When I
returned to my job after the maternity leave, almost three years ago, I've
woken up in the morning at the same hour everyday and did the same things
before leaving to work. It was so mechanic, that when I sat in the car and took
a look at the clock, its always the same hour: 7:17am. Uau!! I was so happy,
because that means that my plans for that day would had a big chance to be
successful.
Now, my
office is my home, as I've been working as a freelance journalist. As well as
in Brazil, I usually have a routine in the morning, not only for me but also
for my daughter. Kids need routine, it makes them more self-confident, for they
know what comes next.
Have a
routine is good. Routine gives to you the organization feel. The problem is
when something different happens. When something changes your routine and you
don’t know how to manage that situation. Until I have consolidated my routine
here in Houston I used to be upset when things like this happened with me.
Now
I learn how to manage my schedule when the unexpected arises. Also I learn how
to manage my anxiety about how I would finish my activities that day. I’ve
began to give myself more flexibility. Now I know that in the end everything is
going to be fine, sometimes not in the way we had planned.
I collected
some advice about how to break the chain that keeps us stuck to routine. What
do you think to try one of these?
- · Give you more flexibility.
- · Open up the possibility to adjust your activities to your moods.
- · Change the times you do things.
- · Change your way to work.
- · Change your eating schedule.
- · Stop making wrong comparisons
- · Go somewhere new every once in a while
- · Cook something new every week.
