It shouldn't come as any surprise that when you get into good routines your productivity, efficiency and mood can improve dramatically. Good routines cause good habits and good habits ultimately make you feel better, and give a sense of purpose.
Getting into good routines are actually not hard to do, all you really need to do is focus on what you want and make sure you prioritise that over other things to make it possible. They require dedication and commitment in the first stages, but after a while routines become habits that you want to keep up because they offer a benefit, whether it's getting into a good sleeping pattern, going to the gym, or how you spend time at the weekends.
I know personally that when I fall out of good routines it becomes a slippery slope into a bit of a free for all, and can mean that I start throwing the baby out with the bath water for want of a better phrase. It doesn't breed good habits and I end up becoming rather unproductive, which is never ideal.
For me, the best routine is fitness related as that's something I'm passionate about and I do completely by myself so there is nobody else to motivate me to do it, and it has a knock on impact on several other bits in my life, from what time I go to bed, what I can do in the evenings etc. It's not always easy but it's certainly worth it. The routine I'm working to at the moment means that I go to the gym twice after work and three times before work during a five day week, and then if I want to, I go for a run on the weekends, but I don't pressure myself as my weekends are when I allow myself to have the most fun, let my hair down and make up for the fact that I usually have an early bed time during the week.
It's a routine I've been able to stick to for a couple of months now and it's had such a positive impact on my life, I'm really enjoying it. So much so I don't really even think about it anymore, I just know what I have to do when and get on with it almost autonomously.
If you was to get into a good routine, regardless of what it's for, there are several things you need to consider.
1. It takes time
Sticking to a routine requires dedication as I've said and it does not happen over night, you really need to apply yourself and focus, nobody said this stuff was easy!
2. Try different routines out until you find one that works for you
For routines to become habits they need to fit with your lifestyle, you can't force yourself to do something that doesn't fit as it won't last, try different routines out over a few weeks and see what sticks.
3. Consider what you need a routine for
There's no point in having a routine and not know why you're doing it. Is it because you're always really tired so you're trying to sort out your sleeping pattern, so your routine is all geared around that, or is it fitness or food related? Whatever it is, just be clear as to what you're trying to achieve and don't loose sight of that focus.
4. Commit to it
Especially at the start of trying to initiate a routine you really need to commit to it. No talking yourself out of it, or letting yourself have a day off for no reason, choosing to go to the pub instead of the gym. Nope. You want to achieve something, you need to commit to it until it becomes habit and you want to do it rather than not do it. Once you're there, you can do other things and bend some rules, because you'll have the commitment to do what needs to be done regardless and know how it impacts your lifestyle.
5. Focus on the benefits and enjoy it
Routines become habits and help motivate you and make you more productive because that's what you want. If you don't want that, don't bother, but if you do remember it's a choice and you should enjoy it. It's not a punishment to go to bed early if that's what you want to do, celebrate it, get excited about it and enjoy it. Remember and recognise the feeling of having a good nights sleep, and how productive and happy you are as a result, or when you do a good workout, or whatever it is. Notice these improvements, give yourself a pat on the back and repeat it as necessary to make it a habit!
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