PPC Management
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Oversleeping? Snap out of it!!
A recent graduate of Harvard University, Lauren currently works full-time as a Marketing Associate in the Consumer Products Division at L’Oreal USA. Having spent 4 years as a Social Anthropology major (no, she didn’t study bones and fossils; it’s the study of people and cultures) and a lifetime as someone with entrepreneurial tendencies (at age 7, Lauren was selling her parents possessions, unbeknownst to them, for $1 a piece out in front of her driveway), Lauren decided it was time to put her knowledge of people, her ability to quickly build a rapport with others and her knack for business to good use.
We’ve all been there…
Maybe you forgot to set your clock. Maybe you set it, but you weren’t paying close enough attention and that wretched little dot was in the PM position. Maybe it actually went off… and in your sleepy stupor, desperate and wincing, all you could think about was clicking it back off.
Being late – particularly, being late AND looking like you’re late because you just woke up – is one of the worst impressions you can make with customers, clients, interviewers, and the like. If you’re armed with some quick tricks of the trade, oversleeping doesn’t necessarily mean you actually have to BE late or look like you just got out of bed…
Taking the following actions will get you out of the door in 15 minutes (or less) and, more importantly, could save you from personal and professional embarrassment.
- Turn the lights on, turn the radio up, and leave the TV off. Darkness and silence will only make you want to crawl back into bed. The TV has a mystical, unparalleled power — far too many mornings it has captivated me, one pant leg on, staring and dumbfounded, and I’ve forgotten for a solid 3-5 minutes that I’m actually supposed to be getting ready.
- As you get ready, sing or talk loudly to yourself to warm up your vocal chords and get your voice back to its normal pitch faster. You may think this is silly, but better to sound crazy in private; you’ll sound even crazier if your voice still sounds like James Earl Jones/Mufasa when you encounter other people.
- Look at your clock. Commit yourself to 15 minutes. If your clock says 7:23, you have until 7:38 to be ready to leave. Make it a game. No one likes a loser. Go.
- Foregoing brushing your teeth is simply not an option. Okay, fine. It’s an option, but it’s really, really gross. Take 2 minutes to brush. While brushing, think about exactly what you’re going to wear. What’s clean? What doesn’t need ironing? Where are your shoes? Try to avoid items with a lot of buttons and zippers. Don’t forget about those vocal chords; don’t sing – you might choke – but keep humming.
- Foregoing a shower IS an option. If you’ve showered relatively recently (within the last 24 hours) and haven’t done anything super strenuous since, spritz your hair with some water to reactivate the product you put in it yesterday. Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT put additional product in your hair – you’ll end up with flakes or a greasy look. If you absolutely have to take a shower, limit it to 5 minutes. NOTE: If you’ve been out partying and you smell like liquor, do not skip the shower; no amount of perfume/cologne will mask what’s oozing out of those pores.
- Wet a washcloth with warm to hot water and hold it onto your face for 30 seconds. Inhale and exhale deeply through your nose several times to clear your sinuses and increase the blood-flow to your face. This is an important step that will help to take away the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters face a little faster.
- If you woke up with any sleep lines or creases (from your pillow, hand, remote, etc), spend a minute gently massaging them with facial moisturizer. If you or someone you live with owns wrinkle cream or under-eye cream, these work best.
- Once you put on the outfit you identified while you brushed (this should take 5 minutes at most), a quick look in the mirror should be the very last step before you head out. If you’re anything like me, looking in the mirror too early in the get-ready process might result in you forgetting what you’re doing and posing naked and clothed in front of the mirror for extended periods of time. This is really not the morning for “Blue Steel.”
Other tips:
- Visine. It really does get the red out.
- Know ahead of time what your easiest outfits are. In fact, mentally or literally make a list right now. What pants slip on the easiest? What sweater pulls on quickly without mussing up your hair or making you feel like you’re trying to push through some sort of crazy birth canal?
- Save yourself the trouble of ironing by hanging wrinkly clothes in the bathroom while you shower (the steam will help to loosen wrinkles) or tossing them in the dryer for 5 minutes while you’re doing something else (many machines have a de-wrinkle setting).
- For makeup wearers, a little mascara and some lip gloss go a long way. Press the mascara wand close to your lashes and gently move it side to side to get an eyeliner-like effect without the lengthy application process.
35 Comments
Lorren Biffin said on March 18, 2008
Great first post, Lauren!
All I have to say is, where was this article when I was first getting in the game? I can’t remember anything more hilarious about my first few job interviews than running around my house in the AM looking like I don’t know my head from my feet because I woke up late. :P
Justin Nowak said on March 18, 2008
Refreshing topic, and one we can all use!
I have always been a prepared person, so I am up and ready way before I need to be. Impressions are a huge thing, and when in front of someone important I don’t want to look like a dork!
Eric said on March 18, 2008
Great article Lauren! We could all use a few pointers here, it happens to everyone!
Lauren Westbrook said on March 18, 2008
Thanks, guys!! I’m glad you like the article and I’m incredibly excited to be on board — whoo hoo! :)
Wilhelm Murdoch said on March 18, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this article. Thanks, Lauren!
Obligatory: OMG a girl on the internet?!?!
Andrea said on March 18, 2008
Very true. Funny too. Great article!!!
Look forward to reading more in the future…
Justin Nowak said on March 18, 2008
And I want to comment that hanging your clothes in the bathroom while you shower really does get the wrinkles out!
Allison said on March 18, 2008
Thanks for the tips! I am a big fan of doing things the night before so that when I wake up all I have to do is brush and go.
Dion said on March 18, 2008
A different spin on a corporate topic, awesome job!!
However, every morning is the morning for “Blue Steel” :p
kelvin r. said on March 18, 2008
great article with invaluable tips. fifteen minutes sounds like a lot of time especially during the summer months when items of clothing should be less. any seasonal/summer tips?
val b said on March 18, 2008
This is a REALLY great article with some fabulous tips. I’m almost tempted to oversleep on purpose, just so I can try a few of them!
Joey Pomerenke said on March 19, 2008
Uhmmmm … Where’s the coffee?? :)
Wilhelm Murdoch said on March 19, 2008
Oh yeah, and if you’re a guy running late in the morning, shave. ALWAYS shave. Unless you’re Eric and you don’t grow facial hair yet.
Lauren Westbrook said on March 19, 2008
Joey, coffee/caffeine is crucial! Thanks for mentioning that! For “I’m running late” mornings, I like to keep the following on hand: packets of instant coffee (Nescafe and Folgers both have pretty extensive lines), cans of Enviga (caffeinated green tea drink), and chocolate covered Espresso beans.
If you don’t have anything at home or feel like you absolutely have to stop at a coffee shop, order a shot (or two) of Espresso; not having to wait for the barista to add milk/syrup/etc. that fancier drinks require can save several minutes.
The caffeine database at http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/ is a useful tool for determining which products give you the most energy bang for you buck!
Also, Kelvin, during summer months, as temperatures begin to rise, taking a shower will usually be in order. If 15 minutes is ample time for you to get ready, extra time can simply be devoted to a longer shower, or greater attention to the little details (moisturizer, accessories, perfume/cologne). A lightweight cardigan or blazer (as opposed to a jacket/coat), a (work-appropriate) dress or skirt (it’s okay to forego pantyhose during the summer!) and tinted moisturizer (with SPF) are great, quick summer options. Somehow, no matter the season, 15 minutes in the morning usually seem to fly by for me!
Avin Kline said on March 19, 2008
Great post.
As an entrepreneur who sets his own schedule, sometimes I find it hard to even get out of bed. I want to, but since I don’t have to, I find myself sleeping 30-60 minutes later than I intended.
Any suggestions?
Wilhelm Murdoch said on March 19, 2008
Yeah. Do what I do. I have a full time job and I still want to sleep in, so I wound up having 2 alarms go off. The first one is next to my bed. The second is in the kitchen and it goes off 5 minutes later. This forces me to get up and take a walk to shut the damn thing off.
By the time I get there I’m like, “Well, I’m out of bed. Might as well take a shower now.”
Then I cry while I clean myself. :(
*
Avin Kline said on March 19, 2008
Good call Wilhelm.
Lauren Westbrook said on March 19, 2008
Absolutely, Avin. I know exactly how that goes.
Here are some pieces of advice: 1) Regardless of whether you actually have something to do, wake up and go to bed at the same exact times every day. Developing a set routine makes it easier to get up and easier to fall asleep. Often, once you’ve gotten into this habit, your body will become so accustomed to waking up at a particular time, that you’ll start to wake up without even needing/hearing the alarm. NOTE: I heard once that if you do something for 3 weeks straight it becomes ingrained in your internal memory. Try creating a quick morning routine (eg: wake up at 8, check and respond to email at appx 8:15, eat breakfast at appx 8:30, etc) and then stick with it for 21 days. 2) Get in the habit of scheduling meetings/appointments/tasks/errands as early in the day as possible. I force myself to go to the gym every morning (okay, almost every morning), for one hour, starting at 7am — 1, because I am a junk-food-loving masochist, and 2, because I know that once I get my workout out of the way, I have the whole day ahead of me to accomplish everything else. 3) Set two alarms, and put at least one of them far away enough that you have to get up to cut it off. 4) If sleep is as much of a pleasurable experience for you as it is for me, do what I do and schedule in weekly sleeping-in days to treat yourself. Designate weekend mornings (or two other days in a week, if you usually have appointments/committments on weekends) for sleeping in, BUT — and this is an important but — set a limit. If you usually get up at 7, on your sleep-in days, set your alarms for 10. I am not kidding when I tell you that I slept until 5pm once, on a Sunday, and I almost cried when I woke up and discovered that although I hadn’t missed any important committments, I’d lost a whole weekend day. It was wreckless!
Lauren Westbrook said on March 19, 2008
Didn’t even see Wilhelm’s post — great minds think alike (re: 2 alarms)! And LOL @ “I cry while I clean myself .”
betty b said on March 19, 2008
Lauren,
Thank you for the info I will most likely use each and every one of your great tips .
Dex said on March 20, 2008
Well written and good tips Lauren!
Avin Kline said on March 20, 2008
Great call Lauren. That’s great stuff.
Eric said on March 20, 2008
All this commentary is great and all…but why is my facial hair (or apparent lack there of) being brought into it?
Damn you Wilhelm, damn you.
Wilhelm Murdoch said on March 20, 2008
Ninjas, they’re everywhere.
Monaica Ledell said on March 22, 2008
Yes, Lauren - Thank you!
Now, I use to suffer from sleeping-in-isms and running-late-and-showing, but then I started to make a few minor adjustments and EVERYTHING changed.
Fast Tips & Tricks to Changing Your Morning:
1. START THE NIGHT BEFORE: All of the most successful people plan their day the night before. If you MUST get up early and be out the door, be responsible and lay out your clothes, shoes, etc. the night before (just like mom used to…)
2. TIME-BLOCK your week: If you don’t know what this is, seriously google it right now. It will change your life.
3. GO TO BED EARLIER (a no-brainer and NO TV - it’s really useless and interferes with your sleep patterns)
4. GET A SOOTHING ALARM CLOCK: I have a really fancy alarm clock that begins waking me with aroma therapy, tones, bird sounds, waves, and slowly lights up over a 1/2 hr. period. It brings me out of a deep sleep in to wake naturally.
5. GO TO THE GYM IN THE AM: I used to have trouble getting out of bed before 10am…then I felt guilty, rushed around and stressed all day. NOW, I’m at the gym every day by 6:30. I just really start my morning right, my vocal cords are naturally warmed up (along with the rest of me) and I have ADDED energy all day long…plus, working out regularly helps you sleep better.
Eric said on March 23, 2008
@Monica - A link to your alarm clock, please :)
Monica O'Brien said on March 24, 2008
Lauren, I’m a little late jumping on the bandwagon but I’ve just now had a few minutes to read your post. It’s fantastic. Welcome to the YGG team!
Justin Nowak said on March 24, 2008
Yea I would also like a link to your alarm clock. The shrill tones of my blackberry in the morning just don’t cut it.
cohnsey said on April 7, 2008
For guys, you gotta grow a beard. It will save you time in the morning and you will appear more educated. well you may end up looking like an english teacher.
Tim said on April 7, 2008
I remember running through town in a suit and over coat to meet a client who arrived late, I was still sweating buckets when he turned up. Sometimes its better to take things easy.
Kristen Fischer said on April 21, 2008
Such a great post-I had a few oversleeps when working for the man and now that I work solo I’m up everyday by 8. But yes, lipgloss does help to REVIVE!
Steven Clough said on April 23, 2008
Great post Lauren!
Disciplining yourself into an efficient routine is HUGE. If you’re a young entrepreneur (a successful one anyways) you better get used to late nights and early mornings! These are some great tips.
Monica, I couldn’t agree more. Work out in the morning and you’ll feel energized all day! I’d also recommend a large class of water in the AM (not caffeine). Try to ween off the Starbucks. Staying hydrated will keep you far more energized all day than caffeine drinks!
WishR said on April 30, 2008
Amazing post Lauren. Won’t be able to make much use of the Other Tips. :D
But love the first one.
Pardon the twittevanglism, but are you on Twitter yet ?
Jamie said on May 18, 2008
This is something that REALLY troubles me of late, I stay up until stupid o’ clock working online, only to fail miserably at the sound of the alarm clock… dang… I must set 2 tomorrow, lol..thanks for the hints…
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