Do you reveal yourself in the routine?

As summer comes to an end and fall begins, it’s time for many of us to settle down, hone our focus, and get back to our daily routines. Whether you have kids going back to school or you’re coming back from a long summer vacation…it’s the perfect time to get organized so you can be productive and more focused at home, work, or school.

Some people fear that following a routine or scheduling tasks and activities will stifle creativity and the ability to act spontaneously. We have found the opposite to be true. Routines help you get organized and stay organized! Focus and organization can unlock creativity. Prioritizing and working more efficiently can free up more time, allowing for spontaneity and fun.

Back to tips and routine tips:

1) Check your email at the same time every day and never first thing in the morning. Get an important task done before opening your email program, and then consider checking email at 10:00, 1:00, and 4:00, for example. This way, you won’t be distracted by other tasks throughout the day that need to be completed and others will know your routine and wait for your reply emails whether it’s in the morning, midday or late afternoon.

2) If you have kids, have “homework time” (and a clear, organized, and quiet study space). Honor that time each day to complete school assignments and projects. If there is no homework, encourage your child to review textbooks, past homework, study for upcoming tests, do an activity in an extra workbook you have on hand, write a letter to a friend or relative, or read a book. By establishing this routine, your children will know what to expect and establish good work habits.

3) Do what you can the night before. Take a few minutes to review your calendar and to-do list for the next day so you know what to prepare for, both mentally and physically.

o Put clothes away the night before – for the kids, you can even buy a 5-shelf sweater organizer and put clothes for the week (Monday on the top shelf, etc.)

o Prepare and pack lunches the night before. Pack backpacks and briefcases with the books, papers, and supplies needed for the day.

o Pack up “activity” bags or arrange any extra supplies you’ll need for a night out. Place these items by the door you will be leaving the next morning so nothing is left behind. These steps will help reduce the chaos that morning often brings.

4) Create a family calendar/event hub. The kitchen or home office is usually the best place for this. Have a central location where everyone can see the current month’s schedule. This way, you won’t miss a birthday party, doctor’s appointment, soccer game, or double-booking. Get each family member into the routine of regularly adding social events, get-togethers, sporting events, etc. to this calendar. Go through the calendar together during a weekly family meeting where you look at what’s scheduled for the week, find out who’s going where, make sure transportation is arranged, and talk about who’s home for dinner each night. This is also a great time to quickly brainstorm dinner ideas and come up with a quick shopping and grocery list.

5) Plan a 10-minute family “tidy up time” each night. Have everyone start in one room and blow a whistle or set a timer to start. Put “out of place” items back in your home. Throw out the trash, put things that belong in another room in a box to take on the road and return when you get there. Once the room you started in looks good and everything is back in place, move on to the next room. Do this until each room is collected. Be sure to praise everyone for a job well done at the end. This makes pick-up work quick, ensures big buildups don’t happen, gets everyone in the family involved, and teaches little ones big lessons.