How to Set a Daily Routine and Stick to It

One thing we all struggle with is coming up with a workable daily routine. This is like the "Holy Grail" of time management. Some people would even go so far as to say that you couldn't be successful without one.

This article will cover the basics of how to set a daily routine and stick to it along with some mistakes concerning creating daily routines that I've coached people successfully through.

Be Flexible

Realize that just because it's best for you to exercise on Monday at 9 am that same time may not work on Tuesday...or any other day for that matter. But that's ok, it works for Monday.

Also, what I personally do is make sure I have a buffer time in the evening in case something came up during the day and I didn't get everything done that I needed to. I know a routine is...by its very definition...pretty set, but, let's face it, sometimes things come up that are out of our control... a kid sick or a car in the shop, to name just a couple.

So, if I stayed up late Monday night working and sleep in Tuesday morning and miss my exercise time, I have that buffer that evening when I could make it up.

Mistakes

I've known of people who didn't exercise because they couldn't fit it every day into their schedule at the same time. They actually went weeks without exercising until I sat them down and got out a good old fashioned planner and we scheduled every day. One day it may be in the morning, a couple of days in the afternoon, and a couple of days in the evening.

Be Realistic

Don't underestimate how much time you'll need to do a task. Overestimating is better, but best is to be close.

Mistakes

I've seen people have trouble filling in those time slots in a daily planner because they feel they'd be too rushed. They look at each slot filled and feel like their whole day was filled. Well...News Flash!...it already is filled whether on paper or not. You are doing something every minute that you're breathing. It's just so much cooler when you are in charge...when you're actually planning...what's filling those hours.

For instance, I love to read. It used to be that I wouldn't schedule time to read...I'd feel guilty. But, trust me, I found time to read. Now, I realize that I'm important too. Not just the stuff I do, but the stuff I want to do.

So with Those Two Criteria

Go! Create something that works for you...a daily routine that will suit your life. Remember that each day doesn't have to be the same. Heck, each week doesn't have to be the same. It just has to be functional.

Are you ready to begin managing your time better? Download my free ebook about Time Management for some wonderful ideas. Also visit me at There Must Be A Better Way