Even if that title made your cringe, I bet you have some pretty basic routines and rules in your everyday life.
One of the hardest things for me since starting my business is getting into a normal routine. In fact, my favorite thing about working for myself is the flexibility. But this lack of routine has also been difficult for me. For about a year I never had two days in a row with the same schedule (except the weekends), which definitely made it hard for me to do short-term planning. Now I’ve settled into a more regular schedule, but I still see the benefit of having a little more consistency.
Part of this is recognizing that rigidity and structure are not the same. Likewise, flexibility does not equal chaos.
It’s sort of like my favorite rule for grammar and music: You can’t break the rules unless you know what they are. Then break them with intent.
Flexibility means being able to change your schedule when you want, it doesn’t mean not having a schedule (or a very inconsistent schedule, as it was for me). You want flexibility and structure, and they are not at odds. In fact, I would argue, you will have greater flexibility if you have some underlying rules that make sure your bare minimum gets done without having to worry about it.
Source: WorkingSmall
Now, by nature, I’m a rule follower. But I’ve never been a rule maker. I think that these are two very different things. Yes, I’m a lawyer. Yes, I’m very analytical. But I’m also flexible and easy going. Once again, I’ve decided that these things are not all inconsistent, and that a healthy balance of each is a nice thing.
As I’ve watched more and more of my friends have children, I’ve noticed how good routines can really impact good health, behavior, and happiness in children. Why should this be any different for adults?
Making mundane tasks habits frees up your mental energy to be creative, and not bogged down in trying to remember other things. Making some rules also helps you do things that you know are good for you but are easy to put off until a later time.
My favorite example of this is from Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project, which I’ve been following for the last few years. Two of her rules for exercising are to always exercise on Monday and never skip exercising for more than two days in a row. Back in my gym membership days, these rules really helped me exercise more regularly. If I put off exercising on Monday or skipped more than two days in a row, it was much harder to get back to it. I probably wouldn’t have been conscious of this were it not for Gretchen’s rules.
I’m going to set up a page for each of these and do a blog post for each rule. I’ll link those up soon.
Life Rules
- Get enough sleep.
- Take vitamin D.
- Treat everyone with respect and kindness.
- ?
Work Rules. Most of these are also life rules, but with special twists.
- Treat everyone with respect and kindness.
- Make repeatable checklists or tasks. Then you only have to think about making them the first time.
- Pay it forward.
- ?
A bonus for any other NCIS fans out there: See also Rule 51.
