With the rush, rush, rush everyone seems to be in, it is hard to find that “me” time we all crave for, those minutes that make us happy. But you know what? It is not the Holy Grail. There are plenty of people who not only get their stuff done, but also manage to find the time to do the things that they plan to do – could be anything from watching that movie, coffee with a friend, curling up in that cozy sofa and reading that book. You won’t hear them whining about the “too much to do – too little time”.
Each one of us has the same 24 hours in a day – we enjoy a guaranteed credit of $86,400 every day .
How do some people manage their time so well?
The secret is – setting a routine and following it.
I know there are people who scorn routine and classify it as “boring”. They think it kills spontaneity. Truth is, routine is an important ingredient of time management and facilitates it. I’ve learned this several times over. When I carry out our daily and weekly routines, it frees up time while ensuring regular tasks are executed automatically. My mind becomes free, helping me work efficiently.
For example, I now have a routine that involves waking up at 5.30 am, getting the coffee going and then, getting started on preparing breakfast, lunch and planning dinner. Since there is just the three of us, I plan this the day before – I have to, or else how would I have what I need to make everything? I enjoy cramming the cooking into the three hours I have in the morning before everyone leaves at 8 – and this frees up the morning for me to work without interruption. If I allow myself to think that I can tackle the cooking later, it eats into my work time and my entire schedule suffers.
The benefits of having a routine cannot be denied. Routines are known to:
- Contribute to our mental health – simply by lowering our stress levels.
- Give our days the foundation we need, so we can plan around them.
- Help us stay focused which means productive
Of course, it is important to be flexible so that any unexpected change can be handled with ease.
Incidentally, I would be the first to agree that some routines may not be beneficial – so sitting back and assessing them is necessary. What we do must be healthy, rewarding and meaningful. Why waste time on things that do not serve a purpose?
The whole idea behind a routine is to help us function smoothly so we don’t miss out on something important even as we make good use of our day.
I am a list person and I begin my day with the list I prepared last night. I try to allocate time to them by prioritizing everything. I try to figure out if I have to do it all myself – or can I outsource?
And I love my routine! If, at the end of the day, when I go to bed, I am satisfied with how the day went and find myself smiling, I am happy!
I know each one of us is different. So I’d like to ask:
Do you have a routine?
Do you enjoy it?
Do you find yourself catching up on missed things often?
18 comments
I have routines, though I do get a little rebellious sometimes and stray from them. I always feel better when I stick with them, though!
Laurel Regan recently posted…That ship has NOT sailed!
Laurel, I am pretty sure you must be well-organized – how else would you get everything done? And yes,it is actually good to slip up once in a while! 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…Family, Friends and Family Friends
Nice reading about your daily planned routine. I was always sure that you are very organised. It is always good to work in a planned manner. I used to be very organised before retirement. Now I am my own master. Now the schedule is not on hourly basis. I decide in the morning what to do day to day.
Usha Menon recently posted…Pitiable condition of a young girl..
How sweet of you to say so, Mrs.Usha! Years of running on a tight schedule has helped me stick to a routine. Even as a little girl, my Mom encouraged me to make a “program for the day” and allocate time to each activity. It has stood me in good stead!
Thank you for dropping by!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Family, Friends and Family Friends
Of course, I have my routines!
Your post covers everything on the subject, so I won’t add more. Just one point: you have stated that “it is important to be flexible so that any unexpected change can be handled with ease.” I’d like to add that one should not get hassled if some routine is missed once in a while. A routine is a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Proactive Indian recently posted…WhatsApp, not WhatsCrap!
Thanks Pro! Yes, that’s what I meant by being “flexible” – when I miss something, I usually move on to the next item without stressing over it. 🙂 Keeps me healthy! The whole idea of a routine is to have direction and purpose!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Organ Donation. A Divine Intervention #WorldOrganDonationDay
I don’t have a routine yet, but I’m planning to soon, because without one, everything suffers – writing work, housework, family time, reading – everything!!
Fab recently posted…Review: Omved Daily Night Foot Oil
Lovely write up Vidya. I am guilty of that coz there are 1000 things to do in 24 hours which is not enough. Gotta borrow a cue on you how to make things happen more efficiently.
vishalbheeroo recently posted…In the name of God, losing my religion.
I don’t have a routine yet- especially because of my 24/7 office working hours. I’m set to making one though. Loved the pic! 🙂
Shalini recently posted…Chettinad Tomato Rasam
Routines never worked for me. If I plan something it’s likely to go wrong… so these days i tend to go with the flow… 🙂
Sheethal recently posted…If I were …
Hi Vidya,
Thanks for that great reminder about living our days well.
Interestingly each day arrives with about 14000+ minutes packed in it.And its known that if we invest even one percent of this time in study,thinking and planning our lives we would be living far more fulfilling days.That means just fourteen minutes of quiet thinking ,reflecting and planning.
Yet I’m inspired by that “wake up-be awesome-go back to sleep” thing of yours.
Thanks
Mona
richmiraclefiles recently posted…Fascinating Search;The Power Of Memories
Just recently I’ve been thinking about overhauling a few of my routines to strive for better balance. Your routine of cooking all of the meals in the morning would definitely be a major help in my household. It will also be a major transition for me, but a transition worth making.
Starting next week everyone goes back to school and work. That’s the perfect time for me to work on the morning cooking routine.
Thanks Vidya, for such a great idea!
Felicia recently posted…Back to the Drawing Board
You know, Felicia, when my Mom used to plan and work like clockwork (both of us were going out to work – she was a school teacher) I used to tease her for being so particular. Now I realize why she could afford to smile all the time. She’d keep telling me that there was no point planning to fail by failing to plan. Makes so much sense now. After I cook, I also finish the washing up, so I only need to make tea or coffee in the kitchen. After my husband and son return home from office/school – each one washes up after whatever they use. I send a prayer of gratitude to my Mom for showing me by example!
So happy to see you here. I’d love to know how the new routine works out for you!
I am loving your posts, you know. 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…Sand Art
Lol… That picture is cute. As for routines… Hurrah! for them. I am a complete routine person. In fact I need to practice flexibility. I absolutely hate it when I have a disruption and much of my day is thrown out of gear. I became a tad better when the twins came along.. Yeah they can mess up a routine like nobody else, yet I have a long way to go to not let change upset me so completely.
Obsessivemom recently posted…Independence Day at The Book Club
Hehe those racoons made me laugh. I agree that routines are pretty important for most people. I definitely thrive more when I have a somewhat set routine. I do not do well in chaos and stress. It helps me be more productive also : D. Now I need to go to take my medication because I keep forgetting to take it at the same time every day : /.
Sebastian Aiden Daniels recently posted…The Importance of the Word Timshel
Tell me about it Sebastian! Which reminds me, I gotta take my meds too. It is such a challenge for me to remember the “before food” medication. I’ve now set an alarm.
Vidya Sury recently posted…Routines, A Blessing
I LOVE routines. I do the best when I have one but sometimes feel resistant to keep it. You’ve inspired me to stick to it more! Thanks!
Melissa recently posted…More Great Results Using Energy Healing
“Very Good” if one is succeeded in maintaining his/her routines well, it shows that the soul is leading a disciplined / systematic life, and have a strong mind set to follow it. You have made it, great! May you inspire and be a role model for many, to settle in their life to lead a comfortable and lovely life, sharing every moment with the loved ones…..
But, in present days hectic life, wherein we live completely neglecting the Nature, which is influenced with many factors, and in which we don’t have control, such as power supply, water, health issues of self and family, transportation, unexpected rush in banks, other establishments, hospitals, so on… Unless until one is very flexible on their thoughts, meeting the target sets on routines will really add on anxiety to stressful life. The end truth is that even if we don’t follow and sets routines, the above issues create additional tensions, further baffle our disturbed mind and for few it leads to mood variations and results in depressions and various health issues. So, following a systematic routine life, as far as possible, will ease such situations and turn our days smooth… spreading Smiles on us and all around…..
My memories unfolding and connecting it to the days of our grandparents, who followed the Nature for their routines… They never missed to get up with the crowing call of cocks, ever witness the first rays of sun reflecting on dawn, listen to the chirping of humming birds.. and… they rush to start routines without setting targets, but, of course all ladies in the Kitchen sets their mind to meet the strict timely servings of breakfast, lunch, evening tea & snacks, dinner… so on… and in between welcoming the guests who appears suddenly at the entrance, without notice. All were always on their heels… drawing water from well, washing cloth manually, sweeping the house and large surroundings with broom, cooking with firewood and packing it on time for kids and others… But, on heavy rainy days they really struggle to fire the wet firewood, to dry up the wet cloth, washing of cloth in rain by standing under shade of a tree or covering their head with plastic sheet…… They always find time to have bath before having lunch and all of them sits around on wooden planks to enjoy the food, serving and caring each other, eats while talking on many issues related to families and neighborhood…. Those were the days, which had gone forever without target settings for routines… But they have had a clear vision and target on the age of their daughters/sons weddings… and in normal cases they never missed to achieve those targets…