A Routine Failure?

             A routine is where progress meets death. Now, don't go and cancel those morning alarms yet. Let's dive deeper into this subject first. We have multiple routines in life. Bedtime, the time we get up and when we prefer to eat these things usually follow some sort of pattern. The time of day we prefer to shower and the frequency we like to do so. Again another pattern. Where we like to grocery shop and the days we usually go. Another pattern. 
            I am not trying to say these are bad things. But, if you are trying to make a change in life things like after work activities, eating habits, drinking habits even social media usage or watching television can work against us. I once dated someone who told me she wished she had more time for reading. She was off weekends and after work consisted of dinner with her family, time with her son and watching television. She had the time to read, but she never made it a priority. 
            I had a friend who would constantly say he was going to have the body of a God and wanted to be a ripped as Thor. His after work activity involved lots of late nights and usually large amounts of alcohol. He had the ability to make that statement a reality. But his routines never made time for it to become his reality. 
            One of my weaknesses is to put things off for later. It is a dangerous game as many things can come due at once. I am exhausted tonight. But after dinner, I washed all of my dishes in the sink instead of creating enough to load the dishwasher. I still needed to make and pack lunch for tomorrow. I had an internal struggle of wanting to go downstairs and relax. On the other hand, if I made lunch now, I had the rest of the evening to relax. I opted for that option. While it required more effort, right now it removed the burden of having to think about it all night.

            Making life changes is usually not a flip of the switch adventure. But small changes that are made consciously are a huge help that add up to building the life you want. Just like putting an address into Google Maps helps you get where you want to go. Having a plan makes goals more reachable.  

            I am not an amazing artist, but this is my three-year vision board. I made it when a few of us were working on the Pocket Life Coach book. I truthfully have not finished that book. But I will say the start of it helped me be better at setting goals. I can't say all the goals on this vision board are relevant anymore. But I will say it helps to have tangible goals and know the steps to complete them.  Having a conversation with yourself about what you are really wanting to accomplish is the first step. 

            Figuring out where you want to end up and working it backwards to figure out the steps could help you. I can give you a 100% sure fire way to not get anywhere. I have never bettered my life by bitching about it. My life is just the same no matter how much I vent or to who I vent. I would often ask Jeff when we were conversing if we were bitching, planning or making a plan of action when talking. This helped me know how involved to be in presenting solutions. Truthfully, this is a tool you can use on yourself when you get caught in reoccurring thoughts.  

             Big changes are the end result of small steps. 

Small steps take planning. Becoming present with your day-to-day life and shutting off autopilot will help with the changes you want to make. It is as easy as hitting pause and asking if what you are doing presently jives with what you want to accomplish.

            Pretty much anyone who knows me, knows that I struggle with weight loss. I am currently 8.5 lbs down. This happened by becoming aware of my eating habits and playing an active role in them again. When I go food shopping or even ponder a fast food meal, I hit pause and have that conversation with myself. Is this in alignment with what I am trying to accomplish?

            My former personal trainer reminded me that bad days happen. It is true they will. We will back slide, we will lose ground. We will make mistakes. But tomorrow is a new day, and throwing out progress over one single bad day is as stupid as it sounds when you take a moment to ponder it.

            So, have a conversation with yourself. Decide what's actually important to you. Figure out the steps needed to make that goal a reality. Then you have to keep tabs on that goal. You need to think about it often. You also need to take a long hard look at those routines you have built that won't get you where you want to go. Furthermore, you need to get off autopilot and start making conscious choices every day. I won't tell you all the choices are easy. I also won't tell all the choices are hard. But it will take work and dedication. So are you ready to make a goal into your reality?       

Bishop :(: