I have been struggling to build a routine for a while now….a morning routine to be very specific. It is only after I consulted my close confidante about my struggles that I gave myself the permission to call it quits and work with what works best for me. You see, it is easy to get influenced into believing what books like the 5am club will tell us about establishing an early morning routine but, I have come to the realization that we are all different. While some will prefer to work with strict routines in place, others thrive on spontaneity and prefer to take a more flexible approach.
Having a routine is extremely helpful to achieving success in life, but that does not mean that we should be clustered within the same strict guidelines that have been documented and recommended to us over the generations. Provided we understand that even those who do not have a strict routine tend to have some sort of structure in place, then the best survival mechanism to ensure success is in setting up structures that work to support your habits and plans. For example, while mornings do not agree with me, my evenings tend to be quite productive.
Does this work for me, yes it does!
Is it recommended? Well, let’s just say that I am looking for successful people who abhor mornings like I do so that we can exchange notes.
In the meantime, the one piece of advice that keeps me going despite my unusual habits is the recognition that the best route to growth and success in life is in having a clear sense of direction.
To achieve success, we need to have clear goals and a defined sense of direction. Only then can we develop habits that will help us reach our desired destination. For example, if you want to become a CEO someday, internalizing this vision will mean developing the right habits that will help you as a leader. This clarity in direction leads to habits that are tailored towards the achievement of the goal otherwise that goal will be just but a dream.
What then do we need to do to ensure the habits we put in place yield positive fruits?
- Have clarity in your goals:
Goals give direction, which in turn gives purpose and motivation to push on. With direction, we can identify the actions that will be most beneficial to us and prioritize them accordingly. These actions are actualised through habits that guide us and help us to stay focused even when faced with obstacles or setbacks.
- Determine your positive set of habits:
We must acknowledge that we have all created differently. This means that our unique set of physical, emotional, and intellectual characteristics make us thrive in different circumstances. What is important therefore, is to ensure we develop habits that get us to thrive in the environment we find ourselves in.
If your positive habits means developing a morning routine, then work on that. And if your positive habit means establishing an evening routine, then take that on as your thing. Simply find your fit and develop the habits that will fuel you to keep pushing forward with your goals.
- Stay focused on your path towards success:
According to Jack LaLanne, “Progress is made where progress is measured.” Jack LaLanne. Measuring progress helps us identify areas of weakness and adjusting as necessary. To maintain focus, have regular self-check-in moments to evaluate if the developed habits are helping us move closer to our goals, and if not, what changes must be made.
Ultimately, the key to success lies in finding what works best for you. Whether that means having a structured routine or taking a more flexible approach, it’s important to identify your strengths and compliment that with a strategy and habits that allows you to achieve your goals more effectively.
Without direction, habits are just a collection of actions that may or may not lead to success.
Ascertain the habits that bring out the best in your day to day and #Standout4Growth.
