Key ingredients to building a good routine with all the right direction to make it consistent and lasting...

A Routine is the mother of all ’To-Do Lists’

First, let's uncover some basic myths around the idea of a 'Routine’

The very thought around the word ‘Routine’ has always suggested itself to be super strict, serious, rigid, and orderly. We have got it all wrong, we fail to understand by ignoring and not asking ‘What is the real purpose of a routine?’. We miss this because we always jump ahead to focus on the action and forget the importance of preparedness toward the action. 

• A Routine is not about having rules, being strict, or orderly, it is the route to achieve and get things done with/in order.
• A Routine is never all and full about only work, tasks, and errands.
• A Routine should never fail because it is a perfect plan. (The is nothing perfect to achieve here, its all about getting back on track ASAP).
• It is so OK ?? to miss a Routine and once missed does not call for failure.

Did you know, a mid-week Pizza ??, a TGIF Ice Cream ??, a weekend wine??and dine??can also be a part of the routine ??.

Things to ponder ?? before we define the right ingredients:

Is it, only when tasks and schedules are written all over it is called a routine?

Absolutely wrong, it is a blank slate which offers to help us get prepared with razor-sharp focus/perspective, so we can take on the bigger tasks with greater energy.

When mundane tasks get done and are out of our head we are ready to take on the more challenging ones with zeal and zest.

Also, let us not underestimate the effort that goes into putting down the action items on the table. The habit of sitting down for 5 mins before at the desk, putting down the action items for the day is called a routine. This habit creation of sitting down at a particular time or for a period of time helps to build perspective which in-turn improves the clarity of thought. Here, the focus is on sitting down at the table and not about the content of items that need to go on paper.

A list of habits that gets framed around the day forms a routine. 

We live in a world of ever-changing needs and preferences which eventually needs a bit of shuffling around. However, how would we know unless this was not put down? Where is the base to work your way around the so-called ‘changing needs and preferences’. You would be lost, all over the place, confused, agitated, angry, annoyed…. the list would continue. The first step to avoid this state is to build that routine to sit down and put down the items. 

A routine, helps you put things on the table simply to get a better perspective of how to go on with the day solving/handling more important things. 

Let us put down all the items which we wish to accomplish during a typical day, and also pick the ones that are repetitive (mundane). You will be surprised to note, 70% of our task end up to be repetitive but the energy/effort we spend on them are phenomenal. This exercise is only intended to illustrate the purpose of understanding how to plan a good routine.

1. Waking Up
2. Brush
3. Coffee
4. Journalling
5. Fitness
6. Protein Shake
7. Shower
8. Meal Prep
9. Breakfast
10. Drop-off
11. Work plan/tasks
12. Pick-up 
13. Meal prep / Dinner / Dine Out
14. Relax / Unwind / Watch TV
15. End-of-Day Journal
16. Brush
17. Snooze - Call it a Day

It is fascinating to note, except for "Work" everything else is repetitive. We just have to focus on the preparedness to it and everything within the action will just fall in place. As most it is repetitive, we should just keep approaching it the same way every day. Over a period of time, this whole routine will become so fluid.

Now, there may be special days, that's OK, as you have trained yourself to stay focused you will eventually get back on track because you know what you will have to focus on.

Getting to know the items to be focused itself is a winning streak.

Many of us don’t know yet, where our focus and energy should be directed towards...

If you have come this far along with the article, you are ready to build your own recipe for lasting success… Congratulations!

Thank You for your time.

Happy Reading, and feel free to share and add your thoughts to the comments section.

Best, Balaji Venkataswamy ??