Being in a routine can be a double-edged sword. While it has undeniable positive aspects, it can also have some negative aspects.
A routine can make things easier for people, as they know what to do with each day or circumstance they face. It can help them plan and tackle certain tasks, complete projects, or allow them to go about their day without too much drama. Productivity can be at its highest, as everything is as regular as clockwork.
However, on the flip side, a routine can be limiting. It can stop individuals from trying something new or learning a new skill, leading to a lack of creativity. The monotony of doing the same thing can lead to boredom. It also prevents a level of flexibility from being achieved, as it can become difficult to react to changes or unexpected situations.
Changes can be made
Thankfully, routines don’t have to be as fixed in nature as they might appear. They can be changed. Changes do not have to be drastic, either. It’s not like addiction, where certain things need to be eliminated in order to progress. Often, just subtle changes can be enough to break up a routine or to give it new life.
Many will incorporate new habits that can be extremely small but provide huge benefits. An expert on these things was the late Dr Michael Mosley, who released a book and podcast called “Just One Thing”. Although his book was about providing tips and techniques to enhance our lives, they were small things that could be incorporated as part of a routine. He used the ideology of turning these things into habits, as they would become easier to do and help keep things interesting.
He recommended exercising in the morning, eating certain superfoods, writing things down before bed, and even taking a midday nap to help you reset for the afternoon/evening. There are many other ways in which you could look to change your routine with other habits that can benefit you positively, such as playing video games, going for a walk, or even changing your ringtone. Using a motivational ringtone can help brighten up a person’s mood and day when they hear it go off, even if they don’t want to take the phone call.
What impact can minor habits have on our routines once implemented?
If you’re able to incorporate just one minor new habit into your routine, it will immediately feel different. It will also potentially feel more positive as you’re doing some new, breaking up what was regular.
While it might not be enough to spice up an individual’s life, it can make things less rigid and potentially boring. A minor habit can add excitement to a routine, making it something possible to look forward to. It can help to reduce the likelihood of boredom. It could also allow you to learn something new and increase your own personal skills.
Is it easy to add a minor habit to your routine?
Change may come more easily than others, depending on the type of person you are and your personality. Not everyone likes change, which is why so many are stuck in the circle of a familiar routine each day.
Indeed, it becomes very easy to copy the same thing if it works and doesn’t provide any issues. Some may also find that time isn’t always forgiving, as they may only have time for work, dinner, and bed because they are so busy. Others may not be comfortable with change for various reasons.
Ironically, getting into a routine with the habit is going to be the hardest part of the challenge. It can be difficult to keep up at something that is new when already fixed in your ways. However, if the new activity (whatever is chosen) is tried out a handful of times consistently, it will gradually become a habit. The best way to ensure it does is to do something interesting enough to keep you occupied. If it is mundane or you have no interest in it, then it will be harder to keep it up.
End Words
Remember, habits don’t have to be big in nature; they can be extremely small. They can also be almost anything that you want them to be. As long as you can incorporate it into your routine, they can have an influential impact.