Create a routine that works for you, not against you.
No one is too busy to do what they actually prefer. Alan Cohen.
Has it been busy for you? Because it sure has been for me.
It seems like Autumn and the end of the year is when things start to really pick up. Apart from it being the start of so many celebrations and holidays (at least for our family), it’s also the perfect time to get into a good routine that works for you, not against you.
“Fall behind” is right around the corner, and I wanted to share a few routine tips for your daily life. Even though we gain an hour, we often feel like we’re the ones who fall behind and get even more busy. And busy is part of our culture now, a social norm which we easily accept and even use as an excuse.
We fill our calendars, to-do lists, and reminders; download all the apps to simplify our life; but instead of a fulfilling, satisfying life, you end up with a busy schedule and a jumbled mind. You feel cluttered, which makes you seem scattered and a bit all over the place. But there is power in having a routine.
There’s even MORE power in having an intentional routine that sets you up for success. A routine where you become less busy mentally and more confident daily. Where you get fresh outlooks and live intentionally.
No matter what you do, there will always be a drill you go through every day, despite its specifics. So, why not be intentional and make it the best? The power behind having a strategic and intentional routine is so that when success AND hardship comes, you’re able to use your reflexes that built up over time.
Here are a few tips on what you can do starting today.
- Turn off all electronics one hour before bed.
- During that hour, stimulate your brain muscles. Read, journal, reflect, do a puzzle, meditate, play a card game with someone, etc.
- Pick a bedtime, commit, and actually go to bed on time.
Intentional routines help you produce results.
Results boost your confidence.
Confidence steers your passion and purpose.
The more confidence you have, the clearer your purpose is, and the more passionate you’ll get! Instead of being run by your schedule or tasks, let those things run by you. By doing these 3 things consistently, you will create a routine that works for you, not against you.
I challenge you to do this for 21 days. If it doesn’t work, maybe you need to adjust what time you’re choosing to go to bed at, or maybe what you do the hour before you go to bed needs to change up. But if it does work, watch how it domino affects other areas of your life, like your morning routines and daily goals.
Create Daily Goals
Once you see how implementing these 3 things makes a positive impact on your life, take the next step, and create daily goals. Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, said, if you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes. So, along with your big-picture goals (like getting healthy, achieving this or that), create smaller daily goals which help steer your thoughts, liberate your energy, and inspire your hopes DAILY.
Your big dreams and aspirations are important, but what are the daily and weekly goals you can set? View these as steppingstones for your milestones. What can you do today that will help you get closer there? Write them out on sticky notes if you have to. Break them down into steps.
If you don’t know what kind of daily goal to have, set reading goals. This alone will stimulate your learnability and comprehension skills. As you train yourself to read X-number of books in 1 week, 1 month, or 1 year, you’ll be able to achieve your bigger goals boldly.
Setting daily goals will also help you prioritize your day differently. You’ll know what truly needs to get done and what can wait. Don’t let the “fall behind” time change make you fall behind. Get ahead of the game and start do those 3 things I mentioned at the beginning of this post 😉
Falling Behind Intentionally
After you’ve done this, no matter what comes your way, you’ll have a clear and decluttered mind. You’ll have put yourself closer to success, making life more fulfilling. You’ll have put yourself in a place of intentional thinking and living.
You’ll be better at what you do and in your relationships. You’ll feel clarity and confidence. You’ll enjoy taking risks and pursuing your goals. You’ll find purpose and intention in all that you do. And ultimately, you will have created a routine that works for you, not against you.
tanyaremkiv 
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