I spoke to a client recently who complained that his life seemed like the movie, “Groundhog Day.” He felt like he was doing the same thing every day — stuck in a routine that he wasn’t enjoying anymore.
In one sense routine can be a good thing if you like predictability. It can help you exercise discipline to accomplish, or simply enjoy, what you want.
On the other hand, you may be missing opportunities, ideas or connections that can help you significantly in your business or career.
We are creatures of habit. The key is creating habits that allow you to create the life and work you want.
If you feel like you’re stuck in the same routine, here are some quick ideas to help you break the cycle, get moving and be more productive:
- Develop a new routine. Keep the parts of your routine that are working and change the rest. It may take some time for the new routine to stick.
- Establish some days that are more routine than others. For example, you might pick one day that demands discipline, and another that requires more creative or strategic thinking. One is structured while the other is more free flow.
- Make exposure to new ideas and people part of your routine. Invite someone to lunch that you don’t know well or see often. Attend a meeting or conference that would be “out of the norm” for you. Read a publication you don’t read regularly.
Constantly engaging with new people and ideas will stimulate your thinking and energize your work.
At work, keep your team from falling into unproductive routines that threaten results.
Shake up team meetings. Restructure your ordinary agenda.
Challenge your team to step up by generating new ideas or solutions to problems.
Whether you need to create more variety in your own life or work, commit to making the changes that will help you improve.
Sometimes you just need to take a break, but often you need to break your routine.
Either way, you’ll increase your chances of achieving breakthrough results!
What will you do to break your routine?