Day 4: Creating a Launch Pad

Part of easing the routine of heading out in the mornings involves being able to find what you need to leave with in the first place. A Launch Pad (also known as a Landing Strip) is a simple solution for keeping yourself organized when you come home from a long day and need to leave early in the morning. A Launch Pad is simply one area where you can hang your coat, drop your keys and set your bag, and the Launch Pad is ideally located by the door you use to exit/enter the house normally, whether that’s the front main entrance or a back garage entrance. The important part is to make a space where you can “stage” your comings and goings, then create a habit by using it daily so you train yourself to place the items there. A Launch Pad could be as simple as a key hook and a spot to toss your bag and coat, or a larger area with cubbies or hooks for each member of the family. The important part is really just finding a convenient space for you to drop your things when you get home and make a habit of using it. In the evening, you can place items you need to take with you, such as library books, your son’s school bag, sports or gym bags, even a note to remind yourself to grab your lunch from the fridge. In the morning, you’ll know exactly where your keys are, you can grab everything you need for the day from one spot, and you can get out the door on time, without hassle.

“There’s nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” ~Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

Because of the layout of our home, we have a couple of Launch Pad areas. The main Launch Pad is arranged with a shoe shelf and a kid-height coat rack for placing their jackets. My older son keeps his karate belt on the shelf so we can find it as we head to martial arts class, and I typically stack his uniform there as well. On top of the shelf, I keep a large basket for baseball caps, winter hats and mittens, and I keep my purse next to the basket. There's an outlet here too, which will make charging a cell phone easy, but since we still have one small kiddo, I prefer not to plug items in here yet. This area is right next to our stairs, which acts as a seat for the kids to sit and put their shoes on. There’s also plenty of room to drop backpacks and sports bags out of the foot traffic so we don’t forget anything as we head out the door. My husband often leaves his work bag in this Launch Pad area as well since it’s got plenty of bag space. Around the corner, right by the garage entry, we have an adult-size coat rack hanging on the wall opposite a wall-mounted key board for placing car keys. My husband has a separate landing pad spot on the kitchen bar (out of kid reach!) where he places his keys, spare change, watch and Bluetooth headset every day as he walks in from the office.

For smoother, less chaotic mornings, practice the habit of placing important items on the Launch Pad when you walk in the door, and make sure that everything is in its place on the Launch Pad before going to bed at night. 

Tomorrow: Morning and Evening Routines

This post is part of the Fresh Start Series, 31 days of tips and tricks to simplify in the new year.