A Morning Routine Cannot Start Right After Awakening

It’s essential to allow some time to fully wake up. Consequently, that 2-minute gratitude task actually requires nearly 10 minutes.

Transitioning Between Tasks Is Not Seamless

We aren’t machines that can switch tasks without interruption. Life happens—we might interact with family, get distracted by a phone call, or need a quick bathroom break.

After brushing my teeth, I had a brief conversation with my dad, which extended the next task from an estimated 5 minutes to over 15. That said, I wouldn’t suggest avoiding family interactions; no productivity goal is worth isolating yourself.

Non-Task Activities Must Be Considered

Completing a task encompasses more than just the action itself; it includes preparation and cleanup. These additional steps can often double the time required. For instance, "Drinking Coffee" is not just about sipping from the cup—it involves locating the ingredients, brewing, and washing the cup afterward.

Another example is writing. If I allocate 2 hours to draft this article, it first takes time to turn on my laptop, open my browser, and navigate to the writing platform before I can even start typing.

Moreover, I must factor in the time to generate ideas, conduct research, and find suitable references.

When I finish writing, I need to tag my work, add images, include links, and submit it. Afterward, I must log out, shut down my laptop, and turn off any lights or fans. These seemingly minor tasks can accumulate quickly, transforming a 12-minute routine into a half-hour process, which disrupts subsequent tasks.

This can become problematic if you have a fixed schedule. If you're required to catch a train or arrive at work at a specific time, you might have to skip or rush tasks to stay on track.

When I had early lectures at 7 AM, I mistakenly believed 30 minutes would suffice to get ready, allowing myself to sleep in. However, I often found it impossible to complete everything in that brief window, leading to skipped breakfasts.

Delays Should Be Anticipated

Even if everything goes according to plan, some factors remain beyond our control. You might follow your schedule perfectly, yet face unexpected delays such as a late bus, a flat tire, sudden illness, or an urgent request from a friend or family member.

How can one prepare for such occurrences? Often, we don’t account for them at all.

If I have a 10 AM deadline and anticipate needing 2 hours to complete a task, starting at 8 AM is unwise. What if the internet slows down? What if there’s a power outage? What if an unexpected phone call disrupts my focus?

Additionally, sitting still for extended periods isn’t healthy, so I should incorporate breaks to hydrate, stretch, or move around. These activities will consume valuable time from my planned 2 hours.

Without considering these potential setbacks and the other issues I've discussed (like seamless task transitions and accounting for non-tasks), I risk running late even when I am fully focused and productive during those hours.

Now, picture each task being interrupted in this manner. Skipping tasks, rushing through them, or feeling overwhelmed can easily derail your morning routine.

I grappled with this for years until I recognized that my routines were ineffective due to poor design.

Designing Effective Morning Routines

I wish I could provide a definitive guide to rectify this issue, but there is no universal solution for crafting your day.

As a psychology student, I assist individuals in navigating these challenges. Ultimately, only you can determine what suits you best. Everyone has unique needs and work styles, making you the foremost expert on what works for you.

Nonetheless, there are some general strategies that may be beneficial:

• Evaluate Your Time Usage

  Utilize time tracking tools to assess how you allocate your time. You might be surprised to discover that your 5 minutes spent on social media actually consumes much longer.

• Incorporate Buffer Times in Your Schedule

  Avoid scheduling tasks back-to-back. Transitioning from yoga to typing on a laptop requires moments to prepare. Include these intervals between tasks to enhance flow.

• Set Realistic Expectations for Your Routine

  Trying to meditate, journal, exercise, have breakfast, and tackle important tasks all in one morning is unrealistic. Don’t impose such pressure on yourself to achieve everything daily.

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