The Power (or rut) of Routines!

By: Ryan DuBois

The Power of Routines

Routines are powerful tools for setting us up for success. They instill discipline and prepare us to tackle the challenges ahead. However, if we are not careful, some routines can become ruts that hold us back.

How do we strike the right balance?

How do we ensure our routines are propelling us forward rather than anchoring us in place?

Insights from Jesse Itzler

In his book "Living with a SEAL," Jesse Itzler shares his journey of inviting Navy SEAL David Goggins to live with him for 30 days. Itzler, despite his success in running multiple businesses and his dedication to extreme workout routines, found himself stuck in a rut. He writes,

"I realized that even though I was successful, I was just going through the motions. I needed a mental shake-up to push myself beyond my limits."

Itzler's experience with Goggins was transformative. He states,

"Having Goggins around was more of a mental exercise than a physical one. It was about breaking the mental barriers and pushing beyond my comfort zone."

Reevaluate Your Routines

To avoid falling into a rut, we must regularly reevaluate our routines.

Ask yourself:

• What boxes are you checking?
• Do they still serve and empower you?
• Or are you just going through the motions?

As James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits," notes,

"The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game. True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking. It's not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement."

Shake Up Your Morning Routine

Consider your current routine. Does it look something like this?

• Wake up
• Watch the news (Or Instagram/ FB these days...)
• Eat breakfast (If you want to call it that)
• Shower
• Drive to work (Did you remember to brush your teeth?)
• Listen to the radio
• Don't talk to many people on your way to your office
• Read and respond to emails
• Eat a snack
• Attend meetings
• More emails
• Lunch... maybe
• You get the point...

If this sounds familiar, it might be time to shake things up. Use Jesse Itzler's experience as motivation.

Even if you are successful, what are you doing to push to the next level? As Itzler says,

"Routine can be the enemy of time. It makes us settle for the status quo rather than striving for excellence."

Robin Sharma, in his book "The 5 AM Club," emphasizes the power of shaking up routines. He writes,

"Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end."

Mapping Your Day

Evaluate your day step by step:

• What are some things you need to stop doing?
• What should you continue doing?
• What should you start doing?

Align Your Routines with Your Goals

Consider how your routines align with your goals in various areas:

• Physically
• Mentally
• Spiritually
• Career-wise
• Financially
• Family
• Hobbies
• Dreams

As Stephen R. Covey, author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," said,

"The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."

Accountability

Accountability is crucial. Who do you share your routines with? Who do you tell about your goals and pursuits? How often do they check in with you? Are you holding others accountable?

Itzler emphasizes,

"Having someone to push you and hold you accountable is vital. It’s what kept me going, even when I wanted to quit."

Embrace Adaptability

Jesse Itzler’s experience with David Goggins also highlights the importance of adaptability.

In the grand arena of 'Living with a SEAL,' Jesse Itzler isn’t just adapting; he’s doing a dance with chaos. Goggins, the maestro of unpredictability, turns every training session into a symphony of the unexpected. Itzler’s crash course in adaptability isn’t just about mastering workouts; it’s a metaphor for navigating life’s unpredictable twists and turns.

Embracing adaptability means welcoming change and seeing every disruption as an opportunity to grow.

Integrate Mindfulness

Mindfulness is another key element in making your routines more effective. As Cal Newport, author of "Deep Work," states,

"Efforts to deepen your focus will struggle if you don’t simultaneously wean your mind from a dependence on distraction."

Integrating mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or even mindful walking can help you stay present and fully engage with your routines.

Action Steps

1. Post Your Goals and Routines: Make them visible and let others hold you accountable.
2. Experiment and Innovate: Add different elements to your routine. This could include reducing phone time, taking a class, reading a book, following an inspirational figure, listening to a podcast, or switching your music for an audiobook.
3. Encourage Accountability Partners: Push each other to greatness.

If your routine is pushing you to new levels, great!

Promote it, talk about it, and inspire others along the way.

Remember, routines are tools for growth, not constraints. Let’s embrace the power of routines and push ourselves to new heights!

I'm fired up and going to take my routines to the next level, and I hope that you are too.

Are you ready to break free from the rut and reach your full potential?

Let’s work together to refine your routines and achieve your goals.

Reach out to me today to start your journey toward excellence.

Together, we can push each other to greatness.

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!

Committed to You, Committed to Excellence,

Coach Ryan DuBois

P.S. Please take the time to follow Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely for more inspiration!

What an inspirational family!

Additional quotes dug up to support our newsletter that I thought were worth sharing:

• "The mind is the battleground. It’s the place where the strongest battles are fought." - Jesse Itzler
• "Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life." - Susan David, "Emotional Agility."
• "Greatness comes from the consistency of effort over time." - James Clear, "Atomic Habits."
• "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein.