ROUTINE: How It Leads To Greater Freedom

When we talk about having more freedom in our lives, we often focus on being financially secure and having a flexible, engaging job, or the chance to work less. However, freedom is a broad term, and we can achieve different layers of it, in different ways.

When we think of ‘routine,’ initially, we think of things being restricted and rigid, or following someone else’s rules or timeline. However, the reality is quite the opposite. Bringing routine to your life can actually create space, calm, control, and more freedom as a result.

How? Well, it isn’t as much work as you may think, and once you start creating more habits in your life, you’ll find that not having structure is the more mentally, emotionally, and physically draining option. To quote personal development guru Brian Tracy, “Good habits are hard to form, but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to form, but hard to live with.”

Here’s what you need to know about establishing a positive daily routine to give you more freedom.

Create what works for you

Be aware that a personal routine is just that; personal. Create day-to-day habits that work for your lifestyle, your family and other commitments. Don’t read about the routines of famous people and think you have to follow suit.

It’s more important to schedule tasks based on when you have the most energy and clarity each day, and when you don’t. Decide on a routine that helps you to be your best and most productive and happy self.

Routine works better than willpower

To maximise your days, it helps to have good willpower so you do the tasks you may not want to do or feel like doing. However, studies have shown that willpower is a finite resource that runs out as the day goes on. This is where having a routine comes to the rescue.

Once you’ve gotten used to a new routine, you’ll start doing things without having to think too much about them, or having to force yourself to get started. Routines tell your brain what’s expected of it, and send messages about what needs to come next. This reduces decision fatigue and the stress and lack of motivation that so often gets in the way of taking action.

In turn, you expend less effort. You’re more likely to have time each week for what matters to you, and you will find it easier to get into the helpful “flow” state, too, for greater productivity.

Simplify your life and reduce stress

Another benefit of having routines is that they can simplify life. Use routines to tackle complex situations and to deal with an overwhelming workload. Plus, keep in mind that scheduling your week, with time not just for actual tasks but also for planning, thinking, strategising, meditating, deep breathing, journaling, exercising, eating well, decompressing with relaxing activities, and the like will help you to combat stress and feel better.

This is particularly important for people who battle anxiety. If you get into a routine whereby you check in with yourself at a certain point (or two or three) each day to see what you’re worrying about and then address it, things won’t build up so much. Furthermore, developing a specific bedtime routine has been proven to help those who suffer from insomnia to go to sleep and rest more effectively.

Improve skills

Another reason to start putting routines in place is that doing so means you’ll be practicing different skills on a more regular basis. If you want to build skills in any area, task repetition is required, and having a schedule for doing this each week is key. After all, as Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Create a positive routine and you will build momentum and move forward, achieving your goals more quickly.

Boost self-confidence

All of this means that your selfconfidence should increase. When you know you’re getting more done each day, feel better, and have more energy, are improving skills and reaching goals more quickly, you will feel better about yourself and your abilities. You’ll also know that when more challenging periods arise, you’ll be able to handle them.