The Power of a Routine
Do you have a routine?
Even if it’s not a strict or long routine, it’s proven that routines can have incredible health benefits — not only do they help with increasing productivity and manage stress, but can promote a healthier lifestyle in general. There’s no one-size-fits-all for routines and there’s also no specific time of day that these have to take place!
Over the years, I’ve developed a morning routine (because I’ve discovered I’m most productive in the mornings), but it’s ever-changing with the day, season, and location.
I make my routine fun and into something that serves me each day and it’s important you do that too! Now, take a peek into my days:
What is your routine? Do you do it everyday?
My routine honestly changes with each season, the environment, and even the day itself. It’s important that I’m not holding myself to a routine that doesn’t serve me anymore and I’m constantly learning and evolving in my routine to learn what works for me.
It also doesn’t have to be a morning routine! Mine happens to be as I’m most productive in the mornings before 2:00PM according to my chronotype (take your test here).
Each night, I always get a full 8 hours, if not more, sleep each night. As soon as I wake up, I start my routine and repeat:
Wake up and I sometimes look at my phone and sometimes I don’t! I’m just looking for quick updates.
I get ready for the day. Unless I’m sick, I get fully dressed and accessorized cause it makes me feel good & ready to conquer the day.
Eat breakfast. I’m a habitual breakfast eater, so I always fit this into my morning! But, I always do pre-ready items like overnight oats of quickly blending a smoothie so that it only takes a few minutes of my morning!
Coffee! Depending on the situation I’m in (where I’m at, how much time I have, etc.), I will either make some coffee or grab a quick cup from a local coffee shop. This is a must have.
Prep the top 3-5 priorities for the day. Based on the day before, I always sit down to prepare my top 3-5 priorities of things I must get done that day and add it to a physical, written checklist. Anything else will get sidelined for later in the week. Having a clear list of priorities helps me to stay on top of things and be productive throughout the day. Plus, there’s nothing better than being able to cross something off a checklist!
Check meetings & schedule for the day. My Google Calendar is my savior and the way I plan out my day, work, and time-spread between tasks and clients. Each morning, I check my schedule for the day to confirm meetings and set aside work blocks and “focus time” to get those priorities done. I never have meetings right away in the morning.
Listen to a podcast. I like to stay informed on what’s happening in the world, so I usually like to start my work day by listening to Up First, The Daily, or Today, Explained. I don’t have coworkers, so this is how I stay informed on news I otherwise wouldn’t hear!
Get to work! I’m the most productive in the mornings before 2:00PM, so I try to be at my desk by 7:30AM and get sh*t done.
Workout. Once I’m off work around 6:30PM, I always try to make it to a workout class. This helps me keep active and of course wind down for the night.
Hobby time & bed. After working out, we have dinner, and then it’s “hobby time,” where I relax, play video games (ahem, the best: Animal Crossing), or read a book! I’m a professional cozy hobbyist ;)
What would you say are the benefits, to you, of having a routine?
We do so much everyday, so it’s good to have a little bit of structure to know how you are spending your time. There’s a study that shows 40% of what we do are habitual, whether we know it or not, so we might as well make sure they’re good ones that benefit us right?
It’s so important to make time for your physical, mental and emotional health so that we don’t get overworked. Having these habits help you to have a clear purpose for your day and gives you clarity as well that you’re focused on the right thing.
For me, having this routine & following good habits that benefit my life (physical, mental and emotionally) in my personal and work life gives me a good feeling that I’m doing something beneficial plus practicing good discipline.
How long did it take you to establish your routine?
It’s ever-changing — there’s really no magic number.
Not every single habit I introduce will stick, but my routine changes every season anyways.
For me, it probably takes about a month or longer for me to have a habit stay and become habitual. It’s so easy to start something but hard to maintain it — don’t give up though!
What are some building blocks to consider if someone is thinking of creating a morning routine?
Start small and start habits one by one. Start with something like drinking a full glass of water in the morning, or checking your bank account daily.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to start a grand routine just because someone else has one that works for them. No two people can have the same routine, so try to compare or even compete on heavy routines or specific habits that may not actually work or serve YOU.
Remember, routines are NOT a one-size-fits-all. Try something that you want to try and see if it makes sense for your life and if it sticks.
Lastly, have a checklist! This will help to solidify your routine and habits even further since it can take a while for habits to really settle in. I used to use this app called Routinery, but decided I prefer pen & paper as being on my phone became another distraction I didn’t want — do what works for you!
Routines can change and that’s not a bad thing! What is something you want to do differently in your routine?
Not check my email right away. Each morning, I have to resist the urge to constantly be checking my email or Slack. In today’s world of technology, I feel like we are all addicted to urgency, and I have to change the way we operate in order to instill healthier habits!
What does your routine look like? What is something you’ve discovered about your routine that helps your day-to-day productivity?
