Face it, setting the kitchen clock 15 minutes fast isn’t fooling anyone. Instead, try these reader tips to get your act together in the a.m.

Separate problem clothes. “I get dressed for work in minutes because nothing goes into my closet unless it’s ready to wear. If it needs ironing or has a spit-up stain or loose hem, it goes into a basket for a weekend fix.” —Leslie Fortunato

Tap your task basket. “I stock a bin with hairbrush, sunscreen, daily medications and other get-ready things at my fingertips so searching for them doesn’t trip me up.” —Amy Lester

Use a bulletin board. “I have a checklist on a bulletin board that I read to my kids to make sure we all have what we need.”—Nancy Earlywine