Do you have routines in your days? Having a routine for your day helps keep you on track and organized. When you don’t have a plan for your day, it can cause you to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Routines allow you to do more of what matters most to you and less of what doesn’t. In this article, I will talk about the benefits of having a routine and how to build one so your days feel happier and more productive.
WHY ARE ROUTINES IMPORTANT?
Routines are important because they add structure to our days. Having a structured way of doing specific tasks can reduce overwhelm, stress, and decision fatigue. In addition, routines can allow you to make more time in your day and focus on what matters most. Sometimes we go through our days, and time gets away from us. Routines can prevent the feeling of time from getting away from you because they can help you sort out your priorities.
BENEFITS OF A ROUTINE
Several benefits can come with having a routine for your day. For example, routines can increase your productivity. When you have a routine for your day, you can get more work done because you are much more organized and prepared for the day. Also, routines allow you to create time for what matters most to you. Whether it is spending more time with yourself or with others, routines allow you to create time in your day for more of what you want to do. Also, routines help us to sleep better. A morning routine and an evening routine can positively affect the way you sleep and wake up. Lastly, routines can give you a sense of accomplishment. Every day is different from the one before, so it’s not always easy to do your routines, but on the days that you accomplish your routines, you feel happier and more positive.
HOW TO BUILD A ROUTINE
When building a routine, the routine should be unique to you. No two people are the same, so no two routines should be the same. It’s easy to get tempted to copy someone else’s routine. When I’ve tried to copy someone else’s routine, it typically does not last. In his book Built Through Courage, author Dave Hollis talks about five conditions every routine should meet that is unique to you.
CONSISTENCY
Is the routine something that you can do every day? If you want your routine to be something you can do every day, then it is better to start small if you aren’t used to having a routine.
ATTAINABLE
Similar to consistency, your routine should be something you can do easily, so it’s best not to add too many activities to one routine. I, like many others, have made this mistake, and it is a sure way to quit before you barely even start.
SERVES THE VISION OF WHO YOU ARE BECOMING
“Relevance is what keeps your routine more important than your excuses” – Dave Hollis. Your routine should align with your values and your “WHY.” Knowing your “WHY” and your values will help you stick to your routine when it gets challenging to keep going.
FLEXIBILITY
Every day is a new day, so your routine isn’t always the same as the day before. It’s essential to realize this and give yourself the space and grace not to get it all done.
SIMPLICITY
Routines are habits that we perform every day. In his book, values and your “Atomic Habits, the third rule of behavior change that James Clear talks about is making it easy. He also states that “the less energy a habit requires, the more likely it is to occur. It is crucial to make your good habits so easy that you’ll do them even when you don’t feel like it.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
Routines are essential to keep our days structured and organized while reducing overwhelm and stress. We can get swamped, making it seem like time is just flying by. When you have a good routine in place, you can make time for what is most important to you. Structure to your days also gives you a sense of control and balance. Make sure that whatever routine you build is personalized to you. It’s okay to get ideas for other people, but don’t be afraid to make the routine fit your lifestyle.
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