In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it can be a daunting task to build a daily routine. While everyone is aware of the importance of building a daily routine, not all can stick to it. In this blog, I will share some simple aspects of creating a routine that you can follow in your daily life without failing.
A day is the miniature version of your life. Everything you do in your present will decide how your life will look in the future.
A balanced and orderly life is largely based on your daily routine. They offer direction, structure, and a feeling of control amidst life’s always-shifting tides. A daily routine is not just a task; it’s a roadmap that affects your well-being, productivity, and health.
Success is not an overnight process. It takes months and years of consistent effort to be successful in life.
A daily routine is the most important attribute of any successful person. A well-structured daily routine leads to a happy and balanced life. However, the catch is that most people lack the discipline it demands to follow their daily routine with patience and dedication.
Yes, consistency is boring. It is mundane. But it always yields results in the long run. If you want to pave the way for a fulfilled life, then stay focused on your goals and plans and work towards them every day.
This blog will help you build a daily routine that will help you achieve your goals and build a life where you feel fulfilled and content.
Daily Routine 101: 10 Simple Steps to Create an Effective Routine for Yourself
Success is subjective. There is no universal meaning to it. However, the principles that take you towards that “success” are universal.
Here are my 10 simple steps in creating a daily routine that will help you work more efficiently towards your goals as I have been doing every day.
10 Steps to Create an Effective Daily Routine
These 10 steps have helped me build a daily routine that has improved my work pattern and productivity. I hope you find something relevant to follow and build a daily routine for your desired life. I hope these steps help you achieve your aims in your life.
1. Fix the time for waking up and sleeping
The building block of creating a daily routine is establishing a fixed time for waking up and sleeping. Following a regular sleeping schedule has been my greatest battle so far. Steadily, I have managed to navigate my way through this.
Having a consistent sleep schedule helps to regulate your body’s internal clock, also known as the Circadian rhythm or the biological clock.
You may be an early riser or a night owl based on your sleep chronotype. However, the key is to have a fixed time for going to bed and getting out of it. I am usually awake between 7-8 am now and I am in my bed by 11 pm.
2. Keep the alarm clock away from your bed or side table
The most difficult part of building a routine is waking up on time and not snoozing your mobile phone. We all have been through this, I am sure most of you deal with this situation.
The solution is to buy an alarm clock and put it away from your bed so that you can come out of bed to stop the alarm. If you’re using your smartphone for the alarm clock, then do the same. Keep it away from your bed so that it’s away from your immediate reach to not snooze or stop the alarm.
3. Schedule social media time
Social media has become a lifestyle now. For many, it is a crucial part of their personality. Likes, comments, and social media have ingrained themselves into your lives and are impossible to ignore or erase.
The impact of social media has both its advantages and disadvantages. However, to save yourself from all the social media FOMO and negative comparisons, it is advised to limit your social media use as much as possible.
You must admit that constant use of social media is disrupting your daily schedule with unnecessary distractions and mindless scrolling.
To keep your daily routine uninterrupted, you must schedule a specific time for using your social media. You can also set a time limit for your frequently used apps as I have done for my Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
4. Create a to-do List
This is one part of my day that has been a non-negotiable for the past 3 years and it works like a charm for me to stay on track with my goals.
I end my day by planning my next day. So, make sure you do this before you go to bed at night. It is a valuable step towards your organization and productivity. To create a to-do list, you can follow the 4-step framework illustrated below.
- Set SMART goals i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Bound
- Prioritize tasks as per their importance and urgency
- Include flexible buffer time for unforeseen circumstances
- Review and adjust as per your ability to adapt and complete the tasks
- Allot time slots for each task and practice time-blocking
5. Start with Small Changes
Creating a daily routine is not an overnight change. It takes time. Expecting immediate changes is unrealistic and can lead to frustration.
If you don’t want to give up, if you are dead serious about building a routine, then start with small changes.
Suppose you wake up at 9.00 a.m. every day, then make a routine where you wake up at 8.30 a.m. every day. As you become more comfortable, push yourself to the next level, try to wake up at 7 a.m., and in this way, set up a waking time that fulfills your requirements.
6. Find an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner stands as a beacon of success in your life. It is difficult to give up when you are accountable for your actions. Choose an accountability partner carefully.
They should share your goals and be supportive and reliable. This will lead to higher chances of building and sticking to your daily routine.
For me, this accountability partner is my partner. He is the one who keeps me in check with my goals. He is the one I share my aspirations with and the person who motivates me on my bad days.
7. Reward and Punish
You must show gratitude even towards small achievements. Practicing gratitude should be a part of your daily routine.
If you complete 80% of your daily tasks, treat yourself to something that brings you joy. It could be an afternoon nap, an extra piece of cheesecake, or any material possessions.
But if you don’t follow your tasks in your daily routine, then remember to punish yourself too. I do this by working for some extra hours to compensate for my lazy days.
8. Monitor your weekly progress
Every week, monitor your progress and see if any adjustments are required in your routine. Notice which time of the day you are most productive, and then assign tasks accordingly. Identify the patterns in your behavior and try to adjust your routine accordingly.
My yearly planner has helped me in the simplest yet most powerful way to track my weekly and monthly progress. It has dedicated pages that help to consistently analyze my progress and growth as I work towards building my dreams.
9. Take up a Job
If you aren’t working and are unable to build a daily routine on your own despite your efforts, then consider taking up a job. A job has fixed timing, which molds you into a routine.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to do it alone without any support, and there is no problem with that.
Each individual has different capabilities and mindsets. So, if you wish to, you can consider taking up a job to build your daily routine.
10. Build your willpower
Building a daily routine ultimately comes down to having strong willpower; the first step is to build a growth mindset. Your mindset is the backbone of your desired life. If you can think about making it happen, you can make it happen.
It all comes down to reinforcing your belief in your capabilities. The key is to overcome your negative self-talk and encourage yourself towards thoughts and ideas that boost your confidence and drive your determination to continue working on your aims.
4 Benefits of Following a Daily Routine
Now that you have learned the basics of building a daily routine, you must learn the benefits too. Here are 4 of them that will push you towards investing your thoughts and time in creating a daily routine that is aligned with your goals.
1. Increased Productivity
When you tailor a daily routine as per your requirements, you assign specific tasks to specific time slots. This helps you focus on your work in those time slots with no distractions or multitasking to decrease your productivity.
2. Learning Time Management
Time is the most valuable currency, and a daily routine helps you spend it wisely. By scheduling time for different tasks and making a to-do list, you can prioritize your important and urgent tasks. Whether you realize it or not, learning time management plays a massive role in your professional and personal growth.
3. Improved Health and Well-Being
When you have a daily routine, you eat, exercise, and take care of yourself based on this routine. This makes you feel better mentally and physically. With a proper daily routine, you don’t just feel better but you’re also healthy from within.
4. Fulfilled Life
Success is not an occasional incident; it is the result of consistent action powered by a daily routine. Having a daily routine means you work towards your goal with daily, small efforts. Growing 1% every day leads to massive success in the long run.
Success is not just about professional accomplishments; it is about your overall well-being. A daily routine helps you maintain a successful life because you leave your worst habits by overcoming them and building a lifestyle that is more aligned with your goals.
Conclusion
Success is never a destination but an ongoing journey. It is the sum of everyday efforts coupled with a well-structured daily routine.
The daily routine is not the secret ingredient for a successful life. It is the ingredient that most people are aware of but fail to implement in their lives. It is what most people negate despite their awareness.
Your daily routine is not just a collection of your tasks but it is a commitment to your aspirations, a testament to your dedication, and the sauce for your successful life.
I hope this guide will help you build your daily routine and set sail toward the success that you’re aiming for.
But remember that failure is a part of the process; failures are the stepping stones to success. Each time you fail, learn from it and move on.
Learn and embrace your setbacks too, and improve your routine-building strategies on the go.
So what are you waiting for?
Stop procrastinating and start right away.
“In a daily routine built strong, success roars.”
