Rituals and routines play a surprisingly important role in our lives. In fact, according to studies, habits account for more than 40% of our behaviors. While bad habits are notoriously hard to break, the consistent behavior patterns of healthy habits can improve focus, productivity, and goal achievement.
Everyone knows that to make an activity a habit, it takes repetition. And there’s certainly value in cultivating healthy habits (and stopping unhealthy ones). But just as important, I think, is recognizing that sometimes you need to shake things up a bit and break free from your routine.
When something becomes routine, we don’t need to think about it. Famously, Steve Jobs wore his black turtlenecks and Mark Zuckerberg his grey t-shirts every day to reduce the (albeit small) cognitive load required to make an outfit choice.
Consistency and repetition pay dividends across fields: Practicing scales on a musical instrument until they are rote. Catching fly balls until they land in the glove every time. Writing daily until it becomes second nature. Having predictable routines has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. So, what routines should we adopt?
Mason Currey’s compelling little book Daily Rituals details the habits of successful artists, past and present. The major aha! I had from reading these stories is this: There is no secret formula for success.
For every renowned artist who swears by a regular early morning routine (like Twyla Tharp), there’s another who simply does not adhere to schedules (like Ann Beattie). Some attest to the value of vigorous exercise (like Beethoven), while others insist that inspiration strikes best when they stay out late drinking with friends (like James Joyce). There are those who need silence and solitude (like Igor Stravinsky), and others who create and share their work-in-progress with family members sitting in the same room (like Jane Austen).
There are artists who work through the night (like Thomas Wolfe), those who generate a regular output every single day (like Stephen King), and those who succeed on half an hour of productive daily work (like Gertrude Stein). There are ones who require a meticulous and tidy workspace (like Charles Dickens), those who seem to thrive on disorder (like Francis Bacon), and those who prefer to work in anonymous hotel rooms (like Maya Angelou).
So, while it is fascinating to learn about the routines (or lack thereof) of successful people, what’s clear is that there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for us all to follow. It’s not as if we just need to adopt a particular sequence of daily rituals and we’ll all become legendary writers or painters or scientists. Drinking Scotch at midnight or adopting a vegan diet does not assure a bestselling novel. A sunrise polar plunge does not guarantee an Oscar or Nobel or Pulitzer.
What’s important is to find what works for each of us and to nurture that. When and where do you work best? If it’s in the evening at home, then make sure you have a space that is well equipped. (I recently renovated my home office and what a difference it makes to work in a place where I feel creative and comfortable!) What inspires you? If it’s engaging in rigorous debate with colleagues, then put yourself in an environment that’s likely to foster success. What makes you feel healthy and fulfilled? Experiment with different ways of working. Pay attention to how you feel, what causes you to struggle with concentration or productivity, and when you are in flow.
When you find something that works – stick with it! As baseball catcher Crash Davis says in my favorite movie Bull Durham, “A player on a streak has to respect the streak.” (There is, of course, a lot of superstition in sports. And while not precisely the same, this is conceptually similar.) If you believe you’re driving innovation and producing insights and delivering value because of the environment or timing or team in which you work, then it can become a virtuous cycle, with positive feedback that reinforces behaviors and yields results.
But – and here is where I’ll differ from the usual “heathy habits” mantra – sometimes it’s also beneficial to break routines. Because there’s a problem with habits: They often cause us to turn off our brains and go on autopilot. We’re not as present, engaged, and thoughtful. Sometimes we don’t stop to ask why we’re doing something; we just do it. Routines can blunt creativity.
Changing up a routine can be invigorating. “I’ve found over the years,” said Woody Allen, “that any momentary change stimulates a fresh burst of mental energy.” Try taking a different route to the office or going on a walk outside or adopting a new pastime to shake things up.
Recognize that what works best for each of us might change over time – as we adjust our vision for what success looks like, as we take on different roles, and as we get to know ourselves and our preferences. Anne Rice, famed author of The Vampire Chronicles, said: “I certainly have routine, but the most important thing, when I look back over my career, has been the ability to change routines.”
Over the past few months, I’ve tried to establish some new and healthy routines. Going to the gym. Getting more sleep. Eating well. What started feeling foreign (oh, those sore muscles!) has begun to feel normal, healthy, and – dare I say? – good.
There’s a well-known myth that if you repeat something regularly for 21 days, it becomes a habit. While recent research suggests that the time needed to create a routine can vary from weeks to months and from person to person, these are some simple approaches that may help establish new routines:
- Use the Two-Day Rule: Whatever habit you’re trying to build, consistency is key. To gain momentum, don’t allow yourself to skip more than one day in a row. For example, if you’re trying to exercise regularly, you can take a day off, but then get right back to the gym the following day.
- Try the 30-for-30 Challenge: Commit to your activity for 30 minutes per day for 30 straight days. The effect is compounding, and, in a month, you’ll have 900 minutes of dedicated effort (like practicing an instrument) under your belt.
- Focus on Bite-Sized Habits: Often we fail because we try to tackle too much at once. Instead, focus on regular, consistent, baby steps. For instance, rather than trying to do extensive journaling daily, simply write down one sentence – a memory or reflection – each night before bed. Soon you’ll have developed a regular practice.
- Practice Habit Stacking: According to Atomic Habits author James Clear, to create a good habit, make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. One way to do this is to pair your new behavior with a current habit, which serves as a trigger or cue. For instance: after I brush my teeth, I’ll floss.
- Find a Buddy: To help with support and accountability, it’s valuable to have a partner. This could be someone also trying to develop new habits or simply a person there to provide encouragement, celebrate successes, and make you feel less alone. For instance, you might update a friend or nutritionist about your healthy eating progress. For me, going to the gym and cooking meals with my husband helps keep me on track.
- Measure Progress: Keep tabs on your accomplishments as a way to motivate yourself and recognize progress. It doesn’t need to be fancy: pen and paper do the trick, or update a note on your phone, or try the Paper Clip Strategy, or use an app (like Streaks or Habit List or Way of Life).
Routines can provide much-needed regularity in our lives. They help us be productive, manage stress, and achieve goals. For me, reassessing my habits and creating some new ones has helped me rediscover balance and spark.
Photo by Yulissa Tagle on Unsplash
