How To Develop Good Routines In Your Life

Daily routines work best when they fit the ebb and flow of your energy levels throughout the day. Ask yourself, “What time(s) of the day do I have the most energy?” That's when you should focus on your most difficult and draining tasks. Then ask yourself, “What time(s) of the day do I have the least amount of energy?”That's when you should focus on taking breaks, relaxing and rejuvenating yourself. All great routines are built around when we should take a step forward vs. when we should take a step back. If you can find a balance that works for you, then you’ll become more productive, less stressed, and more successful overall in what you accomplish.My first recommendation to everyone is to create a complete list of their daily routine (from “Wake up” → “Go to sleep”). Then reflect on that routine and identify how your energy fluctuates throughout the day.

Contributors: Steven Handel from The Emotion Machine

Use Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping Meditation) to access the process of super learning to push the record button on the subconscious mind to fully reprogram your mind with new healthy habits.

Contributors: Deborah Lucero from Live Your Full Life

You need a lot of support when you introduce a new routine into your life. Recruit yourself first.  Be as kind to yourself as you are to your friends. Every time you practice your new task, tell yourself you did a good job. Say it out loud and call yourself by name.  Great job, Sandy. You are amazing!  Feel free to be as exuberant as you'd like - clap or do a happy dance if you so desire.  The sky's the limit. Then treat yourself to something inexpensive or free.  Celebrate your accomplishment by taking a ten minute break, eating one piece of chocolate, playing a computer game, or doing whatever it takes to reward yourself.

Contributors: Sandy Paluzzi from Johns Hopkins University

Remember repetition is one of the four ways you can change your programs, according to Dr. Bruce Lipton. Also, it takes 66 days on average for people to acquire a new habit, according to the Professor Jane Wardle’s research study at University College London.

Contributors: Deborah Lucero from Live Your Full Life

Charles Duhigg explains, There are three parts to a habit, known as the habit loop. A cue is a trigger that tells your brain to automatically run the routine. The routine is a behavior (physical, mental, or emotional) that follows the cue. The reward is a positive incentive that tells your brain the routine is working great, so it is worth keeping. This allows the subconscious mind to run our programs. If you can observe what the cue and reward are, you can change the routine! But you must be conscious! In other words, what cues or triggers their habitual behavior. This is the first step if you want to reverse a habit.

Contributors: Deborah Lucero from Live Your Full Life

Focus on one new routine at a time and give yourself a check mark (or better yet - a sticker) each day that you complete it. Seeing this chain is a real motivator for keeping it going. I've meditated on-and-off for years, but a few months ago I started giving myself check marks. Now, if I haven't meditated by the end of the day, I'mpretty inspired to follow through.

Contributors: Maryna Shkvorets from Maryna Shkvorets Consulting

Choose a small reward you will give yourself for completing a routine for seven days. It doesn't have to be big. When I committed to a morning routine of journaling and meditation, I rewarded myself with a relaxing evening off. Then, when I did it for a month straight,  I rewarded myself with a nice long sauna at the gym.

Contributors: Maryna Shkvorets from Maryna Shkvorets Consulting

Routines become habits and good habits become who we are.  The subconscious loves repetition so when something is working, do it more.  Did you feel accomplished when you woke up early last week?  Did time seem to stand still when you gave yourself more time to complete a task (ex. takes 30 mins to drive to work so allow 45 mins).  

Highly successful people allow themselves flexibility to pivot and make speedy adjustments to what works as opposed to complaining or becoming stuck in what doesn't.  Daily routines that stay flexible and quick to pivot when encountering opportunities turns a successful day into a routine.  The worst things, in your mind, you have to do?  

Do first.  You have the energy from having rested, you have stamina from the morning, the perfect time to upload the chores you dread.  Set a routine time each day to spend 30 mins doing what you like to do.  Wanting to flip through a hobby magazine?  Enjoy sitting with coffee and the paper?  Like spending time with your pet?  Allowing 30 mins for pure enjoyment is an instant recharge.

Contributors: Kimberly Friedmutter from Life Management Consultation

On average, it takes approximately two months to form a new habit or routine, so the sooner you start the better. A great way to form a new routine is to place a wall calendar in your office or a place you will see every day. Remind yourself of the new routine that you have set for yourself by crossing off each day that you have been successful. If possible, start your new routine in the morning so your day will be off to an encouraging start. Activities like exercise, meditation, and reading are great ways to start off the day.

Contributors: Beth Shankle Anderson from The Style Bouquet