How to Create a Routine That Sticks
Creating a routine can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself. A routine provides structure and helps you stay focused on your objectives. However, it’s important to remember that creating a routine requires discipline and perseverance. In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide that will help you establish a routine that works for you. We’ll start by identifying your objectives and then move on to setting up a schedule that will help you achieve those objectives. We’ll also provide tips on how to stay motivated and overcome any obstacles that may arise. By the end of this post, you’ll have all the tools you need to create a routine that not only sticks but also helps you achieve your objectives. So, let’s get started!
Step 1: Identify Your Objectives
The first step in creating an effective routine is identifying your priorities. This involves assessing all the tasks you need to complete across different areas of your life and determining what is important to you. You may want to ask yourself questions such as, “What do I want to accomplish in my personal life?” or “What are my aspirations for my career?” By answering these questions, you can gain a better understanding of what you want to achieve and what actions you need to take to get there.
After identifying your priorities, you can develop a routine that is tailored to your specific needs. For example, if you want to improve your physical fitness, you may want to include a regular exercise routine in your schedule. If you’re looking to advance your career, you may want to set aside time each day for professional development or networking. This is detailed below:
| Objective | Routine Task |
|---|---|
| Physical Fitness | Regular exercise routine |
| Career Advancement | Set aside time each day for professional development or networking |
It’s important to include both short-term and long-term objectives in your routine. While long-term goals may seem daunting, they can provide a sense of purpose and direction. Short-term goals can help you stay motivated and focused on the present.
Step 2: Brainstorm All Routine Tasks
In addition to identifying your objectives, it is important to consider mundane routine tasks such as grocery shopping, paying bills, or doing laundry. By categorising tasks and aligning routines with different areas of your life – such as work, health, relationships, and personal growth – you can ensure that nothing falls through the cracks and that you stay on top of all your responsibilities. Here are some examples of common tasks that most people have to do:
| Area of Life | Example Tasks |
|---|---|
| Home/Family | Make your bed, do the dishes, tidy up your home, meal planning, grocery shopping, cleaning your home, review finances, reorganise and declutter your home, clean and organise storage areas, deep clean your home |
| Work | Check emails, prioritise tasks, take breaks throughout the day, set priorities for the week, review progress, schedule meetings, review performance, attend a training or conference, update your resume and LinkedIn profile, set new career goals and explore new job opportunities |
| Health | Exercise, meditate, eat nutritious meals, plan workouts and meal prep, review progress and set new health priorities, take a weekend off to rest and recharge, take a vacation to explore new healthy activities or destinations |
| Personal Growth | Read, write, learn something new, attend a workshop, join a club, take a course, reflect on progress and set new personal goals, volunteer or give back to your community, travel to a new place or experience a new culture, set longer-term personal goals and create a plan to achieve them |
Remember, these are just examples and you can adjust them to fit your individual needs and goals.
Step 3: Organise Your Routine Tasks
Once you have completed the first two steps of creating a routine, which are identifying your priorities and brainstorming all routine tasks, the next step is to organise them based on their frequency. This step is crucial in ensuring that the routine you create is sustainable and effective. By organising your routine tasks based on how often they need to be done, you can create a schedule that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. For instance, tasks that need to be done daily, such as exercising or meditating, can be included in your daily routine, while those that need to be done weekly, such as grocery shopping or cleaning your home, can be included in your weekly routine. Similarly, tasks that need to be done monthly, quarterly, biannually, or annually can be included in their respective routines. By organising your routine tasks in this way, you can ensure that you stay on top of all your responsibilities and achieve the outcomes that you desire. Here is an example list:
| Area of Life | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | Quarterly | Bi Annually | Annually |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home/ Family | Make bed, do dishes, tidy up | Meal planning, grocery shopping, cleaning | Review finances | Reorganise and declutter home | Clean and organise storage areas | Deep clean home |
| Work | Check emails, prioritise tasks, take breaks | Set priorities, review progress, schedule meetings | Review performance, update resume | Attend a training or conference | Set career goals | |
| Health | Exercise, meditate, eat nutritious meals | Plan workouts and meal prep, review progress and set health priorities | Take a vacation to explore new healthy activities or destinations | |||
| Personal Growth | Read, write, learn something new, reflect on progress and set new personal goals | Attend a workshop, join a club, take a course, volunteer or give back to your community | Travel to a new place or experience a new culture | Set longer-term personal goals and create a plan to achieve them |
Step 4: Schedule Routine Tasks
Once you have identified your priorities and made lists based on frequency, it’s time to schedule your routines. Schedule blocks of time for your activities or tasks according to what makes sense for you. For example, if you prefer to exercise first thing in the morning, schedule it at that time (for me, this is 4 am for 30 minutes). If you would rather have your food shopping delivered on a Wednesday afternoon when nobody is home, schedule it for that time. It’s best to do your meal plan and grocery list the day before, so schedule this on the calendar for Tuesday. If you prefer to do all your household chores in one day, schedule that on your calendar for your preferred day. Be realistic about the time it will take to complete a task. We often underestimate the amount of time required to finish something. However, with experience, we can improve our estimations of how long a task will actually take.
Set all these tasks to repeat at your chosen frequency. This can be done automatically using apps like Google Tasks, or manually by using routine checklists. By scheduling your routine tasks into your calendar, you can ensure that you stay on top of all your responsibilities and achieve the outcomes you desire. Knowing that all your routine tasks are scheduled on the calendar allows a little relaxation, knowing that nothing will be missed (as long as we follow the schedule).
Step 5: Start Small
When creating a routine, it’s important to start small. Don’t try to incorporate too many activities at once, as it can be overwhelming and unsustainable. Instead, start with one or two activities and gradually add more as you become comfortable with your routine. Making a new routine automatic can take some time. To build on my progress, I use a series of 30-day challenges. As part of my monthly routine, I choose one new habit to work on for the upcoming month.
Step 5: Track Your Progress
To ensure that your routine sticks, it’s important to track your progress. Not only will this keep you accountable and motivated, but tracking your progress can also help you identify areas for improvement and celebrate your successes.
Here are some methods you can use to track your progress:
- Use a planner or a habit tracker app to keep track of your daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly routines. This will help you stay accountable and motivated to stick to your routine.
- Journal about your progress. Writing down your thoughts and feelings about your routine can help you reflect on what’s working and what’s not. It can also help you stay motivated by reminding you of the benefits of sticking to your routine.
- Consider getting an accountability partner. This can be a friend, family member, or even a professional coach. Having someone to report to and receive support from can make a big difference in your ability to stick to your routine over the long term.
Step 6: Adjust Your Routine as Needed
Creating a routine is not a one-time thing. As your priorities change, you may need to adjust your routine accordingly. It is important to remember that routines are not set in stone and that they can evolve with you. Here are some tips on how to adjust your routine as needed:
- Revisit your priorities: Regularly review your priorities and make sure they still align with your current goals and values. This will help you identify any areas of your routine that may need tweaking.
- Identify areas for improvement: Consider what parts of your routine are working well and what parts could be improved upon. Are you spending too much time on certain tasks? Are there areas where you could be more efficient?
- Experiment with different approaches: Try out different approaches to your routine to see what works best for you. This could involve changing the order of your tasks, switching up your work environment, or trying out new tools or techniques.
- Make changes intentionally: When making changes to your routine, be intentional about what you are doing and why. Have a clear purpose in mind and be mindful of the impact that any changes may have on other areas of your life.
Remember, the goal of your routine is to help you achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life. By regularly adjusting your routine as needed, you can ensure that it continues to serve that purpose.
Creating a routine that sticks is a challenging but rewarding process that requires careful planning and adjustment. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, you can create a routine that aligns with your priorities and helps you achieve success in different areas of your life. Remember to start small, track your progress, and adjust your routine as needed. With dedication and perseverance, you can create a routine that enhances your productivity, health, and happiness.
What techniques do you use to create and maintain your routines? I would love to know. Please share your thoughts in the comments section 🤍
