Let's face it. Some of us have jobs that are so laborious that they literally take every bit of energy out of us and leave us drained by the time we get into our automobiles to head for home. Employers are very aware of one important thing besides time here...energy!

It has long been known that upon a restful night's sleep, we have been charged up to meet the next day and we are at top charge when we awake...even though, for some of us, this may not seem true. Once in a routine, we are accustomed to rising up, get ourselves together for the work day and head out.

Employers know that we are at our prime when we awake and it behooves them to get us out there in the field the earliest possible time...many times, at the crack of dawn! It almost seems unfair, but it is what it is.

Build On Your Routine

Most employees are painfully aware that their lives are highly routinized and that it is mostly at the whim of their employers.

You can beat your employer at his game by conditioning yourself to get to bed earlier and getting up earlier. If you get adequate rest at night, regardless to what hour you get up, you will be rested, though this does take effort and a change of habits.

I've been in a number of jobs (including the one I'm currently at now) where being at the jobsite at 7:00 am is the order of the day. For me, this means being up at 6:30 am and being out to catch my ride at 7:10 am to be at the jobsite at 7:30. I've worked many jobs where 7:00 begins the workday.

In this situation, I get up at 5:30, let my eyes clear and jump into what I can do in an hour's time. I have a number of issues that need attention and I use this time to address one or more of them. It is important to plan what you will do with this time so it is no issue to hop right to it!

If I've not been drained during the day (some days are easier and less laborious than others) I try to get in more in the afternoon after work, though, for me, this is rare. Usually, though, a short nap helps.

With routinized lives the employee must live, it is that much more important to structure time off and plan out how it will be used. There should also be goals.

Let's talk about To-Do lists...