7 Things You Need to Know About Routines

Even though you may realize you need a routine in your life, it can be hard to know where to start. This blog begins with three essential items you need have on your daily routine. It then discusses four helpful ideas to help you establish and maintain your routine.

Every cleaning and organizing expert talks about the importance of routines. Each person's routine may look different and include different items. However, there are certain items that should be on every person's daily routine. Sometimes it is hard to know how to set up a routine and get on track. Here are three items you need to include in your daily routine.

1. Three Separate Times

A routine is not a schedule. A schedule tells you what to do at a certain time. A routine tells you an order of items to be done but does not specify when you should do them. When you are setting up your routines, you need three separate times during the day that you are going to follow. The last one depends on what your daily schedule looks like. If you work outside of the home, you need to establish a routine when you come home. If you are a stay-at-home parent, you need to establish an afternoon routine.

2. Only a Few Items Per Time Block

A routine is overwhelming if it includes too many items that are accomplished in the time you designated. A morning routine that includes twenty items that have to be done before you can get out the door is neither reasonable nor doable. When you are setting up your routine, carefully consider how long each item will take and if it is feasible that you can accomplish all of those items in the time allowed.

3. Only Designate Essential Items

If your routine is bogged down with non-essential items, it's likely that you won't accomplish the things that are essential. A routine is a basic guideline. It is not a schedule and it is not an extensive to-do list. So, while your morning routine should include making your bed, it should not include cleaning your entire bedroom. If you want to clean your bedroom every morning, that's fine. But it should be done in addition to the items that are already part of your morning routine.

Now that you understand what items to include in your routine and what a routine actually is, here are four rules that will help you stick to them. 

1. Start with the Evening Routine

Most organizational experts agree the evening routine is the most important. This sets up the next day for success. The items in your evening routine should focus on making your morning go smoother and getting you out the door faster and easier.

For instance, picking out your clothes, including all undergarments and socks, can save precious minutes in the morning. This also gives you a chance to double-check your clothing to make sure there are no stains or wrinkles. Check your calendar to see what is on your schedule for the day and prepare any necessary items, such as a purse, briefcase, or diaper bag.

2. Keep Your Morning Routine Simple

Morning routines are essential, try to keep it to no more than five. If you are struggling to complete the items on your morning routine, try getting up 15 minutes earlier. It is highly recommended by most cleaning experts that making your bed should be in your morning routine. This starts your day out right and sets you up for success. Even if your bedroom is a disaster zone, a nicely made-up bed can improve its look of it.

3. Beyond the Basics

To get started with your routine, you want to keep it pretty basic. Write down what your ideal routine looks like with the things you need to do and the things you want to do. From there, put things into an order that makes sense. Think about how much time you’d like to dedicate to each activity or habit – and also keep in mind the amount of time you have to make it all happen.

4. Make Your Routine A Habit

Follow your routine consistently for 3 weeks to make it a habit.  It generally takes 21 days for an activity to become an ingrained habit. Make sure you consistently do your routine tasks every day for 3 weeks to get fully accustomed to your new routine.

You will probably still form a habit after 21 days if you miss 1 day somewhere in those 3 weeks. However, if you find that you skip your routine on 2 or more days, consider redesigning your routine to make it easier for you to accomplish every day.

Once you start doing the activities in your routine without thinking, then you’ve successfully formed a habit!