The Beauty of Routine

I wake up in the morning at 4:30am. I throw on some gym clothes, catch the 5:10 Red Line bus to downtown, and get in a 45-minute workout by 6:30. I head to my office at 7:00 and make a little breakfast. While eating, I read my two essential publications permanently saved in my Google Chrome bookmarks toolbar: a daily devotional from Bible.com, and the latest news from pro wrestling blog Cageside Seats. I catch up on my typically-overflowing inbox and plan my priorities for the day.

This is my routine. It's nothing complicated, nothing glamorous. It's consistent and trustworthy. It gets my mind right for the challenges that lay ahead. And perhaps most importantly, it works for me.

There's a certain beauty in things that can be accomplished before the randomness of a day sets in. My boss introduced me to a speech that captures the essence of this philosophy. U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven follows a simple credo: if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. Small accomplishments lead to bigger and bigger things, but you need to start at square one.

Routines are uniquely yours. No one else does exactly what you do, nor do they need exactly what you need. Only you can decide what makes the most sense for you.

Listen, I'm not an expert on any of this, but I understand the way my routine positively affects my life. There are numerous professionals who can help you figure out what your greatest needs are (I'd suggest the incomparable Erica Ballard if you need a recommendation).

I'm far from perfect, but I like to think that by the simple accomplishment of a morning routine, I've given myself the best chance to succeed that day. I hope you'll consider the things you need in your life and the simple routines that can help you find clarity in a jumbled world.