Are you a road warrior? For many a year, I have headed to the airport about fifty times. I have a routine for packing. I have routine for driving to the airport. I have a routine for getting from the shuttle lot to the airport. I have a routine for getting through security. And on and on. (If you want to see a great illustration of the security routine, watch this clip from the movie Up in the Air.
But routines are not just for road warriors. Any task or responsibility you can turn into a routine reduces the cognitive load your brain needs to manage as you navigate through the day. Author and neuroscience researcher Torkel Klingberg, puts it this way: “Often, we can do more than one task if one of them is automatic, such as walking. For an activity to be designated “automatic,” it no longer demands any activation of the frontal lobes.” While packing and driving to the airport are more complex than walking, the principle is the same. The more you can systemize a task, the more you can concentrate on other issues and decisions. Ask people whom you consider effective decision-makers. They will relate similar examples of what I mentioned above.
Routines also help to reduce stress. Let’s face it. Stuff goes wrong. When the unexpected occurs, the resulting stress tends to narrow our focus, many times compelling us to make ill-advised decisions. As a result, we can make matters worse by not having a means for emotionally managing these challenges.
So, how do the top performers around you navigate the unexpected? If you observe them, they have a routine they slip into which might involve, stopping, taking a breath or two, taking a few steps away from the situation, asking a couple of clarifying questions, and asking for a bit of time to consider how to best respond. They do this automatically because it has evolved into a routine. Don’t believe me? Watch their behavior the next time you see them confronted by something or someone unexpected.
There is no specific formula for developing routines. Many just sort of evolve. Unfortunately, many are time consuming or even destructive. That’s why it is important to take stock of the normal routines you have and replace the unproductive ones with better or healthier routines. Once again, observe the top performers around you. How do they seem to avoid all the endless temptations engulfing us these days?
Routines can be your friends. The more friends you develop, the more energy and focus you will have to make smart decisions and reduce stress when stuff goes wrong. So, what is the next routine you should establish?
If you want more insights on how to overcome the overwhelm you feel? Go to YouTube and search on my name, Bob Wendover or Beat My Burnout. You’ll find lots of helpful videos.