How to Create a Daily Routine Unique to You
There is not one perfect routine for anyone. We are all very different with very different lives, interests and points of views. Being different is great! I cannot even fathom a world where there are people just like me at every bend and curve.
That said, all of us need a very different daily routine. I plan on sharing a general process and offer up some advice to create the perfect routine for you.
First and foremost, why do you need a routine? Why is it important to have one established into order to make sure your day is a little less hectic and a little more organized?
Having a routine makes it easier for you to get things done! With an established plan and schedule along with the tools to know how to it, you have everything needed to follow the routine. Plus, a routine will make you so much more productive.
Worker smarter, not harder.
It’s much easier to establish a routine that you think, and you only need a bit of planning and trials and error until you find the ideal one that works for you.
What are your life goals?
What do you want to achieve in life? Reflect on that and see how it ties into your future. How will you achieve them and what steps will you take to achieve them? Try coming up with yearly and monthly goals, then establish daily goals to achieve the monthly goals.
What are your priorities?
Taking into consideration the tasks mentioned above, those should be your priorities, but also consider other things such as spending more time with your friends and family, hitting the gym more, learning a new language, starting a business, etc.
Understand and chase what’s important in your life. If it’s important, it should be part of your daily routine to an extent.
What are your non-priority activities?
What else do you like to do? What other tasks or activities would you like to have time for but just don’t at this point? For example, working out more, meditating, cooking, etc. It might not be a current priority in your life, but maybe down the road, you’d like for it to be.
Take it all in and work towards your schedule.
You have probably just listed a lot of tasks and activities. You might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, and that’s ok!
The overall goal is to distribute these tasks in accordance to your monthly goals.
Take all of the hours of the days and make sure to exclude the average number of hours you sleep. Then think about when you tend to be most productive. I tend to be most productive in the morning, after my HUGE cup of joe, which is a reason I start my day early.
Organizing the priorities and non-priorities
Look at the rest of your priorities. Fit those into your day when it makes sense to you. If it’s before your 9-5 job or if it’s after you get home, put them on the schedule. Also ensure that you’re adding in times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you have kids, like myself, I’ll want to include bath time and education time. Once you’ve added all of the priorities, plan time for the rest of the non-priority activities.
- Really consider what your priorities are
- Prioritize those tasks that will help you towards achieving your goals
- Make time for you
- Make time to have fun
- Know that you will fail. Keeping to your schedule every day is nearly impossible. Also understand that your schedule is constantly a work in progress and can be adjusted as your wants and needs change.
Here is an example of the schedule I use:
