One year ago I was sitting in front of my computer, composing my goals for 2015.  I’ve  been a big fan of goal-setting instead of resolution-making since I began following Crystal Paine on Money Saving Mom years ago.  Through goal-setting I’ve been able to read great books, advance  in my teaching career, spend more time with my family, and lose pregnancy weight.

So, as I was thinking about my goals for 2015, I decided to throw in one goal that completely terrified me. I decided that I would publish one piece of writing in 2015.  Talk about scary huge!

I have always loved to write.  I was the girl who kept a notebook with me at all times so that I could jot down story ideas or lines of a poem I didn’t want to forget.  In college I majored in English primarily so that I could read really good books and write as much as I wanted.  I always wanted to write, and I dreamed about having my work published.

Once I become a mother, though,  I put that dream to the side.

But now that dream was a goal–and goals require action.  How was I going to reach my goal?  I already felt like I had a busy, full life as a full-time teacher and mother of three little ones.  How was I going to find time to write?

That was when I discovered the power of mornings.

I began taking a video course created by Crystal Paine called Make Over Your Mornings.  The 14-day course inspired me to think through my priorities, create a workable morning routine, and actually implement it.  I realized that by using my mornings more effectively, I could reach my lifelong dream of becoming a published writer.  And, it all began with a simple plan.

My Simple Morning Plan

1. Get Up 15 Minutes Before My Children

I began by setting my alarm for 5:45 each morning.  Our children get up at 6:00 so that we can get out the door before 7:00.  Now, I value my sleep greatly.  It’s a precious commodity when you have young ones (mine were 5, 2, and 1)!  However, I knew that I had to carve out time in my schedule for what was important to me.  I also knew that I was most alert and creative early in the morning before the distractions of the day got me sidetracked.

2. Write for 15 Minutes

Once I was up, I sat down to write.  I set a timer on my computer and wrote for 15 minutes solid.  Once the timer went off, my time belonged to my family again.  I got ready, woke my kids up, and began our day together.

That was it!  So simple, right?  Yet, it completely changed my life.

What 15 Minutes a Day Can Do

What did I write in those 15 minutes a day?

-I wrote a guest post for Money Saving Mom in which I shared my tips for selling on Teachers Pay Teachers.

-That went over so well that I decided I could write a blog of my own.  So, I began The Orthodox Mama so that I could create a community conversation about faith, family, and frugal living.

-Since I was already writing about frugal living, I decided to create my own e-book.  I wrote 7 Proven Ways to Earn Extra Money and published it through Amazon Kindle.

-Then I decided that I had always wanted to write a children’s book, so now would be a good time to start.  By writing 15 minutes a day, I was able to write my first children’s book, edit it, and submit it to a publisher.

What can 15 minutes a day accomplish?  Anything you can imagine.

The Best Resource to Help You 

Would you like to have stress-free mornings this upcoming school year?  Do you want to learn how to create your own evening and morning routines that will help you eliminate the crazy and focus on the productive?

Crystal Paine, of Money Saving Mom, has created two amazing courses that I have used and loved.  In fact, pretty much everything I have learned about homemaking routines has come from her!

Crystal’s courses are called Make Over Your Mornings and Make Over Your Evenings, and I do not exaggerate when I say that they will change your life.  Because of them, I was able to create a peaceful atmosphere in my house, find time to start a blog, and write two books.  Talk about life-changing!

Simply click HERE to find out more about the courses themselves.  You can even see the first lesson for free!  There is also a money-back guarantee, so you literally have nothing to lose.

When you do, I’d love to hear about your experience.  Let me know what you think!

Do you have a morning routine?  What do you do?

(This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)

(Linked to Share the Wealth.)