We know that routines are important. We teach our students routines so that our classes run more smoothly and efficiently. Routines are just as important when we are trying to develop new habits. You probably have some routines that you perform without thinking. Some of them are healthy and some probably not so much. One routine that saves me time in the morning is my before bed routine.
Now that the winter break is over, I’m going to tweak my before bed routine to support my new exercise habit. There are a number of simple tasks that seem to take twice as long if done first thing in the morning. For example, I can pick out an outfit in the evening in a matter of seconds. However, if I try to do this in the morning as I’m getting ready for school, it takes me 3 or 4 minutes of staring, pulling things off the rack, and changing my mind several times. I bought a plastic valet hook to hang on my closet door for my bathrobe. It performs double-duty and holds my work outfit. I also purchased a cheap soap dish that matches my bathroom decor to put the earrings I wear most often.
Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash
New Routine
- Prep coffee pot and set timer
- Set out workout clothes, shoes, etc. in bathroom
- Pick out tomorrow’s work outfit, shoes, jewelry
- Make lunch for work
- Prepare healthy to-go breakfast
- Fill water bottle
- Check alarms for the morning
My goal is to be more fit for my cruise this summer. I want to be able to walk anywhere I want to for as long as I want to. Fitting into a smaller size would be nice as well. This new routine will help me to be prepared for daily exercise which will help me to reach my goal. What is your goal? Decide today to create your own routine to help you achieve your goal.