We are what we repeatedly do.
You’ve heard it before, and you probably already have some routines in your life that work for you.
But when is the last time you analyzed your routines?
Lost Brain Power
The most successful people, from athletes to CEOs, rely heavily on their routines. Some stick to a morning routine to get their day started, some eat the same thing every day, and others wear the same shirt every day. These seemingly small routines allow people to eliminate a decision from their day – a decision that can take many people 10, 20, 30 minutes to make.
When you spend 20 minutes every day deciding what you want for lunch, for instance, you end up draining your brain power and decision making skills. I’m not saying you should eat – or wear – the same thing every day, but I encourage you to reflect on where you are losing brain power.
Ask yourself:
- What parts of the day do I feel most drained?
- What day-to-day decisions are taking up my time?
- What can I begin to automate, so that my attention can go to something more important?
Morning and Evening Routines
The two big routines people talk about most often are morning and evening routines. Morning routines allow you to take time for yourself and start your day with energy, and evening routines create space for you to wind down and prepare for the following day.
You may have been doing the same routine every day for months, or even years. Or perhaps, you’ve started to slack on certain parts of the routine.
Take time to analyze the routines you already have in place:
- Which routines are essential to my day (whether I like them or not)?
- Which routines do I enjoy the most?
- Which routines do I dread?
- What routines have I let slide?
- What have I been saying I want to start doing, but haven’t yet?
Once you’ve answered these questions, take time to write down your routines, making any adjustments needed.
The road to excellence is always under construction. Analyze what you’re doing in your routines, determine what needs to change, and go make it happen.