We all get the same 24 hours in a day, but why does it feel like some of us can get so much more done in the same amount of time? How is it that some people just seem to stay focused and lose their crap less often than others? Over the years, much has been theorized, discussed and debated about the secrets to productivity, success, and happiness. One common thing that all the research has pointed to? A morning routine.

So when Hannah Northcott and Rebecca Archer, the visionary women behind the Well Women Community here in Beijing, launched their Magical Morning Mastermind last year, I decided to sign up. I was lured by the promise of less chaotic and rushed mornings; of flowing productivity that will carry on throughout the day as a result of the Magical Morning routine, or MM as it’s affectionately termed.

So, I hear your question, “How was it?” In two words, game changer. One year on from that 21 day workshop, most days I continue to wake up just a little earlier than the rest of the family, because that isolation determines my focus, and I practice the 7 MM tools. I’ve tweaked them to make it work for me, and it comes naturally now. The results I, as well as others around me, have observed:

Better time management: I no longer scramble as much throughout the day from appointment to appointment.
Better temper: I don’t get quite as upset quite as often – my kid can attest to this.
Focus: I tend to stay on task until it’s done, rather than getting distracted halfway through.
Memory: I misplace fewer things and find myself remembering what I said I would do more often.

This year, Archer and Northcott are spreading the magic and taking their MM course online! This decision was made because they learned from last year’s live workshop that it’s extremely challenging to coordinate multiple schedules for a live workshop. A digital course accompanied by a live community group is a solution that fits most schedules, whilst promising support when needed. This MM digital course will be available on Teachable from Jan 19 for a special introductory price of RMB 599.

As a jingkids exclusive, the dynamic duo is giving one reader free access to their digital course! To win this life-changing course, all you have to do is tell us “Why you need Magical Morning in your life” in the comments section below. Northcott and Archer will pick and announce the winner on Sunday, Jan 23 during their free introductory webinar.

So go on then, tell us why you need Magical Morning in your life for a chance to win your own Magical Mornings!

KEEP READING: Celebrate CNY With a Sustainable and Meaningful Touch

Images: Dave’s Studio, Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush, Well Women

Over the past year and a half, staying at home has become commonplace for people all around the globe. And while many of us have found Covid lockdowns both exhausting and boring, one thing the whole ordeal has left us with is plenty of time to carefully plan what we’ll do when life gets back to normal.

So, to help you prepare for life after Covid, here are four things you can do to ensure that you enter a much brighter future.

Start new hobbies

One of the best ways to truly appreciate your time at home is to find a new hobby or dive deeper into one you already have. Whether you enjoy music, writing, sports, or something else entirely, there are numerous ways you can spend time engaging in those activities behind closed doors. Personally, I can attest to the fact that having nothing to do is in fact the best time to learn and develop new skills that will help you in the future.

Meet new communities and people

Thanks to the internet, meeting new people has never been easier, and my generation knows better than any that building a tight-knit community doesn’t start and end in the “real world.” Online penpals are a fact of life for today’s teens, and given that kids across the globe are stuck inside, there’s no better time to strike up an online friendship than now. Through the use of social media platforms such as WeChat, meeting new people is as simple as pressing three buttons and starting a conversation. And the best part is that as soon as the pandemic is largely under control, there’s nothing preventing you from meeting up with all of the people you’ve befriended online.

Look for new places to visit

Many teens today spend most of their time on their phones and computers, rarely going outside unless they are supposed to meet with friends or family. Because of this, newer generations don’t spend as much time learning about their local environment and often feel as though they’re living in a completely unknown location. Fortunately, the current circumstances have given everyone the perfect opportunity to open up some maps online, or even just look outside their window and familiarize themselves with their surroundings.

Look for new things to do in the future

As most people want to stay home following the mild resurgence of Covid cases in Beijing, not to mention school is starting soon, now is a perfect time to make plans for the future. One thing I would suggest is creating a detailed list of new experiences you want to try before next summer arrives and all the things you want to achieve between now and then.

Whether you want to visit a location here in Beijing, get better at something that interests you, or make long-term goals, being stuck at home affords you the opportunity to take a breath, and figure out what you really want to do. All it takes is a little creativity, and your stay-at-home can become more fun and productive than you ever would’ve imagined.

KEEP READING: Online Learning in a Lockdown

Images: Unsplash

I’m a planner. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Give me a goal, some paper, and a calendar and you’ll find yourself a happy gal. Planning things out gives me peace. It offers a false sense of control, of trust that if you merely take your checklist and move down it methodically, checking off each task as it happens, you will accomplish your goals and live a fulfilling life.

There’s a psychology to it that I cannot deny. I know that it’s up to me and any team members to make things happen, but I still don’t feel like tasks are real unless they are in front of me in black and white, usually encased in a grid of some sort. Moving to Beijing increased that need tenfold, as I require somewhere I can track where I’ve been, the fastest subway stop exit to get there, expenses in two different currencies, four family members’ schedules plus an ayi, and multiple blogs and tasks for beijingkids every week.

With all of this emotional baggage attached, you can imagine the choice of a planner is no small feat. So although I now very comfortably use a bullet journal, trust me when I say I’ve tried nearly every planner marketed to me on both sides of the world. In case you are now a few weeks into your new year and realizing you need more than your typical DayPlanner, (which I’ve also tried many times), then peruse my micro-reviews and find one you want to try!

Bullet Journal

Affectionately called BuJo by those in the know (or who want to feel cool), this is almost a make-you-own-planner template. The system was created by Ryder Carroll, a Brooklyn, New York product designer who discovered he needed a more methodical way to organize himself. It was not just about tracking the what but also the why of each task. In this way, he encourages people to live a more intentional life.

First, off, dispense yourself of the myth that if you use a Bullet Journal, you must be a calligrapher or artist. Although you’ll see the most extravagantly themed and drawn journals, I dropped all those expectations and just use one or two colors plus a highlighter.

The main reason why this is my favorite and more current method is that I can adjust my pages based on the kind of day/week/month I am going to have. When I went on vacation, I didn’t even map out the days; I just used that space to write, draw, and collect memories. Additionally, I don’t need to fit my plans into someone else’s template. If I need more space for plotting out a certain milestone I want to hit, I just take it.

Start here for Bullet Journal methodology and get your own dotted journal at any local bookstore or stationery shop.

Mother’s Journal for Inner Peace

Author and publisher Arielle Haughee knows I love planners and asked me to look at the advanced copy she has specifically for mothers. I’m pretty skeptical of anything marketed to mothers; I don’t need a planner full of grocery lists and recipes and playdates and clothes sizes. This one’s different, though. The minute I opened Haughee’s creation, I started answering all of the questions. The very first page asks who you are (besides a Mom), which is a great way to start. She also gives space for you to say which days and times you will take a moment to fill out her journal, a lovely step that made me consider just how much time I spend on my planner every week.

There are Mommy Mantras and places to write down your stressors for the upcoming week as well as when you’ll take breaks. She also adds her own encouragements along the way, one of the first I’ve found that doesn’t sound condescending.

Although this planner doesn’t work well for me as a scheduler, I will continue to use it to remind myself that yes, I am someone besides a Mom, someone who has her ups and downs, but who also needs space to put her recollections and thoughts on her domestic life in order to be the best mom she can. She also provides a Quarantine Journal for Sanity and Teacher’s Journal for Balance.

Available for order here. 

Passion Planner

Here is where my love of planners turned to obsession. Four years ago, when I started working full time from home while acting as primary caretaker to two children, I was desperate for a way to organize my work and my time so that I didn’t have to force myself to stay awake until 2am to meet deadlines.

Before you begin with any kind of calendar, you break your goals into tasks and time chunks. Each day, you write the “Gamechanger” for that 24 hours; if you do nothing else that day, you will accomplish this task or meet this goal. There are also spots for “Good things that happened” or “Grateful for” today, depending on which planner you receive. My absolute favorite part of this planner is the variety. I used the weekly layouts until schedules got too complicated, both the compact and full-sized versions. Last spring and summer, when nearly every day required all of my strength to move through with grace, I changed to the daily planner. Every day has its own page, and it allowed me to focus on what to do that would enrich my and my family’s life. Whether it was meal planning, work, e-learning, taking a walk, or calling a friend — each day was still a gift and I needed the full page to appreciate it.

Downloads available to try here or find the new app.

Woonscious Planners

Woonscious stands for Women Moon Conscious and was created by Catalina Del Castillo in Shanghai. She’s working towards biodegradable planners by 2022 with pineapple peels for covers, and 100% recycled paper and ring binders. Del Castillo combines planning and doodle books with an understanding of menstrual cycles for both productivity and mental balance. Her website says it can help women in three specific ways:

1. Understand your mental and emotional state of mind.
2. Understand how your physical and mental body can be connected to the moon.
3. Manage time and networks mindfully.

I should say that I am not a very “lunar” kind of person, so I approached her planner with some trepidation. Nevertheless, I used the examples on her website for a few days last week, and it fit quite nicely into what I need for the organizational part of my life while allowing space for reflection and connecting what I eat with my mental and physical well being. The planners come in half-year books, which might be enough time to really see how our bodies and minds are connected. And, bonus — you’re supporting an entrepreneur in China!

Scan QR code below for more information.

KEEP READING: What to Expect in The Year of The Metal Ox

Photos: Unsplash, product websites

We moms, we do it all. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, your job is never done and it’s completely safe to say that our job is a 24/7 one!

For mommies who would like to carve out some extra time to hang out with the kids, enjoy self-care time, or even cook with a glass of wine in your hand rather than a milk bottle and a baby on your hip, these productivity tips will help you not only work better and get more things done, but also live the mantra of the day – work hard and play even harder.

Learn to say “no”

I find this incredibly difficult and feel like if I’m not doing a thousand and one things than I’m not being the modern woman of today, who can exude and demonstrate almighty physical and mental capabilities to do it all and then some. This one is at the top of the list because that’s exactly where it belongs. It should be a priority for busy moms and dads. Your family comes first.

Saying no applies to a number of situations. This month alone, I have been invited out at least twice a week to socialize and several other times to join my husband on account of his own personal invitations. Social obligations, invitations, to extra time-consuming, and on occasion, soul-sucking projects calls for you to set clear boundaries. The husband or partner needs your attention, along with the kids, work, friends, family, and then usually your needs get left at the bottom of the pile.

Don’t feel obligated to say yes – say no and carve out some time and space for yourself. You’ll be surprised how much time you’ll free up.

Give your 100 percent focus

Moms (and dads) are painfully familiar with the need to multitask when you have a family. However, in order to get the most out of the time you spend on the plethora of items on your to-do list, learn to give 100 percent focus to whatever task you’re completing. This means that the likelihood of you having to return to unfinished tasks decreases, the quality of your commitment means that you churn out awesome results, and if dedicating time to kid and partner-focused activities, your family will feel that you are both mentally and physically present.

Do the hardest thing first

Don’t procrastinate. I used to be the champion of procrastination. Over the course of the past few years I’ve really been working on this and realize that the idea of addressing an incomplete task is a lot more overwhelming than the actual process of just doing it. Once you get started you’ll be amazed how easily and quickly you will be able to tick off items on your get-done list, especially when you apply the 100 percent rule above. Do the hardest thing on your list first and be amazed by how easy it can be and enjoy no longer having to face it.

Use countdown timers

This is one of my favorite hacks for being more productive, although admittedly I have failed to remain consistent with it (something else to add to my own personal productivity list), but much like we encourage kids to complete tasks by turning them into a game, we can do the same and speed up the process of getting things done! Boost your everyday productivity by keep track of your time, when cleaning the house, returning emails, writing that draft, or prepping that meal.

Prep Meals

Speaking of prepping meals, feeding the family with delicious and wholesome meals can take time. Prepping and pre-cooking meals for the entire week will help save at least half of that time. First thing to tackle is a weekly meal plan. I sat down with hubby and selected five of our favorite meals that are easy to shop ingredients for, and easy to prep. Make your weekly plan fun by incorporating weekly themes, such as Taco Tuesdays, Fajita Fridays, or Three-bean Thursdays. Prepare as much as possible and rope in the Ayi if you happen to have one. Cooking and freezing broths and grains, slicing and portioning veggies, searing meats, etc., can all help with productivity during the week and involves simply dishing out, heating up, and enjoying.

Finally. Let it go

No, I’m not quoting Disney’s Frozen– but the soundtrack instantly came to mind. Learn to let go. Allow me to draw upon the mantra given to when me when I was growing up: accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Stress less over the little details and think about the bigger picture – this is particularly a necessity for expats living in China who are acclimatizing to a new culture and way of life. There’s no such thing as perfection. Be imperfectly perfect and be you.

Photos: courtesy of Pixabay