The Blessing is in The Routine

Sometimes, I don’t even know how I do it. Depending on the day, my alarm will go off at either 3 or 3:30 am. I get up and I start my day. The first thing I do is go and check on my daughter Allie in her room (if she hasn’t found her way to our bed at some point during the night). I’ll grab a bottle of water and then spend time in prayer and reading. I’ll spend some time writing or working on my blog. I then arrive at the gym between 4:45-and 5:00. I’m usually back home no later than 6:30 am to start the rest of my day. I’m not going to sit here and pretend like this comes easy to me every day. Honestly, it doesn’t. I’ve even asked myself why am I getting out of bed so early on a cold winter morning. In the beginning, it was a challenge. But as the months have gone by, it has become easier. Even the days when I don’t want to get up, my body switches to auto pilot and my feet hit the floor. Once I get going, I’m glad that I got up and got started. Those hours set the tone for my day. I’m able to get the things that I want to do completed. Both my wife and daughter are still asleep so I’m not taking time away from them. The world is still asleep. I don’t have to worry about being distracted by anyone. Everything is centered around the time I get up and the things I do before the world is awake. Having a routine is truly a blessing because it helps me to take control of my most valuable asset.

My time is very valuable to me. Having a routine that I follow on a daily basis allows me to take advantage of every minute that is available to me. I no longer just “go with the flow” and see what happens. I have no choice but to plan my day, my week out so that I can maximize every moment. My routine is successful for me because it forces me stay on task. It’s very similar to having a financial budget. As long as I stick with it, I know that I’m going to put myself in a much better position in the long run because of it. 

A lot of people talk about getting up early as part of their routine, but it isn’t going to work unless you have a purpose for that time. Without a purpose, you will fail more than you succeed. Knowing your purpose, you’re able to prepare properly. For example, before I go to bed I make sure that my gym clothes are set out. That way I’m not fumbling and looking for them. Also, subconsciously I’m telling myself that since my gym clothes are out, I have to get up and go now. Knowing your purpose allows you to develop a plan so that you can prepare for what’s to come and be successful. 

If you want to take back control of your time, I will strongly encourage you to develop a routine. Your routine will help carry you and keep you on track even when you do not feel like doing it. It allows you to become more focused and it will help you (as it has with me) achieve some of your goals. Successful people have routines. You must be willing to do things that you’ve never done if you want to get places you’ve never been. Develop a routine for your life and see how much things begin to change for the better. Watch how you seem to just take back control of your time are able to spend more of it with the people you love. There is such a blessing in having a daily routine, but you will never be able to experience it until you develop one. Yes, it’s a challenge in the beginning. But the things worth having, the things worth doing are not going to come easy. Be willing to make the change. It will require sacrifice, but once you truly begin to see how much your life is beginning to change for the better, you’re going to wish that you had made this change earlier. It’s worth it. Develop a routine and take back control of your time.