The Power of Morning and Evening Routines

Years ago (years and years ago) when I was a teen we lived out in the country.  Actually, we still live on the old home-place but I digress.  One Summer we had a surprise visitor to the back porch.  I don’t remember if it was our dog, cat or we just happened to look up in time to see a turtle at the dog dish on the patio and it was eating the dog food. Much to our delight, he came back the next day and the next.  We pretty much were able to say that during the Summer that year the turtle made it his routine to visit our patio for some bites to eat during it’s wanderings and meandering.  What was even more amazing to me was that the turtle came back year after year for a few years.  How did we know it was the same turtle?  Well, I did what any girl would do and wrote on it’s shell on the back with pink nail polish so I would know if it was “my turtle”.

This turtle established a routine for it’s survival and I’m finding that the older I get the more I depend on routines as well.

Morning and Evening Routines

Darren Hardy, editor-in-chief of Success Magazine and author The Compound Effect reveals that a person’s morning and evening routines are the “bookends” of a successful life. Why does he think so?

It’s because of the basic principle we have heard so often “inch by inch it’s a cinch”.

Routines Keep You Grounded

Life can be swirling around and you can be busy. But by having your routines you allow yourself that “me” time where you are in control of that block of time. For me, it’s simply my morning coffee and my morning writing. That time is my bookend that if I don’t allow myself the time to do it, my day is out of whack. Sort of like that bookshelf when you remove your and the books sort of slide down and slump. The books are still there, but they just aren’t standing up as straight and organized.

Routines Help You Keep Your Priorities

I just can’t say enough about every person taking time to write down what their priorities and values are. When you know that you know what is important in your life you are so much closer to being aligned and in tune with your purpose. When you know your priorities are you need to make sure to allow yourself time for those priorities. By establishing your priorities and values as part of your daily routine you are a step closer not only to an organized day but the feeling of an “organized” life.

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, your routines will change as your seasons of life change. Some priorities will shift. But the kick in the seat is that even as your life “slows down” or if it “speeds up” establishing your routines will help you sail a little straighter, and more meaningful, path on the ocean of life.

You may be wondering. How do you create morning and evening routines? What should your routine consist of?

I’ll talk about that tomorrow!

Until then….
Hugs and feathers from the nest~~()~~

Kim Steadman is the COOP (Chief Online Operating Person) for The Re-Feathered Nest. A place of encouragement for moms entering the Empty Nest Zone who find they need to RePurpose and ReDesign their lives now that the kids have flown the coop. Kim can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheRefeatheredNest and on Google+ at +Kim.