Every day I stare at the blank page of Microsoft Word. It is just daring me to write something brilliant on it, but it refuses to help me. So I stare out of my window for a little while and let my mind wander. What great truth will I tackle this time? Some days it comes easy, others it takes some work. On occasion I think, “forget it, I’ll just take today off” but then an odd thing happens. I feel pressure. I can’t move on to my next project because I feel like I need to write something. Until I actually put down a post in Word, I have a nagging in the back of my mind. Oddly enough, this is a good thing.

I am the king of routine. During an average day, I probably have a dozen different things that I always do the same way at the same time. It makes me predictable but it also sets a framework for me to get things done. When I first started this blog, I figured that I would blog 4 days a week, so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed and burned out. Eventually I planned to shift to 5 days a week as the blog gained in popularity. Well I shifted to 5 days quicker than I expected because skipping the one day made me feel too uncomfortable, like I was avoiding something (which I was).

Studies show  it takes two weeks to break a habit so logically it takes two weeks to start a routine. Once you get into that habit, your subconscious takes over and, at least in my case, makes it uncomfortable unless you do it.

So look at your life and figure out what you want to add to it, then find a place to put that activity in your day. Keep with it for two weeks and you’ll gain a habit for life. While routine can be dull, it can also lead to a better, more balanced you.