Your Fiercest Enemy? Routine
If you believe Sylvester Stallone, life's greatest challenges come when you are in a high-profile battle for glory. But Apollo Creed is a wimp compared to the toughest opponent you will ever face: Routine
The odds are pretty good that this week you will have to face at least one of these:
- long commute
- boring meetings
- filthy diapers
- petty arguments
- dull evening
That's Routine at work. It has no real power or intelligence. But it never quits.
Make no mistake, Routine has grit. Routine lives to fight another day. Routine never, ever stops trying to reduce you to merely average.
Routine has grit. Do you?
Some say - I'm often one of these people - that the beauty of life is in appreciating each day.
Others will argue that for many of us, Routine is a blessing. We have food, shelter, education, entertainment, and access to pretty much everything we need.
Yes, but... no matter what you do in life, Routine will show up. If you make a billion dollars, become CEO, or cure heart disease... you will still have to wrestle with Routine.
Routine is also what causes us to gain weight, lose muscle, and lose steam. It chips away at grand dreams. It can lead to complacency.
Just because Routine has grit doesn't mean that you can't exhibit even more grit.
When Routine drags energy out of you, take a few breaths and summon more energy.
When Routine leads you towards negative habits, look Routine in the eye and introduce him to yet another of your positive habits.
When Routine makes you angry or lethargic or depressed, have a few tricks in your bag that will once again lift your spirits.
There's no one secret to defeating Routine. It takes constant vigilance, a healthy dose of humor and inspiration, and immense amounts of resilience.
Bruce Kasanoff helps professionals like you find the right words to advance your career. Learn more at Kasanoff.com.
Healthcare Consulting l Healthcare Analytics l Digital Insights & Solutions | Customer Success | Client engagement
8 年Mindful repetition coupled with a creative approach towards the same task differently can kill the monotony associated with the repetition.
Author of "Speeding to Compassion: Life Lessons and Humor to the Highroad" | Online Yoga Classes
8 年Thank you for this article. From the bottom of my heart!
Mindset Alchemist. Preparing Your Business to Prosper Today & Tomorrow. Meatball maker, yes really.
8 年“The less routine the more life.' ~Amos Bronson Alcott For decades we've been told the brain is static. We're destined to routine, pattern, with 'that's just who I am,' habits. Hooey. Neuroscientists tell us the brain is malleable We can change it, neuroplasticity We can lessen a learning curve by watching another, mirror neurons 'Can't teach an old dog new tricks?' Hell yes you can. Thanks Bruce. All good things to you :)
Your Holistic Well-being is My Utmost Priority.
8 年Routine is basically the thread that creates the whole array of beauty and arrangement of our life's fashion and presentation. We truly are what we repeatedly do each day of our life. Thanks for this article!