Do you follow a routine?

[Lamb]

I've always had a huge problem making and sticking to a schduele. Maybe it's a question of motivation, discipline, and lacking focus- don't really know. If there's something that involves going out, I feel as if I have to prepare for it.

Using planners hasn't worked. To do lists are never completed. It's not like I stack a grocery list of tasks on them either. Is there anything specific you do to achieve more in your day or stay on task? Suggestions appreciated!

 

[Hellhound]

My routine makes it feel as if I was living the same day everyday. If said repetitive cycle breaks, I panic.

I can't really offer any advice because I've never done anything different, ever :/

 

[ImNotMyIllness]

Thanks for posting this! That's my problem too. At a job, I can stay focused and get things done. But, in my life, I can't keep to a schedule. There are so many things I need to do. I need a routine as well.
I need to create a plan to jump start my life. I heard there are websites devoted to this but I've never used any of them before.

...I was thinking of putting something together in Excel with benchmarks etc. Ugh. I suck at this!

 

[Lamb]

Thanks for posting this! That's my problem too. At a job, I can stay focused and get things done. But, in my life, I can't keep to a schedule. There are so many things I need to do. I need a routine as well.
I need to create a plan to jump start my life. I heard there are websites devoted to this but I've never used any of them before.

...I was thinking of putting something together in Excel with benchmarks etc. Ugh. I suck at this!

Really? I wouldn't have guessed you had the same problem. I'm thinking about searching for a life coach.

 

[ImNotMyIllness]

Really? I wouldn't have guessed you had the same problem. I'm thinking about searching for a life coach.

Thanks for the compliment. I'm very motivated and ambitious but a HUGE dreamer and more of the creative type. I have thousands of thoughts racing through my head and it's easy for me to get lost in them. Not to mention, when I'm hurt, I can be very melancholic.

I need a life coach too. Someone to keep me focused on the big pictures AS WELL as ALL the little steps needed to achieve my goals. Ironically, I probably would be able to offer someone else an excellent plan and advice, but why can't I do it for myself??! I suddenly become stupid!

 

[theslowesthand]

If there's something that involves going out, I feel as if I have to prepare for it

Same here. I think having a set routine for going out, reduces the stress/anxiety considerably (as less "chaos").

Using planners hasn't worked. To do lists are never completed

Lol, tell me about it. I've been struggling with being organized for about 20 years now. Never have i ever reached a point where i'm even adequately satisfied with my organization. Always far from perfect. Always many things lacking. It's frustrating & disappointing, as i've put 100's hours into it over the years. Now i am using a kind of combo system - timetable program (which i barely am following), daily reminders (on pc), prioritized daily to-do list (but is same for every day). Seems not far off from being satisfactory, almost there now; but like my life, it'll probably never be "acceptable".

The saying goes that succesful habits are at the root of a success life. I've got plenty of habits and routine .. i must not have the right ones...

 

[Lamb]

Same here. I think having a set routine for going out, reduces the stress/anxiety considerably (as less "chaos").


Lol, tell me about it. I've been struggling with being organized for about 20 years now. Never have i ever reached a point where i'm even adequately satisfied with my organization. Always far from perfect. Always many things lacking. It's frustrating & disappointing, as i've put 100's hours into it over the years. Now i am using a kind of combo system - timetable program (which i barely am following), daily reminders (on pc), prioritized daily to-do list (but is same for every day). Seems not far off from being satisfactory, almost there now; but like my life, it'll probably never be "acceptable".

The saying goes that succesful habits are at the root of a success life. I've got plenty of habits and routine .. i must not have the right ones...

What is the timetable program? My daily to do list are pretty much the same every day as well. I even use "neon" colored sticky notes because I think it'll encourage me and stand out more. (I know, weird- and they don't help!)

I have all the routines that get me nowhere.

 

[jaim38]

My life is a routine. I wake up and do the same things every day before going to bed. I like routines because they keep me focused and motivated. I prefer predictability over chaos.

 

[WishingICould]

Wake up, go to work, daydream for most of the day/worry about everything, go home, have dinner, go on my laptop/watch tv, go to bed. Repeat.

 

[theslowesthand]

What is the timetable program?

I use this program that came with my old palm PDA, called "Palm Desktop". Really it's just a syncronizing program, to sync & backup your PDA data, but it just also happens to be a pretty darn good Windows organization application as well! (which is what i use it for). I did look for other timetable apps, but couldn't find any decent (& free) ones, after which i realized i had one already

 

[selon]

One thing that really helped me is make a dream book! Not the last night's dream/nightmare kind but the what I really want for my life dream book. Its a great way of remembering what you actually want to achieve and helps you to forget some of the day-to-day frustrations by looking at the overall picture. Just looking at it makes me feel better (which is why I do it everyday) :bigsmile:

 

[mikebird]

My routine is in limbo

No weekly cycle with a weekend to follow. Weekend is by far the worst.

24 hours give me enough organised to get in and out of the place. It has been worse

Having 5 days to be busy makes all the difference to life. I feel terrible for anyone who might not have had this. I assume we all had school. I was lucky to have slight work as a student, delivering pizza - I think all weekend and nights. That feeling to earn money switched on the life light for me. I just can't understand why I'm unemployed now. Maybe it's complicated.

Waking up to someone and watch her soundly asleep is the real magic I miss.

I am up about 7 or 8 every morning and it has been worse. Maybe it's the invisible antidepressants that give me good sleep. Each day is different and gives me plenty to do. I hate my dependency on TV. That is completely different for a busy week, getting home at 20:00, in a rush to make food and hit the pillows.

More reliant on gym routine than TV. Takes a bit of soul motivation to get me going, at least twice a week, given appointments, meetings, etc. I know well than any morning dwelling on thoughts... I know very well that every day with heavy exercise makes a better day and week. I can rest for the following day(s) because I know many parts of my body will hurt for a while

I grieve that my situation may get seriously worse; I may be told to move out, and let my mortgage lender have my place

 

[WishingICould]

One thing that really helped me is make a dream book! Not the last night's dream/nightmare kind but the what I really want for my life dream book. Its a great way of remembering what you actually want to achieve and helps you to forget some of the day-to-day frustrations by looking at the overall picture. Just looking at it makes me feel better (which is why I do it everyday) :bigsmile:

I might try that.

 

[theslowesthand]

I'm gonna try that also. Could be a crucial part of my organization/success arsenal that i have been lacking???

 

[GarryU]

yes, and it makes me really mad when I have to change it!

 

[freesix88]

I follow routines all the time. OCD meter [StARt-------------------------STOP SYSTEM FAILURE] even my meter can't see it.

 

[selon]

I'm gonna try that also. Could be a crucial part of my organization/success arsenal that i have been lacking???

It surely was in my case

What I'm working on now is to get up early every morning and start doing stuff even when I don't have classes! Screw you procrastination! :bat:

 

[JustWannaLove]

My life is a routine. I wake up and do the same things every day before going to bed. I like routines because they keep me focused and motivated. I prefer predictability over chaos.

i like having plans for the day even weekly objectives. or i won't get up, i won't know what the day will bring, and that worries me. i plan every detail. from showering, brushing teeth, breakfast to the activities i will do like draw or TV or write. it took me a long time to finally achieve a stable morning and night routine. but i got there in the end with some hard work and persistence.
i don't always achieve everything i plan on my to-do lists, but if i get one thing done at least, it wasn't such a waste of time.

Wake up, go to work, daydream for most of the day/worry about everything, go home, have dinner, go on my laptop/watch tv, go to bed. Repeat.

i make plans to keep me busy all day at work so i don't have to talk much, but only when i need to. being busy takes my mind off things as i am more focused on the task i am doing. It also gives me a good excuse to be quiet.

 

[Fobic]

Yes I try to follow a routine.

In general I think that is good for me , but sometimes it can be really boring do the same things every day :idontknow: