How To Create A Routine (And Stick To It)
I’ve recently moved city and this is the first time in my life that I am working 9-5 full-time, so I’ve been trying to set up a healthy morning and afternoon routine for myself.
After a little research (and a lot of discipline), I’ve discovered a formula that works for me. Here are my steps on how to create a routine (and stick to it):
- Sleep is your friend
No matter how many people say, “if you don’t have enough time, just sleep less”, do not listen to them. Having enough sleep per night is key to helping you achieve everything you’ve set out to do in your day. For me, I need 8 hours a day to function at full capacity. For most people, it’s between 7-9 hours. You will know what’s right for your body.
- Have a set time for exercise
Finding time to exercise isn’t the struggle for me, it’s leaving the house to go and do the exercise that’s the problem. However, setting specific times to exercise has helped me a lot in this regard. I go every second day straight after I finish work. I know that if I spend too long in the apartment when I get back from work, the less likely I’m going to go to the gym.
- Plan your day at least the night before (and down to the minute)
When you know exactly what you should be doing the next day, you can wake up in the morning with a clear sense of what you have to do. This can be a huge relief. I, myself, love to write out plans for my days so I can give everything a little “tick” when it’s done (it’s the teacher in me). This may not be for you, but I guarantee you that you will wake up feeling better about your day, and be more likely to achieve your daily goals, if you know exactly what you are doing from dawn till dusk. Make sure to also schedule in “free time”. This may sound ridiculous, but it’s important to have “me time” throughout the day.
4. Be realistic
You are not going to be able to cram in 100 activities in one day so it’s important to know how to prioritize. If you have too many activities for one day, create two separate schedules and alternate between days.
5. Motivate yourself
Always remember the pro’s of keeping a schedule; you will be more organized, and in turn less stressed, in control of your life, more successful in your work and personal life. Reward yourself when you do complete a task and if you can keep a schedule for a whole week, reward yourself then as well. Remember that your schedule might need tweaking from time to time, once it’s tried and tested, so be open to doing that as you go. This is all about finding what works for YOU.
What are your tips for keeping a healthy schedule?
xx
