Has your life been commandeered by routine?

That’s really a loaded question. What specifically is meant by “routine”?

Here’s my limited definition: Stuff you do that you don’t want to do.

There are many things that most all people do that they don’t want to do. The real question is: Do those things make up most of your routine?

If that’s the case, it’s time for, as the comedians’ say, “a new act.”

I am a big fan of routine (for me). It sets a framework for getting things accomplished. I’m a list person; I keep electronic sticky notes on my computer and regular ones in other places as reminders of things I want or need to do.

The part where it seems as though someone else has taken over my life is when all those sticky notes contain things I don’t want to do. That’s when the uprising begins. It seems as though part of me goes on a sit-down strike. I don’t do anything.

I want to do things but become temporarily paralyzed by the daunting list of things to do. I don’t believe I’m alone.

The good news is I have found a remedy to keep this from happening.

If you’re anything like me, your list, written down or not, contains tasks. Where is it written that the only thing you can write down is a task?

How many people put “take a warm bath” or “take a nap” on their list? No, the list is filled with chores.

When you are listing the things that you want to accomplish, make sure to include things that are pleasurable and assign them a high priority.

I’m a tea drinker. One of the things on my list is take a break and enjoy a cup of tea. If it’s nice outdoors, I’ll brew a cup and take the time to sit out in the fresh air and enjoy it. When I worked for others, I would routinely go sit outdoors for about 15 minutes and breathe in the fresh air. It was a coffee break without coffee. It was pleasurable and cleared my head for other things I wanted to accomplish.

Too many keep these practices as rewards when they are all done their tasks. I’m suggesting that it take on the same importance as “clean the bathroom” or “get this proposal to so and so.” Make pleasure a planned part of your routine.

It’s a tiny shift in focus but can really pay dividends in helping you move through your list. It will make your day anything but routine.

All the best,

John

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