The concept of optimized productivity is becoming more and more prevalent everywhere we look. The questions “How can we do this more efficiently?” or “How can I use my time best?” point to our desire to utilize our most precious resource effectively: time.
Time is an interesting concept. In almost everything we have the ability to earn it back once it’s been lost (finances, friendships, skills); but with time, this is not possible. The reality is that once we use a moment of time, it’s gone forever.
That being said, I believe most people truly desire to make the most of the time they have. I want to explore a topic that has been particularly helpful to me on my journey in regards to productivity: routine.
Why is Routine Important?
Our brains have only so much capacity for making informed decisions. This is why we see people like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs with the same outfits every day. When we reduce the number of options or decisions we make early in our day, we can save our mental energy and decision-making ability for more significant decisions. Some daily decisions this can apply to are:
- What time you decide to wake up
- What you eat for breakfast
- How (or whether) you exercise that day
Routine provides mental support for tasks we perform every day. It automates the parts of life that we find ourselves doing every day or even every week. Routine ensures that progress is made on a daily basis toward our personal goals. The process is effective and efficient at guiding us toward meeting those goals.
By packaging a few tasks within a daily routine, we create self-accountability to make sure progress is made toward our goal. If you provide yourself with a reward as part of the routine package, (cup of coffee, relaxing bath, etc.) it will motivate you to complete and continue performing the routine.
Understand your rhythms
Your circadian rhythm is what governs your cycle of sleep and wake. This internal, 24-hour, biological clock functions in a consistent and predictable manner. Knowing our daily cycles can help us to place tasks on our time schedules for optimal performance.
Within the 24-hour energy cycle, there are different stages of sleep and wake states. In our sleep-state, we have both REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non-REM) stages that cycle throughout the night. There are 3 main stages while we are awake: Peak, Trough, Recovery.
The Peak stage occurs in the morning for most people. This is where cellular energy and mental clarity are at their highest. This is the stage researchers recommend accomplishing your most difficult and taxing analytical work within.
The Trough stage is the mid-afternoon slump, responsible for the nap-after-lunch feeling most people experience. During this stage, it is recommended to complete the tasks that are not mentally intensive (checking email, site maintenance, etc.).
The Recovery stage takes place during the late-afternoon to evening for most people. During this stage, your energy has picked up a bit since the Trough and your mood has noticeable improvements. Researchers conclude that creative work is best accomplished in this period of our wake cycle due to the elevated mood and refreshed levels of energy.
But what about those who we label ‘Night Owls’? About 20% of the population posses an evening chronotype – a cycle type where the start of sleep occurs later in the night (even into early morning) and the stages during the wake-state are reversed (Recovery – Trough – Peak).
People fall all along the spectrum between both chronotypes. For the best performance, it’s important that we understand our circadian rhythms and build custom routines that use our energy cycle to our advantage.
More Reading – When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
What Routines should you have?
You should routinize the areas in your life that occur every day. This way, you can be productive in the repetitive things without utilizing much mental energy.
I personally have three daily routines that I do every day. One that I do every morning, another I do at lunch and the last before bed. I try to do these at the same time, in the same order, every day.
Morning Routine:
The purpose of my morning routine is to maintain positive and healthy inputs on a daily basis. I would recommend starting small, and building your routine in a way that works for you.
This includes:
- Drink Lemon Water
- Workout
- Read Scriptures / Journal / Pray
- Drink Coffee
- Small Breakfast
- Shower / Daily Hygiene
Midday Routine:
My midday routine is the break separating the two productive halves of my day, recharging me to be successful in my afternoons. Find out when your Trough time occurs and maximize this already limited-energy stage with routine.
My routine includes:
- Lunch
- Nap
- Walk with my wife
Evening Routine:
My end-of-day routine is three-fold, I want to complete the current day well, I want to prepare myself for sleep, and I want to prepare for the following day.
This includes:
- Daily Hygiene
- Prepare for Morning Routine
- Read an ink-and-paper book / Journal
- Pray with my wife
I give you my personal routine as an example. Routines can and should vary by person. I also give my goal for each routine. Feel free to use them as a foundation for creating your own routines.
Routines give us a structure in which to complete repetitive, but productive, tasks so that we can better perform when faced with new or substantial decisions.
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THANK YOU FOR READING, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
What routines do you have that allow you to perform at a higher level throughout the day?
What items do you do (or want to do) every day that you can pack into your routine?