We all have routines, whether we notice them or not. Each day, we wake up, shower, eat, brush our teeth, and head to work. As creatures of habit, our morning routines typically follow a familiar pattern. Deviations from our usual routines make us uneasy. But beyond these morning rituals lie deeper patterns of behaviour that guide us throughout our day.
Those are dynamic routines—patterns of behaviour that may go unnoticed by us but are often recognized by others. It might be surprising what your family, friends and colleagues say about how you act around them. This type of routine is difficult to notice if you are going through the motion of life but can easily be identified from the outside looking in.
However, with some self-reflection, you can attune yourself to these routines and begin recognizing these patterns. Taking time to consider how you respond in familiar situations can help you identify and understand these routines. These routines shape how you act around people, how you respond to familiar and unfamiliar environments, and how you react to uncertainty and ambiguity.
These dynamic routines were shaped early in life and now determine the outcomes you experience. They’re the foundation you build on every day, driving your success in both personal and professional realms. Pause and reflect on your actions in various situations. Ask yourself: How do I show up every day to be my best self? Am I on track, or have I veered off course?
We all veer off from time to time. No one is perfect on this earth. Obviously, the intent is to stay on track but for those mishaps, know when they happen is as important. The difference between people who are successful and unsuccessful is how far they veer off track and how quickly they can come back to their purpose.
A common scenario where people veer off track is during an extended illness, like a prolonged cold. We don’t have the energy to perform at the level we use to and reasonably we take the time to care for ourselves. The momentum is lost when we are no longer sick and we feel the sickness is still holding us back even though we are feeling better. We might stay in this funk for some time but we need to remind ourselves this is temporary and continue to work towards our purpose.
Having a purpose and being on track is hard work but tremendously rewarding. Being off track is easy but unrewarding. That’s why people stay there. It’s a free ride to death. At the end you’ll look back at your life and wonder what happened and how it went by so fast.
Some people don’t realize they’re off track, wandering aimlessly without purpose. To avoid this, it’s crucial to find your purpose, build your path, and know where you’re headed. Without a clear direction, it’s impossible to know whether you’ve veered off track.
It all begins with the present you. Equip yourself today so that you’re prepared to recognize the signs that you’re heading in the right direction. Prepare yourself by writing out what you want to accomplish. What type of person you want to be today and tomorrow? What type of routines would that entail? Refer to it every month if you need to and evaluate yourself.
The key is to recognize quickly when you’ve strayed off course, know your dynamic routines, allowing you to swiftly correct your path and continue progressing toward your best self.
Take care.