10 Practical Habits of Effective Routines
Establishing an effective — consistent — routine is important to provide structure and purpose to your day. Effective “daily” routines can help you stay: more focused, more organized, and more on track. And, what is more important, is that effective routines help reduce procrastination.
We all have a “limited” amount of time to get things done each day. Establishing an effective routine will also help maximize your time — get more done in less time. Consider implementing the 10 Practical Habits of Effective Routines to become more productive.
1. Prioritize Sleep.
You must get “enough” sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults need 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night. Whenever we get busy, one of the first things we give up and sacrifice is sleep. To this end, I suggest you establish a bedtime routine. This signals your mind/body: it’s time to wind down as well as get ready for bed.
How to establish a nightly bedtime routine:
- No TV/Phone 1 hour before bed.
- Go to bed at the same time (PM).
- Wake up at the same time (AM).
2. Develop a Morning Routine.
Set yourself up for success by starting your day by completing the same routine tasks or activities, that will help you to: wake up, get your day started, and be productive. Make your bed. Drink glass of water. Take multi-vitamin. Drink cup of coffee/tea. Eat a healthy breakfast. Exercise. Stretch. Pray. Meditate. Read. Journal. Do. It. Every. Day.
3. Create a schedule.
Take the time to create a daily schedule, so you know the WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE you should be doing certain tasks. In short, when you create a schedule, and stick to it, you are establishing a routine that will help you stay on track and on task.
4. Eat a Healthy Breakfast.
Eating a balanced breakfast can give you the energy and nutrients to power through a productive day.
5. Stay Organized.
A great way to keep on track of all of your goals, commitments, and routines are to stay organized. Staying organized by having a plan and making sure to stick to it can make a world of difference in staying motivated, reducing stress, and, again, reaching your goals.
6. Respect Yourself.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Did you just sing with me)? Respecting yourself is important. If you don’t respect yourself, you will struggle with every decision you’ll ever make, how you treat yourself, and even how you allow other people to treat you. Simply put, you can’t give away what you don’t have. Respect yourself.
7. Visualize Success.
A great way to help you reach goals is to visualize success. Positive visualization can not only help you reach an attainable goal, but can also serve as a reminder of why you are actually striving to reach the goal. Visualizing success can reinvigorate one’s drive and keep them motivated.
8. Take 100% Responsibility.
Taking 100% responsibility for mistakes is a sign of maturity, and is essential when striving for success. Owning up to your mistakes, and taking responsibility, for them can not only provide you with valuable lessons but can also prove to be a display of integrity in the eyes of others.
9. Utilize Resources.
Surrounding oneself with the correct resources can really help you focus and move towards your goals. Take advantage of educational resources and networking opportunities. This will not only broaden your knowledge, but will also increase your chances of achieving success.
10. Take Initiative.
Taking initiative is the ability to be resourceful and to take action — without having to be told exactly what to do — to make something happen. Taking initiative is a great way to prove to yourself — and others — that you are serious and willing to go the extra mile. You must be willing put in the effort and think for yourself. No can do it for you. If you need help, ask. Don’t expect — and rely on others — to accomplish tasks and achieve goals for you. Taking initiative requires confidence, determination, resilience, and the willingness to work hard for whatever you want.
While achieving success can be difficult, the 10 Practical Habits of Success offer a strong foundation to help you tackle your major goals and aspirations. Having something to aim for — and developing practical habits into daily life — will help you to continue to move forward in spite of any obstacles.