How To Build A Routine And Stick To It

As I prepared to re-enter the full-time workforce after taking a year off to earn my MBA degree, I knew the days of working on deliverables until 1 a.m. and getting up five hours later to study for that 8 a.m. finance exam were over. Also gone were the two-hour gaps between classes that I took advantage of for studying, resting or running an errand. In other words, it was back to regular workday hours.

I decided to establish a routine that would be more conducive to my new corporate life. Actually, it was more like reestablishing a routine. For the first seven months of my program, I fairly regularly stuck to the 5:10 a.m.–11 p.m. corporate routine that I came to rely on just prior to starting the program. As the year went on, for one reason or another, I started closing the books closer to 1 a.m. and starting the coffee between 6–6:30 a.m.

According to the average student's standard, anything before 8:00 a.m. is early. Nevertheless, I found myself missing what had become my most productive time of the day (i.e., 5:30 a.m.–7 a.m.).

So, for about a week, I concentrated on re-establishing a routine. This experiential journalism project allowed me to gather tips and tricks for readers interested in establishing a routine. Here is my strategy for successful change.

1. Organize your space. Starting a new routine in clean living and work spaces will help you stay focused.

2. Think ahead. Do everything you can the night before. Make your lunch, lay out your clothes, prepare your coffee, whatever you can do in advance will save you time in the morning should something go awry.

3. Get up at the same time every day. At first, it might be challenging to arise at a time earlier than you are used to or at an early hour after working late. Regardless, try to wake at the same time as much as possible. Not doing so will throw off your routine and may make you more tired in the long run. (Note: I find it healthy to treat weekends as a slight exception, but still suggest waking up around 8 a.m.)

4. Integrate activities into your routine that you enjoy. Maybe it’s a daily run, 20 minutes of reflection time or a sit-down breakfast. Whatever it is, make it a priority. Treating yourself increases the likelihood that you will continue to excel at sticking to the more mundane portion of your routine.

5. Remember that your new plan may not work at first: reflect, refine, re-adjust and re-motivate yourself.

6. Remind yourself of the time and energy you save by sticking to the routine. A little pain brings a lot of gain.

7. Writing down your goal and schedule will help you remain organized and focused. So put the pen to the paper.

Best wishes as you embark on establishing a routine. The brutality gets better ... I promise.