If you are a “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of person, then you probably won’t like what I have to say, but you might want to read on anyway.
Yes, sometimes we need to be spontaneous and make the proper changes when things don’t go as planned. However, our spontaneity should not become the design of our actions, but the attitude of our actions. What this means is we should not depend on our spontaneity to govern how we plan, make decisions or follow opportunities. Going with the flow all the time is not an excuse for lack of planning.
The same thing applies to those who are able to make and act on quick decisions. Just because we can make quick decisions, and manipulate our schedules as we go along, it does not mean we should live our lives without a plan, and without routines.
For example, let’s say you want to get married. And you’re great at making things up as you go. So, you book a church and send invitations to all your Facebook friends. When you’re fiancée asks about the wedding you say, “don’t worry, babe, I booked the church and sent out the invitations. Now, all we have to do is take things as they come. You know how quick I am on my feet. I’m sure I can work everything out.” For the groom, this may sound good. But most likely your bride will walk away even before you stop talking.
It’s the routines and disciplines of planning that allows us to accomplish our goals and desires. As we work our plans, we need the flexibility to be spontaneous and make adjustments along the way. Most of us have more routines than we realize. It could be the times we wake up, go to bed, do exercise, drive to work, eat lunch, or even negative routines like making excuses, poor health habits or some other obsessive compulsive action.
Ideas to Establish Routines.
* Family Routines
As parents, my wife and I set Saturday nights aside for family nights. Even when our teens complained about not being able to go out with friends. Although this stopped when their friends started to join the fun. Years later all of my children told me those were important times in their lives. I believe this helped establish purpose for our family because now my children are doing the same with their children.
* Health Routines
Every few years you might want to try keeping a sleep journal. Click for our Better Sleep Worksheet. Also, a periodical eating and exercise journal can help as well. Click for our Eating / Exercise Worksheet. This may allow you the opportunity to optimize your eating, sleeping and exercise habits.
* Money Routines
To set up money routines, it’s a good idea to keep a journal for a few months on everything you spend money on. Then tally up your spending and categorize each area according to what and where you spend. It may come as a shock to see how much one spends on coffee, soda, or water alone. I have saved thousands by buying an espresso machine 10 years ago. Although I might have to start charging my friends for cappuccino. Also setting up a financial plan and budgeting can help tremendously. Click for our Guide To Saving Money Everywhere.
* Productivity Routines:
We all have our own routines. One of my most productive routines is my yearly goal setting sheet. Click for our Guide To Writing Better Goals. Every year I write a list of about 50 to 100 things I want to do during the year. I categorize them by financial, family health etc. I then print, laminate, and keep one sheet in my organizer and one in my office. This way they are always in front of me so I can keep making plans to fulfill them. Then as I check them off one by one, my encouragement level goes way up. My lowest percentage of goals reached was 58%, my highest was 86%. At the end of the year, I roll over the unfinished ones to the next year and start my list from these unfinished goals.
Establish Routines: Conclusion
If you feel like you are struggling, or even like your routines are hindering you, don’t be discouraged. Remember that routines are there to serve you, not for you to serve the routine. So don’t be afraid to try new things, and change your routine along your way to success. Find what works and stick to it, leave what doesn’t behind.