Q: I spend a lot of time traveling. With conferences, sales presentations, and team gatherings, my daily life seems anything but stable. How can I harmonize my business demands with the serenity that comes from a well-structured routine?
A: During my initial days as a real estate professional in Bellingham, Washington, I often felt like life was racing ahead of me. Between marketing efforts, property showings, closing deals, parenting, enjoying nutritious meals, exercising, continuing education, and various other responsibilities, the notion of self-care seemed alien or altogether unattainable.
In my perspective, productivity doesn’t hinge on seamlessly blending every aspect of your life into a single, organized calendar. To be frank, that’s not just difficult; it’s unfeasible. Productivity revolves around being fully engaged with whatever task or priority you’re currently handling. Our capacity for concentration diminishes when we switch our focus every quarter-hour. Additionally, we can become unfocused if we set our expectations of ourselves too high. Therefore, before I share tips for incorporating routines into your daily life, I’d like you to take a moment to pause, close your eyes, and silently repeat this affirmation:
I am human. I am beautifully imperfect. Whatever actions I take or neglect today are more than sufficient.
Say it aloud. Write it down. Stick it to your bathroom mirror, your car dashboard, or even your smartwatch until it resonates with you.
Now, I’ve discovered several methods for weaving a routine into a relentlessly busy agenda. One effective strategy is to create micro routines. This approach is particularly beneficial for those who frequently travel and miss the comfort and familiarity of home. Micro routines consist of those essential daily tasks that provide your body with the reassurance that, despite changing environments, this one activity remains constant.
For instance, if you only stay hydrated at home with your favorite large water bottle, find a portable version of that container to maintain hydration while on the move. If you rely on a high-end gym just steps from your house, develop a travel-focused workout regimen and adhere to the same time slots to invoke muscle memory.
Humans are creatures of habit, and our minds find comfort in reliable routines. Travel can significantly disrupt these routines. By establishing micro routines designed to accommodate that disruption, we can train our brain to blur the line between workouts at home and while traveling. We can replicate a similar sleeping atmosphere that facilitates the critical rest we often forgo when away from home.
Micro routines exemplify an essential truth: While you might not be able to control your surroundings (like the hectic life of a traveling entrepreneur), you can influence what you introduce into those environments. How do you integrate micro routines into your daily schedule?
