Introverts are creatures of habit.
But sometimes we take it too far.
Get too obsessive. Overthink. And force it.
Which is naturally followed by stress and anxiety.
And this becomes a cycle. The more we force it, the harder it gets.
Today I want to share with you a few tips that can help you effortlessly stick to a routine and hit your goals.
Let’s dive right in.
#1 Listen to your body
A routine is a time & effort management tool.
But the body has its own rhythm.
Like seasons, the body also changes.
It has its ups and downs.
It needs time to rest, repair, and re-align.
For example, if you go to the gym or walk everyday and some days you don’t feel like it, don’t go.
The resistance is a sign. If you force it, the resistance will keep increasing.
Just like stretching a rubber band. It has a limit. If you go too far, it will break.
We were hunters and gatherers. The only thing we did was hunt, eat, and sleep.
Our only priority was survival. And we did that for thousands of years.
Routine, on the other hand, is a product of the modern world.
Routines break when we don’t listen to our bodies.
Give it some downtime.
You’re a human with thoughts and feelings, not a machine.
And a day or two won’t make a difference.
#2 To stick with a routine, break it on purpose
This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s science.
The neuro-chemical dopamine gives you the motivation to do things.
But when it’s overused, we stop getting pleasure from the very things we love doing.
It’s like if you love eating cake, but if you start eating it everyday, you will not enjoy it that much.
The same goes for routines. If you overdo it, it gets boring.
Break them once in a while. And break them on purpose.
Decide to take a two-day break and do other things.
For example, if you journal everyday, don’t do it for a few days.
And you’ll notice when you get back to it, your mind will be full of new insights.
#3 Follow a routine that suits you
The biggest mistake people make is following routine advice.
Everyone is physically and mentally different.
Body cycles, mental health, and the environment you live in play a very important role in picking up a routine that suits you.
Haruki Murakami wakes up at 4 am, writes for 4 hours, and then goes for a 10-mile run.
J.K Rowling starts at 9.30 and continues till 3 pm.
Both are equally gifted and famous writers.
Following someone else’s routine is a recipe for disaster.
You can certainly experiment. If it works for you, great. But don’t force it on yourself.
Build your own.
Observe yourself. Emotions, thoughts and feelings.
Connect with your true yourself. (You can try my course ‘Awakening’ for it)
Notice what feels effortless. What feels like you. And follow that.
That’s all you need.
Stay blessed,
Master