Millions of Americans claim to be "morning people." They wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, excited to take on the challenges of the day with a peppy and positive demeanor. The rest of us face the waking hours with a little less enthusiasm, and depend on our morning rituals, like coffee, toast, or the newspaper, to ease us into the rest of the day. Sadly, there never seems to be enough time to truly enjoy these routines before the ticking clock reminds us of our obligations and responsibilities.

Fortunately, there are ways to save time in the morning so that you can slow down and collect your thoughts for the day to come. Here are some great morning tips:

• Choose clothes the night before.
  Try taking a few minutes each night to prepare in advance. Choose your clothes, and check your calendar to organize anything else you'll need.
  
• Prepare breakfast in advance.
  Starting out with a light, nutritious breakfast will give you energy for the day. Try making extra minutes for breakfast by using time savers like filling the coffee maker and setting the table the night before and keeping pre-sliced fruit in the fridge. Any extra time you can find will help you maintain a calm and relaxed feeling in the morning.
  
• Take some personal time.
  Use the time you save to do something special for yourself. Read the newspaper, go for a walk, or simply enjoy some quiet time.
  
• Expect the unexpected.
  Be sure to leave a buffer of time to take care of anything that comes up unexpectedly.
  
• Have a place for important items.
  To avoid last minute scrambles, always keep important items like your keys, wallet and purse in a specific place. This way, you'll make it out the door without rushing, and even have time to stop and appreciate the scenery.