Keeping the Routine
When it comes to keeping a routine and staying on track you need to have some sort of plan. Depending on who you are it can be a detailed excel spreadsheet with minute by minute break downs, or it could be a simple list to keep you on task. Here are some ways that I have seen working well for people.
Forest to Trees:
It can be an overwhelming process but once you know what is important to you it’s a lot easier to put things into focus. One way is by starting the Macro view of things and then scaling it down. Start with the things that you would like to get accomplished this month. Have a realistic starting point and work your way down. Now from that month what could you accomplish this week? Then from that week what can you accomplish today?
Totem Pole:
What things are at the top of your list? When you look at the month what things need to be taken care of immediately? Make sure those are given the proper attention early and often. There could be a lot of undue stress when you neglect or procrastinate time sensitive things.
Coordinate a rating system or a list with the most important things at the top, so you can keep them in sight and in mind. It’ll make it a lot easier to then put them from month to week to day.
Revolving Door:
There could be tasks that need to be taken care of every day. Whether that is your training, walk with the family, or sleep routines. Picking one task to cast you into that habit loop can be important. Whether it’s starting the coffee, making your bed, or 10 minutes of morning meditation, it can be very beneficial to anchor your day and routine on something you will always do everyday no matter what over and over again.
Projection:
Using the list can be helpful for a starting point here but then so can meditation. Take a moment to visualize the day. From start to finish. What does it look like and what are you hoping to accomplish. Go through fast forwarded play of the move of your day. What would you have to do to be happy and proud of yourself for it? What tasks need to be done so your day feels complete? Then break it down step by step and use that as your visual map to your day.
Be honest with yourself and open about your priorities and wants so you can plan them appropriately. We all know how cruel we can be to our past selves but just remember you can’t blame yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know. You are always capable of making changes and doing things differently in the future.
