Creating an effective routine sounds simple in theory, as you just have to decide what to do and when to do it. However, when it comes to sticking to a routine, most people stumble. After the initial phase of excitement, most routines often fade because people lose that motivation. The key to sticking to a routine isn’t motivation but consistency and creating a routine that fits you and your lifestyle.
When you are able to create a solid routine, it doesn’t feel like a burden; instead, it becomes your second nature that keeps your day balanced, productive, and predictable. Let us discuss how you can create a routine that sticks and lasts beyond the initial phase of motivation and excitement.
Start Small and Build Gradually
When trying to create a routine, you should start small and build gradually, opening it up. Most people make the mistake of trying to overhaul their entire life in a single day, which is overwhelming and unsustainable. You should start with one or two small habits and build upon those habits. For instance, waking up early for the morning prayer times, doing exercise for 30 minutes each, etc.
Once these habits become natural for you, layer on new habits upon these. Gradual progression will allow your brain and body to adapt easily, reducing resistance and overwhelm.
Define Clear and Specific Goals
To create an effective routine, you should define the goals that you intend to achieve from it. Vague goals like “be more productive” or “get healthy” won’t give a proper direction to your mind. So instead of setting vague goals, you should define what you intend to achieve in measurable terms, such as “walking 10,000 steps daily” or “studying for 2 hours each day”. When your goals are clear and specific, your routine gets structured and you know what to do and when to do it.
Align Your Routine With Your Natural Energy Levels
A routine will only stick if it aligns with your natural energy levels, which is why there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to routines. Everyone has different peak hours when they are most focused and energetic. Some people thrive early in the morning, some hit their stride in the evening, while others are most productive at night. Instead of fighting your natural rhythm, you should work along with it and design a routine around it.
Schedule mentally demanding tasks, like deep work and studying, during your peak-energy hours and leave lighter tasks like checking your city’s (New Delhi) local prayer times or running errands for when your energy dips. This will make your routine more effective and allow you to get the most out of it.
Use Time Blocks
One of the biggest enemies of consistency is unstructured time. You should avoid having unstructured time in your schedule and instead, use time blocking to assign specific hours for particular tasks to bring clarity to your day. Time blocking will prevent procrastination and also help your brain associate certain times with specific actions, such as 7 – 8 AM for morning workout, 9 – 11 AM for focused work, 1 – 2 PM for lunch and walk, etc.
Make It Enjoyable
To make your routine stick, you should make it enjoyable so that it does not feel like a punishment. The best routines are the ones that include things you enjoy. If your daily routine only has a list of chores, it will not last, as it will overwhelm and burn you out. Try incorporating enjoyable elements or small rewards into your routine. When your routine consists of things that you find enjoyable, it will become easy for your mind and body to stick to it.