03: How to get back into a routine after going through chaos in your business

Anyone else cringe at the idea of a “morning routine” these days? The days where I would get up at 5:00, do my journaling, get my movement in, seem so far away. After the chaos we’ve been thrown into these last 18 months, I’m willing to bet I’m not alone in this feeling.

Maybe you’re like me and you’ve found yourself off track due to the stresses of the pandemic, or maybe just going through a rough season at the moment or maybe you’ve taken an extended break and you just want to get your groove back. Whatever the reason, if you’re struggling to get back into a routine again and to bounce back to your old self, this episode is for you. Let’s do this together… 

Tip #1:  Get organized

Does your office or life or to-do list feel like a mess right now? Don’t worry, we’re all friends here. Before you dive into anything. I want you to clear your space. Literally. Take a laundry basket and put all of the clutter into the basket. Then, decide what to toss, decide what to keep and display things that give you joy. This little exercise will just give you that breath of fresh air you need to tackle the new habits and goals you’re about to set. 

Clearing the clutter also goes for your to-do list and inbox. There are conflicting opinions on this… but personally, I have trouble starting something new and getting myself back on track – when I have things lingering. So, I want you to take some time to clear that inbox, get your books in order, prioritize your to-do list and calendar, and clean your office. Let’s start from a fresh slate.

When I say prioritize your todo list. I want you to first brain dump everything you have to do. THEN take that clutter and organize it. What can wait? Who do you have to communicate with in terms of timelines, etc? What can you get help with? What would move the needle in your business right now. Once you have this list sorted out, then you can start to tackle it. 

And remember, make these to do lists small and bite size. Do not schedule more than 3-5 things to do per day. It’s been to schedule less and surprise yourself, then schedule more and be necessarily stressed all day. 

Tip #2:  Get crystal clear on your goals

What exactly do you want to accomplish? What part of your life do you want to get back into a routine? Do you want to streamline your systems and processes? Grow your business to 6 figures in revenue? Get your health back on track? Improve your relationship?

This is number one. Let’s first declare a goal. We can’t map out a route, if we don’t know our destination. Write the goal down, and have a plan to evaluate your progress often (I’m talking weekly). You don’t need to see the whole picture here. You don’t even need the how. You just need the goal.

Tip #3:  Work on one new habit at a time

Now that we have the goal, I’m going to reign you in, girlfriend. Repeat after me – ONE THING AT A TIME.

I know, it’s so tempting to do all the things. When I get a little fire under my butt to get my act together… I tell myself. I’m going to get up early, prepare all my meals for the week, sit down and plan my content for the month, clear out my inbox, run 5 miles. Sounds ambitious right? But the reality is, long term habits happen one step at a time. 

So my challenge to you is to take baby steps. One thing at a time. Maybe it’s drinking a full glass of water before your morning coffee. Maybe it’s getting in the habit of journaling your goals every morning. Pick one new thing to start with… then, when you feel like that’s becoming part of your routine, add another new thing. Slowly, those little things will build up and stack. And before you know it, life will look a little bit more in control. 

Tip #4:  Put it in the calendar

This is a big one. Anything you want to accomplish, should go in the calendar. For example, want to start bathing your social media content? It gets blocked off in the calendar. Tuesday afternoon, your but is in the chair and you’re busting out this content. Want to get back into an exercise routine? 7pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday – it’s in the calendar. No ifs, ands, or buts. 

And believe me, there will be something that gets in the way. There will ALWAYS be something that tugs at your shirt, wanting you to go in a different direction.

They’ll be an email that needs your attention, or a to-do list item that never got done and you’ll be tempted to take care of those things. But if you want to get back into a routine. If you want to get back on track and get back in control. It’s going to take some strict boundaries.  Get to work. No excuses.

Tip #5:  Leave some wiggle room

Okay, so this kind of contradicts what I just said. But, It’s worth mentioning because if you’re anything like me. If you can’t do it 100%, it’s tempting to not do it at all. 

I want you to wipe this mindset clean. For example, if I tell myself I’m going to go to the gym at 7pm on Monday. But monday comes, and maybe I’m exhausted and not feeling too well, maybe it’s that time of the month. I’m going to listen to my body and my heart. I’m not kill myself at the gym, but instead, I’ll take a nice relaxing walk around the block. I’ll put my headphones in, and listen to my favorite business podcast. JUST GETTING THE MOVEMENT IN at the time you said you were going to… will keep you on track.

I want you to do everything you can to not just quit on your goals. If you need to modify them, that’s OKAY. We are human. Just don’t sit down, don’t stand still. Baby steps if we have to… but I want you to keep moving.

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Now that we’ve gone through some tactical tips to help you get back on track, it’s time for pep talk. Getting back into a routine is not always a smooth process. It’s going to be messy. Let it be messy. You’re making progress. Making moves is better than standing still. So, be proud of that. Even if it’s not perfect. If you stumble, take a breath, dust off and go again.

I’m working on this too. I feel like my life has been thrown for such a loop this year. Between the wedding industry being totally knocked on it’s but and enjoying life as a new mama. I’m learning how to do this all and I’m going to be updating you all on how I’m trying to get back into a routine. And I hope you do the same!

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