Ask Alexis: How do You Maintain a Routine?

I had fun answering your questions when it comes to Ask Alexis, it encourages me to stay focused on these and also it encourages me to learn something new. It also encourages you all to learn from yourself. So here is another Ask Alexis. Here’s what one of my readers had to say…

Hi Alexis!  How would you maintain a routine and if you have fallen off track how do you get yourself back to that routine? What to do and how to maintain it?  

It is always challenging to even start a routine and stick to it. When I start a routine, I always find myself not doing it anymore. But I learned that we do need a routine. So the start of the new year, I decided to start having a routine, I will write down what I need to do before the next day and I go from there. I like to go in order, and sometimes I find myself off the bandwagon, cause I would end up going backwards. There are a couple of things that come to mind when I think about having a routine and trying to maintain it, starting with setting clear goals.  Setting goals helps out a lot when trying to do a routine, goals and routine are everything. I set a lot of goals over the years,  some I had to change, and some didn’t fit me so well, so I got rid of them. There are short and long-term goals, sometimes you have to break them up and some might not fit into what you are trying to do. Also plan what you are heading, going from limb to limb doesn’t always work. I plan ahead and sometimes I have to fall back because the plan I plan could be for the weeks ahead and I have to go back and validate what I am trying to do. 

Now let’s talk about Creating a schedule. Not only does setting a schedule help you, it also saves you time for the weeks to come. I know when comes to scheduling, I know I am pretty set when it comes to a routine because I have everything written down. When it comes to scheduling, it comes with a morning and evening. I will schedule everything that goes into them, I also schedule the in-betweens, because we all have them. 

Lastly, be realistic. This is a no-brainer, we all have to be realistic when it comes to maintaining a routine. It going to be hard, but sometimes we have to. It is part of life and it is part of us. I want to be able to make an achievable routine and pat myself on the back when I do something. I want to be able to be flexible and I would like my routine to be managementable. I would like to be able to reflect on that goal and be proud of it. If it is about sacrifices, well if they need to be broken and be forgotten about, let it be. We all have, to reach our goals and maintain a routine. If it not going to be on the schedule and if it doesn't fit, then it has no place in your life. 

How do you keep yourself in a routine? 

I’d love to hear your advice in the comments. 

xoxo Alexis