How changing your routine can boost your productivity, creativity and wellbeing.
The psychology of routines
Routines are important, they can give us a sense of predictability. I like to wake up at the same time every day (whether it’s the weekend or not!), and I go to bed at a similar time too (not last night though, as I was out gallivanting!), and I have routines for all sorts of aspects of my life. I find a routine can be comforting plus it gives me some stability and a sense of control in what can sometimes be a stressful existence!
However, one of the downsides of routines is that time can feel like it’s slipping through our fingers. We’re not being intentional about the time we have, and therefore it can feel like it doesn’t exist. If we’re going through the motions… work, eat, scroll, sleep, repeat… life can become pretty boring and our enthusiasm can start to wane. I for one am a life lover! I know that our time is precious (if you haven’t read my story, you’ll find it here) and I want to make the most of the time that I do have.
Time perception
Unlike clock time, the time you directly experience isn’t steady and constant. It’s continually being influenced and distorted by a huge variety of factors linked to the three mechanisms - attention, memory and anticipation. But attention is the most important. So if we attend to time at the present moment, time slows down.
But if we are distracted from time and we don’t attend to it, and time speeds on very quickly. This could be something positive though - for example, we could be lost in an engaging conversation, or a brilliant movie (hit me up in my Instagram DMs to find out what my favourite film is!). But, it could be that we are distracted from time because we are caught up in our daily routines and our brain goes into auto-pilot.
Embracing change in our daily routine
If we can change up our routine, even slightly, we can stimulate our brain. This can help increase focus and productivity, and even creativity and innovative thinking. It was long believed that our brains were hard wired, but there is a property of the brain called neuroplasticity which essentially means that the brain can rewire itself. My mindfulness teacher has shared that it takes just 8 weeks of mindfulness to rewire your brain, which I find fascinating!
Tips to change your routine
So, if you’re ready to make some changes and break free from the monotony, have a read of these tips to get your started:
Firstly, start small. You don’t need to overhaul all your routines overnight. Start with a small adjustment, and then gradually progress from there.
Can you try something new? I love trying new activities or cafes/restaurants as a way of shaking things up a little. As a small business owner, it’s nice to sometimes have a change of scenery other than my home office… so I’ll take myself out to a café with my laptop.
Make sure that you’re scheduling breaks in your day. It’s amazing what a few moment outside, or a quick jaunt round the block can do for my energy levels.
Adopt the mindset of a scientist. Regularly reflect on how you’re spending your time, and think about what’s working and what isn’t. Make tweaks, to your routine(s) and then continue to assess.
What next?
If you’d like some support with your time management, working with a coach will provide you with personalised strategies to optimise your time, regain control of your schedule and create a more harmonious and fulfilling life.
Are you ready to get more time for the things that really matter?
I currently have space for 1-to-1 coaching clients; find out more here.