Time for a Switch-up?

Humans are creatures of habit. We typically find a routine that works for us and we are able to operate mindlessly to fulfill this routine. The most common example is our morning routine. Do you wake up, get dressed, grab your coffee, brush your teeth, and head to work on the same route every day? Most of us have a simple routine we do on repeat. Routines make tasks easier and when they become habit, they prove to be less effort than switching up what we do on a daily basis. We have routines because routines work. However, mindlessly sticking to routines can lead us to become complacent with where we are. Sometimes we need a switch-up.

When recognizing if we need a switch-up in our routines there are main thoughts we can ponder to decide. If we find ourselves talking ourselves into committing our habit, we are losing that battle. We should look to modify that particular habit so it is once again exciting to us or becomes something we once again look forward to in our days. Having a habit that consistently feels forced is a habit halfway to being lost.

The other question to consider is if our habit or routine is still servicing us, or if it is one we are blindly following. If we are blindly going through the motions of our routine it is time to switch things up. We should be looking to iterate and change our habits and routines in order to continue stimulating our minds. When we are going through the motions with our habits, our actions can slip into subconscious, non-deliberate motions. In this realm, we are missing out on the opportunity to learn and evolve.

Switching our individual processes up should not be an uncommon occurrence. If we are not active in assessing and evaluating our processes we have a high potential to miss out on potential returns. New routines and pivots in our habits throw our bodies and minds into environments where learning and growth are properly stimulated. If we realize we are stuck in periods of mindless routine, sudden changes may be all we need to jumpstart the growth process. Switch the scenery, switch the amount of effort required, switch the order we do things. Do not be afraid of the switch-up. The switch-up may be the most important aspect for carrying out our habits and routines over the long run. With a switch-up, we are able to find new aspects of our usual routines.