A FEW WEEKS AGO I ATTENDED THE CONTEST AT THE METROSPEAKERS TOASTMASTERS CLUB. ONE OF THE CONTESTANTS MENTIONED A QUOTE THAT STUCK IN MY MIND. I DON’T REMEMBER THE EXACT WORDS BUT IT WENT ALONG THESE LINES: ‘DO MORE OF THINGS YOU LOVE AND LESS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.’ — EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
The very first thing that came to my mind after hearing this quote was that we should re-think our routines. Are we focused enough on doing things we love? Maybe we just blindly follow routines because we got use to, no matter if they are productive or not?
YOUTUBE DAILY DIGEST AND THE REALITY
The first example that popped into my head is YouTube daily digest. I guess there are hundreds of people like me who watch their favorite channels and recommended videos every evening. Probably you do that too. A quick glimpse into the feed to see if any new interesting video appeared, and by the time you look at the clock again, it’s midnight. You don’t know where all the time went. But did you really enjoyed watching all of those random videos? I enjoy some of them but the majority doesn’t bring anything new and I close them after the first couple of seconds. Instead of searching for the stuff I’m passionate about, or to help me to develop my skills, I waste my time on cute kittens doing the same thing over and over again and movie scenes I have already seen.
Here comes the definition of an insanity – ‘If you do the same thing over and over again and you expect different results – you are insane.’
I do have high expectations in my life. My dream is to go on a grand tour around Europe and Asia. I want to drive some fantastic supercars and to be successful and wealthy. I did not move to a different country in a search for mediocrity. I did not leave my family and lifetime friends to sit in front of a laptop screen and stare at fluffy kittens.
Does the routine of evening YouTube videos browsing is my insanity? Just because it is socially acceptable, it doesn’t mean it is not insane to have expectations for a better life while not doing much about it. I’m aware of it and I know I can do better.
My focus should be somewhere else. I have many new business ideas. More than that, I do have my own business. I could make it more successful if only allocated more time for it. There is one very convenient excuse for this procrastination.
I spend 8-9 hours, 5 days a week at my regular job. I am not a coal miner. I’m a full-time software project manager, who spends his work days in front of a computer at the air-conditioned office, with free unlimited beverage/ fruits and 1-hour lunch break. As you can see it’s not a hard physical labour.
LET’S MAKE A PLAN
What it has to do with the quote I’ve mentioned at the beginning? It keeps bugging me — are my actions driven by the passion of doing or maybe it’s just a deep-root habit? Does evening routine of YouTube browsing provides enough relax, so I can truly unwind? Or I just kill the time and it makes me even more tired? Hard to define. For sure it doesn’t give me a sense of achievement.
I believe emotions fuel motivation. That’s why I came up with a new plan — to shift the focus of my evening habits to what I love doing most — solving problems. I believe I can solve any problem, no matter how hard it could be. Do you want to fly to the moon? No problem, I actually happened to know a rocket scientist. With the new approach running an onside business should become new pleasurable, evening ritual.
I HAVE ALREADY STARTED IMPLEMENTING THIS PLAN:
- For last few days I go to bed earlier — no later than 11.30.
- Instead of spending countless hours on YouTube I switched to websites that help me to improve my skills and inspire my business ideas — at least 3 hours per week.
- I spend more time on customers’ acquisition, networking, and talking to people about their needs and expectations towards project management — minimum 1 hour weekly.
- I’ve started using Fabulous, a scientifically based phone app that helps create healthy rituals — the app reminds about being consistent with new routines.
- I’ve drastically limited the number of YouTube shows to watch. It is not always easy. I do not always succeed – especially on weekends, but I try to strengthen my willpower by developing new behavior patterns.
INSANE, OR NOT?
Summing up – Does the routine equals insanity? If you have high expectations towards yourself and your life, but at the same time you don’t pay attention to your daily actions – that’s the insanity. But if you align these expectations with hard work on what you love, you have a chance of creating a routine that will lead you to achieve whatever you want from your life. I’m on my way to do it.
Originally posted at: http://www.gpsolutions.ca/does-routine-equals-insanity/