Routine!
“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” — John C. Maxwell.
They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Is there something in your daily life that is not working for you? Is your life organised? Do you have a daily routine?
When I mention the word routine, I am sure one of the things that popped into your head was snore…
But did you know that according to research, 92% of productive people follow a planned morning routine. Spending 10-12 minutes planning your day can cut time wastage down by two hours. To top this off, you will have less decision fatigue (the fatigue that comes from making decisions constantly) and will be able to save mental energy because 40-50% of our decisions are out of habit.
Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash
So yes, a daily routine is important.
What are the elements of an effective routine?
The first thing is to begin your day with a mindful activity. This keeps you grounded and present and sets the tone for you to start the day with purpose. When you are present, your work improves and you have the time to gather your thoughts.
The second element of an effective routine is to incorporate physical activity into your routine, like cardio or yoga. A fit you is a happy you. Start small, even if you just exercise for 10 minutes.
Thirdly, prioritise and plan. You can do this before you go to bed, for example, or in the morning. This way you are clear about you goals and don’t waste time.
Maybe you are reading this, and you have a routine and yet don’t seem to be able to stop time wastage. Review your routine. Maybe just one element of your daily routine needs tweaking. You also have to acknowledge that life happens sometimes.
So, is there anything else that is important for a lasting daily routine?
Absolutely!
- Be consistent and try to make your routine a habit.
- Be flexible, for those times for when life does happen.
- Be balanced- over weekends, for example, include your rest time. Some people prefer not to have a routine over weekends and that’s okay too.
- If you are struggling, work one moment at a time and tick each moment off.
- Mastering your daily routine will take time but it can be done.
The bottom line is that your routine needs to work for you, not you for the routine. Because you are a unique individual, the way that you work, rest, exercise and set goals is unique to you and that is okay. The routine is a safety net/ a tool to provide a bit of shelter from life’s busyness.
They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. With a daily routine, you can do something different to get a successful result. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.
Reference:
Strivastava, M. 2023. 3 Key Elements of an Effective Morning Routine. https://medium.com/@msrivastava0603/3-key-elements-of-an-effective-morning-routine-61d2fe586d8e
Compiled by: Tanja Werle