Self-discipline
When we talk about order in work and life, we often hear and use two terms: procedure / habit.
The procedure or routine is equivalent to the word Routine, and the habit is the same thing that we hear and use as Habit in English.
Although in normal usage and everyday conversations, we may use these two words interchangeably, but when it comes to time management and personal discipline, it is better to separate these two concepts as much as possible and pay attention to the subtle difference between They are there to note.
We usually use the words routine and habit interchangeably.
What is the difference between habits and routines?
Habits are things that we do relatively often.
We may do these things at very specific intervals or sporadically.
Usually, habits gradually become so normal for us that we no longer pay attention to them. Unless we consciously think about them or someone talks to us about them.
The following are examples of habits:
habit of studying
The habit of driving in the city when we are nervous (for emotional release)
Exercise habit
Habit of waking up late
habit of watching TV
Not used to watching TV
used to getting up early
Now that we have talked about habit, we can better understand the concept of routine or procedure
When we talk about a routine or procedure, we mean two or more specific activities that are performed in a specific order, one after the other.
Therefore, we can say: habit is repetition; But routine is order.
Of course, it's probably clear to you that routines and habits influence each other, and sometimes you can't even draw a very rigid line between them.
But this point does not reduce the importance of paying attention to routines.
Let us review some routines (procedures) together:
❈ Before reading, I always silence the mobile phone and keep it out of my sight. I also tell my wife that I want to study for half an hour with concentration. Before opening the book, I put a pen and paper next to me. When the reading is over, I write a summary of what was interesting to me in a few sentences.
❈ When I wake up, I close the curtains and lie down again. I usually think about the day's work for five to ten minutes. After that, I pick up my mobile phone and check Telegram while lying down. Then I get up and go for a short walk.
❈ When we arrive at the company, we have about a quarter of an hour to check emails and instant messages. Then we all go to the company meeting room and have a fifteen-minute stand-up meeting with our manager. No one has the right to sit until the meeting lasts.
As you can see in the examples, each activity can have its own routines. Most of us - without even using the name - have many daily routines:
Things we do before sleep.
Things we do after waking up.
The things we do immediately after entering the workplace.
The activities we do before leaving the workplace.
What we do to write a post on our blog.
Even if you pay attention, each of us has our own routines for going to Telegram or Instagram. What we check first and what we do next and finally what we do before exiting the application.
Routines are more conscious than habits, and we can more easily remember and articulate them if asked about them.
If you are a person who defines routine in your life, you must have experienced its value and importance.
But those who do not pay much attention to routines usually feel that this way of defining routines can make life mechanical.
Maria Popova, the author of the well-known blog Brain Pickings (which is an example of personal discipline and commitment and work continuity) has a beautiful sentence about this.
She says: [contrary to what we think] the wonders of life appear for those who have certain routines and habits.
Of course, this is not an argument. But it points to an important point: more than making our life mechanical, having a routine increases our capacities, opportunities and successes and can free us from a mechanical and forced destiny.
What routines do you have in your life?
Routines that you consider important and that you believe have brought you positive results (in work, life, health, concentration, learning, or any other area).