Repetition, Routines, and Rituals

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Unlocking the Power of Repetition

Have you ever committed to something, only to lose track of it later? It's a frustrating experience. Our past habits and thoughts create strong paths in our minds, making it easy to slip back into old behaviors. But there's a solution: by repeating behaviors, we can reshape these paths and move towards positive change - and this is only possible through NEW routines and rituals.

Let’s understand each separately and establish what routines and rituals you need in your life to make your big dreams a reality.

Understanding Routines

A routine is something you do at the same time every day, whether intentionally or not. Think about your morning routine. Do you follow a specific plan, or do you take a more flexible approach? Understanding your current routine can help you see where you might need to make changes to reach your goals.

If you want to change your routine, it's important to choose something you can commit to every day. It should be consistent if you want it to shape your future. Saying "I'll exercise most mornings" leaves room for excuses. Instead, commit to a fixed routine that you enjoy and find easy to stick to.

In his book ‘How Will You Measure Your Life?’, Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen says that “it’s easier to hold your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold them 98% of the time.”

He goes even further, explaining that while you may think, “Look, I know I shouldn’t do this. But in this particular extenuating circumstance, just this once, it’s OK,” the impact of that one-time excuse is a long-term reduction in your progress.

Making Routines Stick

To make your routines stick, they need to be non-negotiable commitments. They should also be enjoyable and easy to do. Planning ahead can help too. Set up your morning routine the night before to make it easier to follow through. You can also use habit stacking, adding new habits to existing ones, to make them stick.

Now, think about what new routine you can create for yourself to positively shift your identity and keep you committed to your goals. Can you link it to another daily habit to make sure you remember to do it? How can you plan ahead to ensure your new habits stick?

Routines vs. Rituals

Rituals are different from routines. A successful ritual is characterized by these elements:

• It can be done anywhere, at any time of day.

• It engages your senses (smell, taste, hearing, vision, or touch).

• It only takes a few minutes, at most.

• It creates a lifted feeling, giving you momentum to take positive actions that day.

While routines happen at specific times, rituals can be used at any moment to get you back on track. For example, if something triggers negative emotions, a ritual can help you refocus and move forward from a better place.

Think of a ritual as something that reconnects you to your purpose and helps you feel centered and ready to take on challenges. It could be a simple action or practice that quiets your mind and guides you towards your goals.

A successful ritual engages your senses and creates a lifted feeling, giving you momentum to take positive actions. Think about different times when you need a boost or feel off track. What ritual can you use to ignite your best self in these situations?

Consider something physical you can do, like closing your eyes or moving your body. Then, think about how you can engage your other senses. What music or scents put you in a positive state? What can you look at or touch to feel grounded?

Combine these elements into a simple, repeatable ritual that you can use whenever you need to restore your full potential and be your best self.

Commit to Change

Remember from the last newsletter that commitment means getting into the C.A.R.: Commitment, Action, and Ritual. Set long-term goals, take immediate action, and establish daily routines and rituals to keep you on track. By harnessing the power of repetition and visualization, you can create the future you want to see.

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