Schedules and Routines

Routines and schedules, schedules and routines. Our days are dictated by them, some more so than others, our work generally has a routine and a schedule to it. If we have children, our taxi services align with their schedules and somehow fits into ours. We have routines we carry out every day, before work and after, dinner times and weekends. I used to be of the mindset where I didn’t want too many routines or scheduled events, I liked the randomness of life, the ebb and flow, going wherever the winds took me. There is an alure to living like that, to be sure, but I’ve also found out how powerful schedules and routines can be in helping us achieve our goals. Now, I’m not saying that we should pack our schedules as full as we can. On the contrary, we should always seek to leave room open so that we can let some randomness into our lives, to have some flexibility, and space to breathe in. If we work our schedule right, we can leave time for the important things that we want to accomplish outside of work, ensuring that there is ample free time in which to dedicate ourselves to these goals.

This is where routines come into play. In that free time in our schedules, we should seek to set up routines to follow. If we set up routines, it helps keep us honest about accomplishing our goals during that time and allows us more mental capacity to devote to it as we aren’t struggling to find the time to fit the work in. Its about setting our mind to a routine and following through. Its about having the discipline to make a habit of it and keep sticking to the routine even on those days when it is a little more difficult and we really don’t want to. For example, this past spring/early summer, I made the decision (after being inspired by a friend) to get back to writing a book I started years ago. I wondered how I would fit it in, but after looking at my routine, I saw where I had wasted time that was unproductive and decided to take that time and utilize it more wisely. So my writing takes place in the early morning between 3:45 and 5:00. I made this part of my routine and over 3 months later, even on those days where I want to sleep in, I get up and at least write a few words, most of the time it is at least around a page. Slow, but steady. Then I needed to figure out how I was going to fit in writing my blog on a daily basis and decided to carve out a window every afternoon to write it for the next day. Its not always easy, but I set my mind to it and somehow have been disciplined enough to follow through so far. Its about routines and sticking to them.

We have the ultimate control over our days and how we live them. Do we want to waste time staring at our phone or watching TV while life passes us by? I’d rather not. I may never publish my book, but I will finish it. Next task for me will be to find time to dedicate to finishing projects around the house, some of which are 90% done. Once I find the optimal time for that task, I will make that part of my routine and stick to it. I actually find that now that I have a more productive routine, I am less stressed during the day. Things always come up, but that’s where flexibility comes in and the wherewithal to pivot and change as need be, as long as we get back into our routine after the interruption. I am more content with a routine because I know I am chipping away at my goals and that one day, as long as I stick to it, they will be accomplished. So what’s your routine? Do you have one that could use tweaking to make it more productive? What can you change that will decrease the stress in your life and increase the happiness? Decide to do something, make it part of your routine, and follow through; you’ll thank yourself later for doing it.