Routines are a great place to start if you are looking to create consistent behavioural change.
When you are working on your goals, a lot of it comes down to what you set as standards and what you make part of your identity.
Preparation met with opportunity is the way things can come into fruition.
The great thing with routines is that they often have a natural trigger to get you started...
A morning routine has the trigger of waking up; an afternoon routine has the trigger of being after lunch, a weekly review has the trigger of the end of the day on a Friday.
Any form of behavioural change can be tricky, but the trigger of a routine combined with the identification of when and where you will do something can really impact and increase your chances of you actually doing it.
So in this post, I wanted to share some ideas of what key routines you can implement into your life to up-level your life and business.
MORNING ROUTINE
With this one, you want to ensure you set yourself up for the day. The purpose of a morning routine is to get you prepared and energised for the day.
The mistake so many people make with a morning routine is either they over plan, and add too much to the routine and get overwhelmed as it is not sustainable. OR they allow their routine to be led by social media or emails and other exterior distractions which can be very draining.
Take back your day and gain momentum with a few core things that energise you and prepare you for the day ahead.
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Ideally, pick one and blend it into your existing routine:
- Movement.
- Journaling.
- Visualisation.
AFTERNOON ROUTINE
Ok, so the afternoon routine may seem totally pointless and a waste of time as your day has already started, and you have a lot to do, BUT this is a time when you can benefit from a routine the most!
The idea of an afternoon routine is to get your mind back in the game so you can finish your day strong.
It is very common that after a long morning, your attention and energy start to decrease, and an afternoon routine can help replenish that energy resource.
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Ideally, pick one and blend it into your existing routine:
-Tidy up your space.
-Get some fresh air.
-Move your body.
-Hydrate.
WEEKLY RESET ROUTINE
A weekly reset can offer you that fresh 'new year' feeling every week.
It is that feeling of being on top and on track with things.
It is that feeling of clarity.
It is that feeling of freedom.
A weekly reset routine usually entails a review of the week, as well as a review of the overall goals. You can then use this information to work out your objectives for the week.
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Ideally, pick one and blend it into your existing routine:
-Clear out your digital space.
-Review your week.
-Review your goals.
EVENING ROUTINE
They say your morning routine starts in the evening. With that in mind, the purpose of your evening routine really is about preparation.
You can use your evening routine as a way of preparing your mind, your space, and your goals.
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Ideally, pick one and blend it into your existing routine:
-Write out your goals.
-Write our your to-do list for the next day.
-Prepare your tea/ coffee for the next day.
-Put out your clothes.
WIND-DOWN ROUTINE
Last but certainly not least, your wind-down routine.
The purpose of a wind-down routine is to lessen the intensity of the day.
A wind-down routine is a great time to gather your thoughts, visualise your day for tomorrow, write your to-do list and clear your mind.
We often take baggage from one part of our day to another part of it. For example, we take the energy from our workday into our family life and as you can imagine, that rarely serves us!
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Ideally, pick one and blend it into your existing routine:
-Meditate.
-Mind Dump.
-Visualisation.
-Journal.
I hope these routines have given you some food for thought. If you are going to try one of them, I strongly suggest the wind-down routine as it is one that is so often overlooked but can have such an impact!
If you implement any of these routines, be sure to tag us and let us know over on Instagram.
