Jan
6
Renew Your Routines
Alarm clock goes off, and I get up. My running clothes, socks, shoes, are already laid out. I take care of the usual morning basics…bathroom, brush the teeth, etc. I have my oatmeal, bananas, and smoothie. Next, I mix my sports drink and load up my hydration belt. Lace up my shoes, pack a few bucks and my house key, turn on my Ipod, and I’m out the door. This is my Saturday morning long run routine.
To athletes, or any other type of performer, routines are a special thing. Routines provide a sense of structure and stability. Engaging in a performance routine provides us a focus that allows us to get mentally turned on for the activity we’re about to take on. Sure, some routines are based in superstition. There are athletes who always wear the exact same pair of socks and eat the same meals because they once had a great game on the day they wore and ate those exact items. While I would never discourage anyone from believing in their superstitions, I feel that we are better served by routines grounded in mental preparation.
So in the spirit of the new year, here are some tips for incorporating routines to your area of performance or to help stick to those resolutions.
Just remember PREP!
1. Put it on paper
Just like I recommend for goal-setting, you should write down your routines on paper. It serves as a checklist. Again, this helps eliminate the worry and stress over details that take away from the focus you should be putting into your actual activity. Soon, you’ll have the checklist memorized, but you’ll also find new areas of life where you will want to implement some other routines.
2. Refine to simplify
You don’t want a routine that takes hours to complete. Look for ways to simplify your routine so that it will be easier to remember and doesn’t become cumbersome to where you actually want to spend your energy–your performance.
3. Eliminate distractions
Whether you’re training for a marathon or traveling the country for major sales meetings, the last thing you want to be distracted by are the pesky details. Where are my shoes? What I am going to eat? These are issues you don’t want to waste energy on and stress over, and exactly how routines can help. If you incorporate these details into your pre-performance routines, you won’t lose your focus on the important task.
4. Prepare for the worst
I think this is one very important step that many folks tend to overlook. I’m a firm believer that optimism is a powerful thing, but sometimes reality doesn’t interact well with our best intentions.What if your routine gets interrupted? What if the airline loses the luggage that has your marathon shoes or that sales presentation you have to give? Every routine should have a good back up plan.
Good luck in whatever routines you develop this year. Let me know how it goes.
Have a great 2011!
