Routines
Your morning sets up the success of your day. So many people wake up and immediately check text messages, emails, and social media. I use my first hour awake for my morning routine of breakfast and meditation to prepare myself. Caroline Ghosn, Business woman
Routines are a collection of habits or actions you do on a regular basis to bring order to your day.
They can include such things as such as checking your email and then writing your day’s to-do list as a way of getting the day started.
Why follow a daily routine? An effective routine can help reduce stress. This can lead to better mental health, more time to relax and less anxiety. Routines like your sleep schedule and bedtime habits affect your mental sharpness, emotional well-being and energy.
In a 2019 article by Jory Mackay. He listed 21 routines to make yourself more productive. These are:
1. Give yourself more time by waking up earlier
3. Set your most important tasks for the day
4. Connect with your bigger goals by journaling
5. Meditate to prepare for whatever the day brings
Essential workday habits
6. Skip email first thing in the morning
7. Tackle something difficult when your energy is highest
8. Schedule and take more breaks
9. “Batch” similar work together
10. Set hard limits on certain activities
11. Schedule your email and IM time
12. Use Getting Things Done (GTD) to build a habit of staying organized
13. Reflect on your accomplishments and write down 3 good things that happened
14. Make space for mental solitude
16. Prepare for tomorrow with a ‘shutdown ritual’
17. Turn off your devices at least 30 minutes before bed
Optimization of your energy and health
20. Drink more water during the day
21. Exercise regularly
“A daily routine built on good habits and disciplines separates the most successful among us from everyone else.” Darren Hardy, Media business man
Each of us has our own routine. Even married couples have their own ways of doing things. We fit in what works for us and makes us comfortable. That is why a change in our routine, even if very slight can cause a major disruption to us,
There is nothing wrong with having a routine.
It causes us to do things that are needed without necessarily having to think about them. But there are also things we do as a routine which either may not be good for us or cause a problem for other people.
These could include things such as the following:
- Eating late at night.
- Not getting enough exercise.
- Skimping on sleep.
- Eating too much sodium.
- Choosing foods because they “Sound Healthy”
- Always eating lunch at your desk.
If such is the case, we should rethink what our routine should be and make adjustments where needed.
Having a daily routine and regular habits supports cognitive function and can free us up to be more creative. Research has found that having regular work processes allows us to spend less mental energy on recurring tasks, which can support our focus and creativity for more complex tasks.
Regular routines can also help us to feel like we have control over our daily lives and that we can take positive steps in managing our health. For example, exercising within routines can help meet our recommended daily activity levels. This is especially relevant since research shows that people who reduced their activity levels during the pandemic are now experiencing enduring health effects.
Regular routines can also go beyond the streamlining of daily tasks and add some spice to life. A health-promoting activity like walking can offer chances to enjoy nature, explore new places and socialize. Activities like sports, games, fine arts and music can be fulfilling and reinforcing. Regular participation in meaningful and engaging activities can also contribute positively to our mental health.
“What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.” Gretchen Rubin, Author
Having a routine helps keep us on track both mentally and physically, which can help make our days more positive and productive. According to Mental Health America, a routine is a tool used to improve mental health by organizing the overwhelming everyday tasks into a pattern that seems easier to accomplish.
Routines can help us study better, work more efficiently, and have greater control over our lives. But planning out every moment of every day is overdoing it. To avoid this, build a daily routine around certain goals and block out time during the day to work on these goals. It will help you immensely and you will be better for it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter H. Christian was a founding partner and president of espi, a business consulting firm in Northeastern PA. Previously he was an Executive at Crayola Corporation. He has worked with 300+ clients in business development, profit improvement, operations, IS selection and implementation, and Project Management. He has 40+ years of experience in strategic and facility planning, CI, lean, and supply chain. He has helped companies to realize millions of dollars in cost reductions and profit improvements adding and retaining thousands of jobs. He has authored the Amazon bestselling business books, “What About the Vermin Problem?” and “Influences and Influencers” (4 out of 4 star review on Online Bookclub) which are highlighted in his profile. He is also published in a variety of professional magazines. He is most appreciative of Dr. Rodney Ridley, Donald Schalk and Gaetan Gianinni of Alvernia University for their support in allowing him to teach Project Management at the University.
