There are many benefits of incorporating routines into your life, both personally and professionally.  Benefits we frequently cite relate to reducing stress and worry about forgetting things and having things fall through the cracks.  Reliable routines fill in those cracks and help you move through your day more relaxed and confident.

Another benefit of routines is that they help you stay focused so you can get more done in less time.  A good routine guides you from one step to the next so you get where you need to go in the most effective way possible.  You don’t waste time skipping steps and having to go back or waste time trying to figure out what you should do next.  A routine focuses your time and energy so you can move effectively through your day.  Reducing stress and anxiety and increasing productivity and effectiveness are key reasons to adopt organized routines.

Despite all of the benefits, some people struggle with maintaining routines over time. Even when a routine continues to be useful, boredom can set in and derail your success.  This is particularly true for adults and children with ADD.  Here are some ways to combat boredom so that you can continue to be successful using organized routines.

1. Acknowledge that boredom is a possibility.  Our brains are very responsive to things that are new and novel. This keeps us curious, entertained and motivated.  Routines over time, even as they continue to work, will lose a sense of novelty and fun.  For some people this may happen more quickly than for others.  Knowing that boredom may set in and prevent you from sticking to a routine will help keep you alert to when that starts to happen and should cue you to make changes.  When boredom is a factor keep in mind that it’s not the routine that doesn’t work and it’s not that your aren’t capable of sticking to a routine.  It’s just time to address boredom.

2.  Refresh tired routines.  Periodically review your various routines (start of day, end of day, housecleaning, self-care, etc.).  Consider what’s working.  Consider ways to refresh they way you move through the routines.  For example, say you have an end of day routine in your office where you spend a few minutes cleaning off your desk and a few more minutes reviewing your calendar and prioritizing your task list for the next day.  This is an important and valuable routine.  It significantly improves your success for the next day.  Instead of bailing on the routine when it starts to feel tired and boring, liven it up.  Refresh the routine by standing up.  Refresh the routine by adding lively music.

Some routines lend themselves better to a complete change of scenery.  For example, a monthly routine for reviewing your goals and planning for the following month.  If you typically do this in your office, consider changing your location from time to time.  The change of scenery may help you keep to the routine and be inspiring in ways you didn’t imagine.

Finally, consider the catalyst of changing sessions.  Refresh your exercise routine seasonally to take advantage of being outside or inside or engaging in different sports.  Keep the routine and liven it up with something new.

3.  Acknowledge that no solution is likely to be permanent.  A morning routine that works well now may not in the future.  Sometimes we find a solution to a problem and step back saying, “There, problem solved!”  Rarely is a solution permanent as needs and circumstances continue to change.  Considering a solution to be permanent can prevent you from recognizing when the solution no longer serves you well.  Recognizing that a solution is one that works now and may not in the future keeps you open to making changes as needed.

Last words: Routines play a key role in being organized and productive.  Boredom may prevent you from sticking to good routines.  Periodically tweaking and refreshing your routines may help you stick too them and allow them to continue to serve you well.  Caveat: Avoid frequently overhauling your routines.  This prevents them from truly becoming routine and prevents you from benefiting from the advantages they offer.

Other resources to help you adopt and benefit from organizational and productive routines:

• Organized Routines will Allow you to be More Spontaneous
• Conduct an End of Day Routine to Get More Done
• Make Routines Productive