It happens to the best of us. We put our heads down, push through each day, let ourselves settle into a certain kind of rut, and before we know it we’re restless and weary and can’t figure out how we got there. It’s important to keep in mind that being uncomfortable with the status quo is okay and is often a good thing. If you’re feeling this way, making some key routine changes could offer the variety you didn’t even know you were looking for in your life.
Yes, routines can undoubtedly be effective for increasing your productivity and approaching your day with some strategy. But, there comes a point when your desire to stick with the predictable manages to only get in your way.
Here are 7 signs that your daily routines need to be disrupted and some tips on how to get started and out of that rut.
1. You can't longer remember the value
Routines are great for guaranteeing a certain level of predictability. But there are some things in life that simply can’t be predicted. If you can no longer see the value in what you’re doing, that’s typically a telltale sign that you’re doing it out of habit, rather than necessity
2. You are more concern with the routine than the results.
You created your routine so it could help you achieve something. For example you probably started that workout routine because you wanted to lose weight or gain muscle definition. Or you started your morning routine because you wanted feel more energized during the day or move your business forward. If you are more concerned with the mechanics of your routine and making sure you don't skip any step or component of it over the goal that inspirited your routine, is probably time to rethink your routine.
3. You dread your current routine and you feel heavy going into it.
Be careful with this one. At the beginning of trying to implement a new routine you might feel like this and that is totally normal. You might dread your routine here and there after having installed it, that is not what I am referring to here. What I am taking about is you constantly dreading your routine. If you feel like this, it might be time to revisit and shake up that routine.
4. You lose your cool when things change
Do you ever feel you lose your cool if your routine doesn't go perfectly as designed? If someone or something interrupts you in the middle of your routine, or something happens that prevents you form doing your routine at the usual time? Do you feel like if something like that happens your day takes a negative turn? Of course this can happen once in a while, life is not perfect! but if this becomes an usual thing, it might be a sign that you need to re-evaluate your routine.
5. Your creativity is not what it used to be
Routines not only can help you increase your productivity but they can also help fuel your creativity. My morning routine for examples helps me get in the right head space to develop new content for my podcast and blog. Over time if you feel that your creativity is suffering it might be also a sign that you have become a creature of your habits and you need to disrupt your routine.
6. You are in a different season in our life
Maybe you started a new job, or you are a brand new parent, or you just started a new project or school since you installed your routine. The routine that served you well on the previous season of your life might not be the right routine to support you now.
7. You recognize you are not using your energy wisely
There are times of day we are more productive, where we are able to focus better or be more creative. When designing our routines this is something I always recommend keeping in mind, so we can maximize our energy and leverage it to help us make progress. If you feel that is no longer the case, it might be time to adjust your routines so you can align your energy levels to the activities that need most of your energy.
So how to go about changing your routines?
1. Get Real
Envision your perfectly productive daily routine — but be realistic. Your ‘perfect day’ must account for your current circumstances and capacity. Think about the season of your life you are in, and your current priorities as well as your current challenges to identify what is that you need in your routines.
2. Learn more about Forming Good Habits
Routines are not other thing than habits. When trying to implement a new routine or modify your existing routines it's important you leverage habit forming techniques to help you in that process. Here are a few of my favorite books around habits that you might find helpful:
Read, research, plan ahead but don't get stuck here, at the end of the day, the only way to make change is to take action, which brings me to the last step.
3. Take Small Steps
As I said, none of your research and self-reflection will be helpful unless you take action, but when it comes to taking action make sure you walk before you try to run. Take one small step at a time. Think about what is the first step you can take right now to disrupt your routine and do it!
Finally, is important to realize that routines while powerful are not forever. The routines that work for you today, might stop working tomorrow. It doesn't mean you are doing something wrong, is just the way it work. Keep an open mind, check in with yourself on a regular basis to evaluate your routines and make adjustment as needed. Your routines are there to serve you, not the other way around.
