Power of Routines
A few weeks ago I was working on a new project with my business partner. As we outlined the project, we fell into a discussion of the need for hobbies and strict routines designed to inspire our creativity. I have to be honest I was more than a bit shocked that my business partner, a laid-back, go-with-the-flow creative person, was advocating for routines. You see, the reason our working relationship and friendship works so well is because we are almost complete opposites. We are both strong, independent, intelligent, opinionated women. We are both passionate about our work, losing ourselves in projects and investing all of ourselves into everything we work on.
Where we differ is in the structure of our lives. I thrive in structure, strict routines, deadlines, to-do lists, and plans. I always have a plan, and a backup plan, and a backup backup plan. I can pivot on a dime, refocus, fly by the seat of my pants, and make things up as I go along. I am definitely the more outgoing of the pair and tend to speak before I think. I start my days early, with time for meditation, working out, and chores. My business partner is far more in tune with the rhythms of life. She seamlessly flows with each season, prioritizing sleep and time with her children. She is able to forget her plans, and wholly invest herself in the needs of the day. She loves her children, makes them a top priority, creating moments and memories daily. Yet she always meets her deadlines.
As she spoke about the need for strict routines, I listened. An advocate of creating the ideal day for yourself, she works hard to set boundaries to make sure she is not overworked and has balance. Strict routines for the morning, evening, bedtime, and mundane tasks allow you to free yourself from stress and worry, to focus on the moment and what needs to get done. This process creates more space in your brain, allowing for creativity to take hold, blossom, and drive your projects. As she finished explaining, I saw the genius of the thought. Routines are freeing, they allow us to mentally check out, meditate, ponder on life and challenges. They are perhaps the greatest secret of life.
Since this conversation, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what my ideal day and routines would look like. I can tell you, I am a morning person, I love to get up early and accomplish a lot before 9 am, yet I hate leaving my house before 9 or having a meeting before 10. I enjoy quiet evenings, taking time to read before going to sleep. Focusing on creating the ideal day for me, the optimal conditions under which I operate, and structuring the beginning and endings of my day appeals in ways I cannot tell you. Being in charge of my time, of ensuring I have the time and opportunity to do what I need to do for a successful day has allowed me to be more creative.
Working through my routines, testing what works and what doesn’t work, I have found my thoughts wandering. Suddenly, I have time to think about my day, to reflect on decisions made, learn from mistakes and failures, and grow. It is not as hard to find my creativity, to see challenges from multiple angles, to process what I want to write and the message I am trying to convey. My sleep is better, and my dogs are happier. Strict routines have opened up time for belly rubs, chases, walks, and cuddles. Decompressing throughout the day with my dogs helps me maintain my energy levels and focus, allows me to step away for a minute and just breathe. I know, it sounds very unnatural, yet being with my dogs calms my soul and quiets my mind. Being with people does the exact opposite, stealing my breath from me.
As you think about what your ideal day would look like, ask yourself what you need to be successful, what a successful day would look like. Think about how to balance your personal life with your work life. Ask yourself what unmet needs you have and how you can meet them through a structured routine. Reflect on what you need to feel at your best, do you need to schedule mealtimes, plan how you will hydrate, work a 10-minute walk into your day? Could you schedule a time to check in with your significant other during the day? Could you plan a routine where you pick your children up, take a break with them, and then return to work while they do homework? What would make you the most focused?
Listen to your body and what it needs. As you begin to structure your day and create routines, be prepared to change them, learn from them, and continually adjust your days until you find what works for you. Ask your family for feedback. Track your productivity and successes for the day, learn from them, don’t focus on failures. Recognize bad days, and learn they are just going to happen, the best we can do is learn and grow. Find yourself and what you want, create the routines to empower and fuel your dreams.
Sincerely,
Sara O.
