I’m trying to get myself on a more consistent routine. I think routines breed productivity and creativity.

They take a lot of motivation and discipline. I’m motivated and disciplined about a lot of things- but waking up early to do specific tasks isn’t one of them. At least not yet.

The only reason I haven’t really in the past is because my mind tends to work in strange stretches- at 11:30 pm I’ll suddenly get on a writing roll and stay up until 3 am without realizing what time it is. Suddenly, my supposed 6 o’clock wake up time doesn’t seem like such a good idea anymore.

But with so much on my docket in the upcoming weeks, I’m really working on getting into that routine. It feels good. You start to feel in a groove. Within that groove, you get confidence you can and will have time to accomplish everything you need. And if you don’t accomplish everything you wanted that day, you know you’ve created time tomorrow to try again.

Anyone who knows me well knows I like schedules. I have about four to five calendars I maintain with all my different activities and goals. It doesn’t make sense to the casual observer why one person would need so many, but it has served me well over the past several years.

Plus, it’s part of my personality. I preferred the office supply store over the toy store when I was little. Binders, highlighters, calendars, oh my!

I’m going to attempt to put myself in a serious routine. Up every day at the same time, no matter what time I go to bed. Go to the gym daily at the same time. Write during certain periods of the day. Check off a specific list of small daily goals and see how they help serve me.

There’s some room for flexibility- as there always should be- but most of it is after 11 am (because who knows what the day will bring!). My mornings, though… those should be routine. Even if it’s just for this one month. And even if it’s just in the mornings. I think that little kick every day with make a big difference.

Then again, I could just turn cranky and crabby. Who knows! You never know until you try!

Anybody have any suggestions on good morning rituals?