Building Routines

I have a lot of goals in life.  There is a plethora of activities and interests that I want to pursue. Finding time to follow these pursuits is very difficult.

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I have learned how to make time for some of them:  build it into my routine.

Now, this is not a new idea.  In fact, I believe I first started thinking about routines when I signed up for Flylady.net.

Why yes, I am a flybaby, thank you very much!

Flylady teaches organizational concepts starting newbies out with building  simple night time and morning routines.

I began my routines years ago and as time marches on, I have learned to add things onto my to-do list.

Just couldn't remember ...

For example, I could never never take vitamins or any kind or medications regularly.  I would do good for a day or two and then just forget about it.

I tried everything to make me remember to take vitamins - posting notes on my fridge, my bathroom mirror, even putting the bottle smack dab in the middle of the table next to my alarm clock.  I ended up with a dusty bottle blemishing my decor!

Building into your routine ...

Nothing worked until I built into my getting-ready-routine taking vitamins and sinus meds while putting on my makeup.  I keep the bottles with my makeup and I hardly miss a day now.

Then came the decision to exercise and get healthy.  The problem was finding time to exercise.  I tried after dinner, but it was hard to exercise on a full stomach.  Before dinner exercising just meant dinner was served later in the evening.  It's not good to eat late in the evening...

Just make a decision ..

One day, I just made a decision.  Exercising must be done.  No excuses, so I added exercising to my getting up routine. Yes, I did have to get up an hour earlier, but it is totally worth it. Besides, I'm a morning person.

They say it takes 21 days to make a new habit.  I'm on my 14th week.  Hello!  That is 98 days of moving and sweating!   I think I can say now that I habitually exercise.

The possibilities of accomplishing more are endless when you add habits to your routines.

You could add counting the gifts God has given you each day to your bedtime routine.  Go to sleep smiling about how blessed you really are.

What do you think?  Is there something you really want to do that could be added to your routine in order to be sure you do it each day?

I'm linking this post to the Titus 2sdays community.  Learning to be more productive is a goal of every home keeper and I'm delighted to share what I know works.