This is not just simply a 'routine'

It is a good post to start a week! (I wrote this post on Mon 2 Jun 2014). Despite I don't like the idea of something calling 'a routine' that much, I've just realized lately that this activity is actually determine the whole story in our life.

Perhaps, an insect also has a daily routine of strolling around the terminal bud?

There are many temptations that can deviate people from reaching their primary goals. We just follow our instinct to respond to unrelated tasks with current task in our hand. Without realizing that the transition time to return to our initial focus is around 20 minutes per task, we could simply wasting much time while we are switching our attention between tasks. Eventually, we might be prone to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), a type of syndrome of difficulty to concentrate, focus, pay attention to something. It is also including hyperactivity and impulsivity that could impair our daily life. You could check whether you have the ADD syndrome by taking this simple and quick quiz (http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm).

A routine is a sequence of actions regularly followed (or a procedure/program/method/schedule)~ according to my Mac's dictionary.

The routine is affecting the way we accomplish our activities in a day. If we set a routine for a day, we just need to follow the program and finish things accordingly to our schedule. We do it regularly without thinking and just do it unconsciously like we always do the activity for a long time. This is beneficial when we try to tackle a difficult and long term assignment like working on research/thesis or learning a language. 

To establish a routine at the beginning is a difficult task. We must practice not to miss any step and stick to our plan devotedly. We could only establish a rigid routine after 21 days. This is where our brain has been training ourselves to work repeteadly without considering any distractions. After sometimes, we just could follow the routine without hesitation or avoidance. Like a routine of praying five times a day for a moslem, you just simply follow the adzhan and pray.

It is important for me to develop a routine to achieve my own goals at work. I used to apply this technique when I have a very important goal to achieve. I just wan to do my 'homework' well, and it should be in advance. A few months before the 'D Day' or deadlines for this very important task, I create such a schedule/routine by using two to three hours block of time to dedicate myself  to the task. It could be two hours in the morning or in the evening, but it must be carry out on daily basis. By taking this repetitive schedule, I move towards my goals gradually without feeling under pressure during the process. The chances to get a good mark is enormous with great and memorable feelings. This is normally more satisfying than rushing on it before the deadline. 

Successful people have created their own routine everyday. Perhaps, you could learn from them, too. Just check some of daily habit of famous artists or writers in this book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15799151-daily-rituals

By creating your own routine,  you make the problem is easier to handle, controllable and very doable in the long run. This is a great importance for your study or career in the long term and an important way to prevent the ADD symptom.

Pekanbaru,