How to create a sustainable routine, that works for you?
This week has been a hard switch in our house from late starts, flexible days and endless snacks. As needed as the summer break was, I am fully ready to get back into an autumn routine.
A routine reduces the daily decisions and mental load. After a few weeks of routine, my brain knows where I need to be, what I need to be doing and what I need to prepare for ahead of time.
I learned through experience with every team I have led and in family life equally, that people do better when they know what to expect and when.
3 important steps to create a sustainable, energising routine, that works:
1. Make sure you are a priority in the routine
That may sound obvious but it is often the overlooked box in the plan. What do I mean? After you map out the week, the knowns, the needs, the tasks... stop, and check, is there a high point in the week for you?
Whether it's a learning goal, a hobby, a sport, time with friends, if you don't have it in the plan as equal priority to everything else, you will be deprioritised, and often deprioritise yourself.
QUICK TIP - Pick one thing you want to do in the month and make sure it is in the routine, as a non-negotiable
2.Make the routine visible to everyone
Who remembers the days of studying for school exams? I would spend a whole week buying new pens, making a beautiful study plan and creating the most stunning plan...and then it would never get looked at again.
A routine takes time to become embedded so the key to success is to make it visible, visible to everyone - your team, the family, your support network. The more people know what is happening, the more likely it is for your routine to succeed
QUICK TIP - Make sure everyone can see your routine calendar, but also in action. For the first few weeks, stick to it so people learn the rhythm, where they fit. Especially your personal high points in the calendar, it's non-negotiable.
3. Make sure you include recovery time
In my Autumn routine, Sunday is just one big "rest day" block. I have intentionally added a block to the time so that nothing starts to get scheduled over it.
This day is the most important for me and my family. A day with no schedule where we can pack the car and take off, visit family without rushing and splinter off to do what helps each person recover - for me, it's a yoga class or a dog walk with a friend, for my husband, it's reading the papers in peace.
QUICK TIP - Protect your recovery time. A routine doesn't mean you need to be on the go all the time. In my experience, if it is, it's set up to fail.
Inspired to take control of your routine this autumn, but no idea where to start?
Join my upcoming 6 week group coaching programme "Should vs. Want".
This programme is best known for creating space for you to think about what you really want and accountability to start to take small steps towards building a routine that works for you (not based on "shoulds")
The next cohort starts on September 22nd. The perfect timing to build your new goals and routine with the support and inspiration of a small group of people who are ready to make a change in their lives.
