Run Your World
Are you running your world or is your world running you? Are you tired of being bullied by piles of laundry, grocery lists, and PTA meetings? When is the last time you sat down with a good book, exercised, or had quality time with your spouse? Life will run you—or you can run it. Let me reiterate a quote by leadership guru John Maxwell, “The secret to your success is hidden in your daily routine.” Success means different things to different people. For a new mom, success means getting to take a shower. For some it may mean finishing a college course or becoming stronger and healthier through exercise. However you define success, one word will move you towards it, and that word is routine.
There are three types of people when it comes to the word routine.
1. Those who thrive off of routine.
2. Those who despise routine.
3. Those who wish they could develop and keep a routine.
No matter how you feel about routine, the truth is routine creates habits. You probably already have a routine and habits, but you just don’t realize it. Our habits create the direction of our life.
The ability to create a good routine and good habits will move your life in a direction of change and productivity. For instance, there are most likely areas of your life that you would like to see change or you have goals and dreams that you would like to see come to pass. The desires of your heart should manifest in action. This can be an overwhelming thought for a busy woman. Many of us are at capacity with running errands, making dinner, carpooling to soccer practice, etc. All of these responsibilities eat our time. After all, twenty-four hours is twenty-four hours; that is not going to change. Trust me, I have tried to pull an all nighter cooking and cleaning to catch up to an out of control schedule and it just doesn’t work! Here’s a little secret, there are hidden hours in your day that you’re not using. With a little restructuring, some self-discipline, and lots of intentionality you can not only live a more productive life, but also start enjoying life!
Routine increases your capacity and multiplies your time.
A huge benefit of routine is it moves you in the direction of the person you were called to be. You do this by becoming this person one day at a time. We’ve all heard the phrase, “ You eat an elephant one bite at a time.” Routine alleviates the thought of sudden and drastic changes to accomplish new goals. Routine is the one bite at a time that is required to make progress. For example, maybe you want to study the Bible more, or exercise, or maybe you’re called to write. Making small adjustments to your routine will move you in the direction of your goal. Instead of feeling overwhelmed that you have to write a whole book in one day, start dedicating 15 minutes a day to writing. Don’t feel overwhelmed thinking you need to find an hour in your day to go to the gym in order to lose weight, start with a 15-minute daily walk. Before you realize it, the things that are important to you will be a part of your every day and you will see progress in those areas that have seemed so far off and impossible.
Tips for creating a routine:
Buy a planner or download a planning app.
Take time monthly, weekly, and daily to review your responsibilities and goals.
Resist the temptation to waste hours on social media or television.
Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier each week for a month to add morning hours to your day.
Create anchors in your schedule. Anchors are the things that are most important to you; make sure these things are added to your schedule first.
Create time in your schedule for intentional time with your kids and your spouse or for watching your favorite tv show.
Designate a time to answer emails, schedule appointments, and return calls.
Harvest wasted time - Listen to a podcast while driving or put on an audio book while folding laundry. This is time that is usually quiet and thoughtless so choose a book or podcast that will invest into you during these times.
Create a dump list - Write down the things that are on your mind to do and revisit this list the next time you are looking at your schedule
Start living on purpose! If you don’t take control of your time, it will control you! Whatever you do, be consistent! Remember, the elephant goes down one bite at a time and change happens one day at a time!
