Chapter 1: The Comfort of Routine

Is your current routine truly satisfying, or is it just a familiar pattern you’ve grown accustomed to? Not long ago, I found myself stuck in a routine that frustrated me, yet I felt powerless to change it.

I was simply going through the motions each day, and every evening I would question myself:

“What are you doing?

You can’t continue living like this.

You must change your ways; you can’t keep behaving like this.

It’s time to step it up!”

As the day concluded, I found myself feeling angry and asking yet again:

Why do I tolerate this? You don’t even like this routine. Why do you persist?

This question lingered for a long time, and the answer was clear:

I had settled into it.

I had grown comfortable with being unmotivated, complacent, and unable to make necessary changes.

Despite having plenty on my plate, that was no justification. My inability to reach my goals stemmed from a lack of discipline to follow through on my plans, not from a shortage of time.

My habits were poor; I’d eat late, go to bed late, and wake up late, which set a negative tone for my day. While I’ve never been a morning person, I was taking it to an extreme. Waking up late cut my day in half, leaving me feeling hungry and rushed to tackle everything else before addressing my hunger, even though it wasn’t urgent.

Now, I found myself starting my workday on an empty stomach, and although I could have addressed that after waking up, I was caught in a cycle of unproductive frustration.

Instead of ending my day with relaxation, I was working late into the night, often until 2 AM, as I tried to catch up on tasks. The previous day’s work often bled into the next, leaving me hungry and unable to sleep immediately due to needing to digest my food.

As I stayed awake, I found myself mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching YouTube. While I didn’t mind this part of my routine, I was frustrated by its timing. If I could shift everything earlier by just three hours, I’d be much happier. Instead, at 5 AM, I was stuck in a cycle of waking late and repeating the same habits.

I couldn't deceive myself into thinking I was content with my life; that would be sheer denial. I was unhappy, completing my necessary tasks but doing them far too late.

Despite achieving daily goals, I felt defeated because I was failing at another crucial goal: starting my day earlier. Recognizing this problem was essential, and I knew I had to revamp my system.

Creating a structured routine turned out to be one of the most beneficial decisions I’ve made. What does your current routine look like?

I needed to clarify my goals. No more vague, ambiguous aspirations.

Questions arose:

• When do you want to sleep?
• When is your ideal wake-up time?
• When should you stop eating?
• How much work is enough for the day?
• When do you want to exercise?

I didn’t impose strict timelines, but I established a time frame for these activities. For example, I set a rule: “Don’t stay awake past 2 AM.”

If you can relate to my experience and feel trapped in your daily routine, consider asking yourself:

What bothers you about your current situation? Identifying the core issues is vital; otherwise, you’re navigating life blindfolded.

Once you identify what’s wrong, the next step is determining how to change it. If you find yourself in a routine that doesn’t serve you, what actionable steps can you take to create a more fulfilling schedule? Is there an unproductive activity in your day that could be replaced with something beneficial?

For additional support in answering these questions, check out these resources.

Are You Hindered From Growth if You Can’t Decipher Your Underlying Concerns?

Some problems are bothering you and need to be addressed.

Question of the Week: What does your vision look like?

Is it clear or foggy?

I hope my story resonates with you, and I wish you the best on your journey!

SIGNING OUT

TONY

Chapter 2: The Importance of Structured Routines

In this chapter, we will explore the significance of having a structured routine.

You're only as GOOD as your ROUTINES: structure is more important than you think. This video delves into the essential role routines play in achieving personal growth and success.