How to Break Out of Your Routine

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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Ever feel like your days are becoming carbon copies of each other? You get up, go to work (at home or in the office), eat dinner, go to bed and then do it all over again.?

So BORING!

I know. It happens to me too. So I made a checklist to break myself out of monotony.

And now I’m sharing it with you. Here’s five ways to change up your routine.

1) Break your routine.?

Try something different. Anything!?

Take an alternate way to work. Eat something new for lunch. Read a newspaper you would never ordinarily pick up.?

We are creatures of habit. But if you change up one thing in your day, you will feel refreshed.

2) Create a no cell phone zone.?

I do this whenever I walk into a park near my apartment on my way to the subway in the morning. When I walk through the gates I make a point to put down my cell phone and enjoy my surroundings.? I learned this from The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin .?

Really take in the sounds, the smells and the colors around you. Just taking a few minutes to unplug and engage in the world around you is empowering.??

And you never know what you might see…I found a squirrel doing yoga one day.

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Looking for more ways to evaluate your habits and add to your happiness and productivity? Join me and Gretchen Rubin in the replay of our LinkedIn Live event "Resetting Our Habits in the Future of Work."

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3) Catch up on something you love.?

Read a few chapters of a book you’ve been wanting to finish. Pick up your guitar and sing a few songs. Write thank you notes and really craft meaningful messages.?

Any of these tasks, or others you love will pull you out of your mundane day.

4) Surprise someone.?

Sometimes you’ll feel better about your day when you make someone else’s day better.?

Stop by your significant other’s office with a cupcake. Or call a friend you’ve lost touch with.??

Simple acts of kindness can really boost your mood and get you out of a funk. (For ideas check out my article Six Free Ways to Make Someone's Day ).

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Want more lists to help you accomplish your personal and professional goals? Join me for my LinkedIn Learning course "The Power of Lists to Get Stuff Done."

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5) Find inspiration.

Journal about your thoughts. Make a gratitude list . Keep a collection of inspiring quotes. Think about activities you’d like to pursue. Or things you’d like to accomplish.

Not every day can be the best day ever. But you can make yourself happy every day. And make each day count.?

So the next time you feel like you’ve been living in the movie Groundhog’s Day, try something on this list and shake things up!

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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