The morning is the most important time of the day for maximizing our energies and setting a positive mood to carry through the day. Every day is a fresh start with fresh possibilities and challenges to better ourselves in some way, and we do this by adopting practices that will support us in this journey.
Starting the day off with our routine help us to follow throughout the course of the day.
How Routine Helps in Our Growth
The word “routine” has greater power since it gives us a sense of control, saves time and energy, and helps us arrange our days. It helps us to stay on track and help us to stay grounded and focused.
John C. Maxwell once said, “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
Doing the same things at the same time every day helps us to achieve our goals and to stay committed. According to studies, routines help us to increase productivity and focus, which can improve performance in any area. A routine makes things simpler. When we form a pattern and keep doing the same things, our brains become programmed to do these tasks, which can make us more productive.
Sometimes keeping commitments to ourselves isn’t easy. Keeping commitments to yourself means doing what you say you are going to do. Self-discipline and consistency are important to build and focus on our routine. Consistency helps us to make progress.
“A daily routine built on good habits and disciplines separates the most successful among us from everyone else. The routine is exceptionally powerful,” says Darren Hardy.
You can improve your self-consistency by:
Enjoying Your Rituals
Create an environment where you are enjoying your daily chores. Allow yourself to be present in the moment enjoying every bit of your work. While cooking food embrace all the ingredients, watch them mix with each other, smell the dish, and feel the steam of your hot dish. Observe how satisfying it is to see the mixed vegetables turning into a delicious dish. We are never going to be free of our daily chores and routines it is better to embrace them.
Routines and rituals motivate you to follow through on your commitments to yourself and to be consistent.
Clarifying Your Priorities
Being clear on your priorities makes it easier to make decisions. It also helps you to be in the moment of the day.
Committing to Consistency
Even if you don’t feel like doing it, try doing it every day or every weekday instead. When I take action each day, I’ve discovered success (reading, working out, journaling, preparing healthy breakfasts, etc).
I came across this “A New Morning Routine” when reading Jay Shetty’s “Think Like a Monk” book, and it has helped me start my day off well.
TRY THIS: A NEW MORNING ROUTINE
Every morning makes some time for:
- Thankfulness: Express gratitude to someone, someplace, or something every day. This includes thinking about it, writing it, and sharing it.
- Insight: Gain insight through reading the paper or a book, or listening to a podcast.
- Meditation: Spend fifteen minutes alone, breathing, visualizing, or with sound.
- Exercise: Do some basic stretches or a workout.
Every day will be not the same. There will be complications and uncertainties in life that you have to manage. Establish a functional routine. Make sure you share your goals and intentions with someone you can trust and who can help you through this process when things get tough. You can practice some habits that can enhance your work, relationships, and mental health, such as getting enough sleep and exercise, eating well, keeping a schedule, and practicing mindfulness.
And be compassionate with yourself and trust this process towards more thoughtful routines.
Sona Savaikar received her Masters’s degree in Clinical Psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa. She is passionate about writing because it gives her a sense of freedom and opportunities to learn new things. She loves spending time in nature, reading books, sipping coffee, and focusing on what matters in life to grow.