Introduction
This will be a short post explaining my experience with building routines and the pitfalls you have to try really hard to avoid. I will expose why I create my routines the way I do and how to maximize gains by effectively building routines from scratch and according to your own traits. We all have strengths and weaknesses and you need to understand these before you can build a routine to last. It takes hard work, dedication, and discipline to stick to a routine. But this is only possible when you make a routine that is actually practical for you and can utilize your strengths to the fullest. This post will detail how to build a routine to last and not just one for show.
1. The Importance of a Routine
After years of switching between routine and non-routine lifestyles, I have concluded that routines are essential for personal growth and success. In doing so, you truly take control of your life and it feels as though you are actually putting thought into what you are doing. Very often I found that when I didn’t have a routine, I would wonder where the time went and why I was doing things that I thought were either pointless or doing too much or too little of things. By implementing a routine, even a rough list of tasks to follow, you are spending time on things you are choosing to do instead of leaving everything uncertain. Take the example of when you go on holiday. Even on a spontaneous trip, you end up researching places to visit, restaurants to eat at, and activities that interest you. That’s a spontaneous holiday and you still find yourself planning things out. Why is this approach not taken in day-to-day life?
You have such a limited time on this earth and should be utilizing this time to pursue whatever interests you may have. I’m not saying plan every single moment or minute. But at the least have an intention with what you want to do with your time instead of idly letting time pass by. In this post I’m going to share exactly what I do, how I avoid creating terrible routines that won’t last, and how I adapt my routine for longevity.
Routines help in so many ways including:
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- Providing structure and reducing decision fatigue (You know exactly what you’re doing with your time).
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- Helping you in setting and achieving long-term goals (Over time it just makes it easier to build up to those more difficult goals).
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- Promoting better mental and physical health (You won’t forget to fit gym or physical activities into your routine or some meditation time).
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- Feeling productive and less stressed. (Things are getting done, you can’t complain)
2. Start Your Routine Simple
So the first thing I want to highlight is starting small with manageable changes. Don’t go crazy adding in 4 hours of revision or learning a new instrument for 2 hours a day. These things are unrealistic and will only lead to dissatisfaction on your end. Don’t try to be perfect, if you don’t manage to do something, make a note of it and move on. It’s all about building momentum rather than perfection. Try to add easy daily habits first such as morning stretches or a 5-minute meditation.
3. Key Elements of a Lasting Routine
To ensure your routine will last, you need to be consistent with these daily habits. Even if the time you do them varies, it’s about doing them no matter what. Even if it’s for a short time. Allocate time each day and block out that time for each activity. Focus on core areas such as health, work, learning, and relaxation as these things will benefit you much earlier on and will speak through their results. This last point is very key. Clearly define achievable milestones to track your progress moving forward. These have to be as realistic as possible. When trying to learn a specific programming language, I rapidly increased my learning time to 3 hours a day. It simply wasn’t possible and caused me to be dissatisfied each day I didn’t hit this target which led to me breaking my routine.
4. Tools and Techniques
Personally, I like to write with a pen and paper. But, it’s completely up to you as to your method. Utilise time-blocking techniques for better time management. Whether you use a per-hour approach or a task-based structure outlining how long you will dedicate to each task, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have easy access to it and will follow it as best as you can.
For my daily/weekly routines, I use a year diary with a week-to-view format in A4. This way I can plan each day week-by-week and have some space for notes at the end of the week. For my short-term and long-term goals, I use Notion (a productivity app like Trello or Todoist). See Notion below:
I find productivity apps like this are very useful and have some helpful AI features. There is a lot you can do with them but focus on what will benefit you in remaining productive. If you are someone who likes things displayed digitally then these are definitely the way to go.
5. Dealing with Setbacks
The one thing that without a doubt will hit you at some point is setbacks. They happen. Missing a day is not the end of the world. Just because you missed 1 day doesn’t mean it discredits all your hard work and all the weeks of work you put in. Place an emphasis on self-compassion and don’t be hard on yourself when a setback happens. These are the points when you are most vulnerable to giving up or thinking you’re not capable of continuing the routine. But in these situations, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Imagine you miss a day or two here and there over the course of a year. Does that mean the 350 days of work mean nothing because of these 15 days missed? No chance. You’ll be vastly improved and from that perspective, those 15 days seem like nothing.
6. Adjusting and Refining Your Routine
The only way you can learn how much you are capable of is by doing. Regularly review what’s working and what isn’t. If it’s impossible to hit the 1 hour mark of learning for that topic per day. That’s absolutely fine. It just means you haven’t reached that level yet and it’s something to work towards. Not to put yourself down for being unable to achieve currently. You must be open to changing or refining your routine as and when needed. There will be days when you just don’t get time or something comes up. In these instances, flexibility is required and you must adapt accordingly and not let this get to you.
Conclusion
Building a routine that lasts is about persistence, not perfection. Remember, the key is to start small, stay consistent, and make gradual adjustments as needed. Whether you’re aiming for personal growth, improved productivity, or simply a more balanced life, the power of routine can help you get there.
One crucial part of maintaining your routine is recognizing your achievements along the way. Reward yourself for sticking to it, no matter how small the progress might seem. These rewards don’t have to be extravagant—a favorite treat, an episode of your favorite show, or some well-deserved downtime can serve as positive reinforcement. Celebrating your wins keeps you motivated and helps you associate your routine with satisfaction and progress.
So, take that first step today. Establishing a lasting routine may take time, but by staying committed, adjusting when necessary, and rewarding yourself for the effort, you’ll find yourself closer to the life you want to live. Every small step counts—keep going!
Your Routine Will Benefit From Reading My Other Post:
I have another post that you should understand when building your routine. It will help to identify if you are over-diversifying your time. This is something very important that you must consider when trying to learn new things. See here: Signs You’re Over-diversifying Your Time And How To Fix It
