How To Create a Routine And Stick To It: 10-Step Guide

In today’s article you’re going to learn everything you need to know about how to create a routine and stick to it.

If you want to increase your productivity and add more structure to your life, adopting a routine could be the solution. Routines can be enjoyable, aid in organization, and improve time management skills. By establishing the purpose of your routine, setting a specific time for it, sticking to the plan, and following each step diligently, you can effortlessly integrate a daily routine into your lifestyle.

How To Create a Routine And Stick To It:

1. To create a routine, begin by recording your daily activities to identify which tasks to include.

Take note of your current daily obligations or tasks you want to add to your routine in a list, then use it to plan your routine. Group activities that align with the same objective for efficient productivity.

For instance, if your aim is to have a productive morning routine, combine activities that you can accomplish in the morning and contribute to productivity, like taking medication or answering emails. It is easier to group tasks by time (e.g., morning or evening) rather than purpose.

2. Before devising a routine, define a specific purpose for it.

Do you aim to become more productive, stay fit, or lead a healthier lifestyle? Identifying your end goal is essential before creating a routine.

For instance, if you want to live a healthier life, you could design a routine that facilitates better sleep and enables you to cook nutritious meals. Your routine’s objective could also determine when you implement it throughout the day. For instance, exercise routines are often carried out in the morning, as people tend to have more energy at that time.

3. To organize your routine, create a daily to-do list.

This helps remind you of the tasks you need to accomplish and provides a sense of accomplishment when completed items are crossed off. If you prefer a structured routine, list the time you want to finish each task (e.g., “7:30-eat breakfast. 8:00-leave for work.”).

However, if you prefer flexibility, write down your daily tasks in the order you want to complete them.

4. When initiating a routine, make tasks more attainable by breaking them into smaller components.

By splitting tasks into mini-tasks, they become more manageable, and progress can be achieved one step at a time.

For instance, when cleaning your apartment, divide the weekly task into smaller chores such as vacuuming the carpet, dusting the furniture, and cleaning the bathroom. If a task takes too long, divide it into smaller activities to gain a sense of accomplishment quickly and maintain motivation.

5. Designate a regular time slot to execute your routine once you’ve determined the objective and components of your routine.

Allocate a block of time in your everyday schedule to adhere to your routine. It’s best to allot more time for each task than you anticipate needing.

For instance, if you usually exercise for 40 minutes, set aside an hour for the task. This approach helps prevent stress when executing your routine. Make sure to follow your routine even when you have a hectic schedule.

Many routine activities, such as making your bed, taking medication, and having breakfast, can be completed quickly, and checking them off your to-do list gives a sense of accomplishment.

6. To be more consistent, perform your routine at the same time every day.

For long-term consistency, allocate a specific time block (e.g., 7:30 to 8:00) to your routine every day. However, if your daily schedule is less structured, commit to dedicating some time to your routine each day.

If you’re unable to adhere to a specific time for your routine, make sure you spend the necessary time on your routine tasks every day. While following a routine, it’s crucial to remain adaptable.

Create a plan for your routine on a larger time-scale, considering what needs to be accomplished daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, and yearly.

This long-term planning will make it easier to organize and carry out your activities over an extended period. Consider purchasing a calendar or agenda to help you manage your time effectively.

A written and scheduled routine is easier to fit into your daily or weekly activities. To make your routine a habit, plan it out for at least three weeks.

7. To turn your routine into a habit, it’s crucial to follow it consistently for 21 days.

This time frame is generally sufficient for an activity to become ingrained as a habit. You might still develop a habit even if you miss a day during this period, but if you miss two or more days, it’s advisable to redesign your routine to make it easier to accomplish daily. Once you start doing your routine tasks without conscious thought, you’ve successfully formed a habit.

8. It’s normal to make mistakes or slip up when starting a routine.

Instead of being hard on yourself, allow some flexibility to accomplish only some or none of the routine for that day. Try to be successful the next day.

For instance, if you aim to do 40 pushups (1) but only manage 20, acknowledge that you still achieved part of your goal and try to improve next time. Don’t abandon your routine if you encounter early setbacks, as it will become easier over time.

9. To monitor the effectiveness of your routine, evaluate your progress regularly.

If you have weekly goals, review them at the end of each week to determine if your routine is assisting you in reaching those goals. If your routine is not aiding you, determine which components of it may require improvement.

Consider examining your progress on a monthly basis for longer-term objectives, such as weight loss. For example, if your objective is to become more productive in the morning, determine if your routine has helped you get to work on time.

10. Be open to modifying your routine over time.

After testing your routine, don’t hesitate to make adjustments as needed. Your routine should be flexible and dynamic, so don’t be afraid to make changes, whether that means adding or removing tasks or modifying your routine to align with new objectives. As an illustration, if your exercise routine has become too simple, you might consider incorporating more challenging exercises into it.

Here is a summary on how to have a routine:

Determine your goals and what you want your routine to accomplish.
Decide what tasks you need to include in your routine.
Carve out a specific time in your schedule to follow your routine every day.
Plan out your routine on a longer time-scale, considering what needs to be done daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.
Follow your routine consistently for at least 3 weeks to make it a habit.
Forgive yourself when you slip up and don’t give up on your routine if you fail early on.
Keep track of your progress to gauge whether your routine is working and make changes as needed.
Remember that having a routine can improve your productivity, help you achieve your goals, and reduce stress (2). With commitment and consistency, you can establish a successful routine that works for you.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to create a routine and stick to it. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.