish positioned close (about half an inch) to the hairline. Another morning quickie? After you've applied body lotion, hand cream, or sunscreen, smooth whatever is left on your hands over your hair to tame flyaways. If your hair looks dirty, spray the roots with hairspray—the alcohol in it absorbs excess oil.

Keep Reading: How fast can you be ready?
woman putting on lipstick

Makeup for Lost Time
Keep your makeup case organized, and minimal, with your everyday things most accessible. Have two different makeup routines—one normal, one makeup "lite" for really rushed days. 

Keep Reading: Must-have makeup brushes
woman holding remote control

No News is Good News
You might want to try avoiding the news in the morning—at least until the bulk of your to-do list is complete. Depressing reports can distract you from efficiently accomplishing your a.m. routine—getting ready for work, feeding the kids, mentally preparing for a good day, says Los Angeles lifestyle coach Ruth Klein. If you really want to watch a morning show, DVR it. 

Keep Reading: How to get 7 more hours in your day
Charger

Photo: Thinkstock

Charge It
Keep your cell phone in its charger, right on top of your briefcase or purse.
boy getting in car

Keep the Peace
Tempers can flare when children are still half asleep. Prevent sibling spats by making sure your house rules cover things like sharing clothes, bathroom etiquette and sharing front-seat privileges on the way to school. 

Keep Reading: More efficiency tips for busy moms
girl doing dishes

Stop Catering to the Kids
If you find yourself going out of your way to do everything for your family in the morning, no wonder you're scrambling to get out the door. According to time management expert Laura Stack, some parents overcompensate for the way they were raised—and don't let their kids do anything. "Parents are not servants; they're teachers," Stack says. "It's okay to let other people pack the lunches or make the beds—even if they don't do it the same way you do," she says. Stack suggests chores for each child to help speed up the get-out-the-door process. A good rule to enforce is that kids don't get their privileges—watching TV, playing video games, talking on the phone—until after they fulfill their responsibilities. Stand firm. You can try a chore-reward system (think, extra playdates) if you achieve a week of on-time arrival and departures. 

Keep Reading: How to embrace your crazy, chaotic life
woman getting distracted

Above All...Stay Focused
Morning is no time to be industrious. If you're hit by the urge to wash a few dishes, pay a few bills, or clean up old e-mail and mail—fight it! Once you have your morning routine down and get everyone out the door and on their way, aim to streamline after-school, after-work and post-kids-bedtime efficiency strategies. 

Keep Reading: How to de-clutter your life