Routine, Shmoutine
With a side of poutine
Ah, the holy routine. Your bespoke itinerary of consistency. A topic in just about everyone’s consciousness, regardless of who you are or what you do. In a previous article, I wrote about the unprecedented — and overwhelming — array of self-improvement content at our disposal. Often, it leaves us passive and confused.
I believe in the power of routine. Academics and experts in the field of enhanced performance believe in it too. The problem is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is not up for debate as we are all unique individuals. As such, each routine has its own DNA.
Tools and tips that motivate you to establish a routine are invaluable. But, and most importantly, the design and fulfillment of your way are strictly proprietary. Depending on your strengths, weaknesses, and general personality, this glorious freedom can be a blessing — or a curse.
Stop Tripping on Ideas
Developing a routine, or anything else, without accountability, is pointless. Established author and speaker, Robin Sharma, describes it best:
A great vision without daily execution is a hallucination.
I remind myself of this quote every day, and I do not think Sharma’s word choice is an exaggeration. It elevates my levels of accountability. I am not into psychedelic drugs, but I cannot imagine a trip worse than failing to take daily action on a vision. There is no time requirement. It can be five minutes or five hours of commitment. Life gets in the way. It is normal.
A well-constructed routine, when executed with accuracy and consistency — is a game-changer. Unfortunately, our minds often get in the way. We get so excited by our original recipes that they can backfire. Sometimes, we are too ambitious and set ourselves up for disappointment. But our greatest enemy, provided our routine is appropriately attainable, is a thorn of innate human nature: rigidity.
The Apothecary of Your Mind
The key to a successful routine is for you to maintain the upper hand over it. After all, you are its architect. If you allow your daily blueprint to get the better of you, you are defeating its purpose. Steven Kotler, the founder of the Flow Research Collective, poses a simple question when evaluating optimized peak performance:
Do I want to do anything differently?
Creating a plan that works for you may require trial and error. So, how do you maintain the upper hand? It is easier than you think. And it makes all the difference.
Self-forgiveness is one of the most potent elixirs we all own. We get angry at ourselves all the time. However, more often than not, in these situations, we are falling victim to frivolous bullshit — such as not adhering to our daily routine like crazy glue. That is not the actual failure. True failure is allowing yourself to believe it is. Self-forgiveness is the antidote to a temporary lapse of our accountability. It does not excuse you, but it does reset you.
Many of us get too obsessed with following a routine that we become frustrated and discouraged if we fail to do so with consistent precision. If we do not practice self-forgiveness, sticking to our routine is like walking on a frozen sidewalk. You will fall flat on your ass, back to square one. But remember, folks, no two days are the same. We experience unexpected distractions. Again, life can get in the way. It is normal.
A Tasty Metaphor To Go
I did say there would be poutine involved. Yes, that curiously Canadian culinary creation. Its three essential components are french fries, topped with cheese curds, topped with gravy. After that, there are no rules. You can freestyle with different toppings, condiments, and utensils — including your hands.
The basic construction of poutine is, in itself, a routine. There is an order you intend to follow. But even if you do not follow the routine of assembling poutine the way it is supposed to be done, it will still taste delicious. On top of that, both literally and figuratively, you have the freedom and flexibility to add whatever you want.
Whether it is routine or poutine, nothing is etched in stone. There are the fundamental components, but how you consume them and their accoutrements are entirely up to you. Be flexible. Experiment. If you finish your routine or poutine satisfied, well done. Keep it up. If you do not feel well, forgive yourself and reset. This way, you won’t slip on the frozen sidewalk en route to the closest restroom.
