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How to Build a Daily Routine That Works for You

5 Steps to Organize Your Schedule and Stick to It

Figuring out how to create a daily routine that works for you—and how to stick to it—can take some time. What should your perfect daily routine contain? That depends on your needs. Figure out what you have to get done and when. You also need to be honest about your lifestyle, including your bandwidth and time-management abilities, to create a reasonable work routine you can stick to.

Here are five steps to help you make a daily routine for yourself, even if you've never had one.

  1. Make a List

    Figuring out how to write a daily routine begins by writing down everything you need to get done daily, both at home and at work. Don’t worry about how you organize this list; this is a brain dump, not a to-do list. Simply jot down everything you do each day, as well as everything you should get done.

    If you feel like it's too hard to remember all the tasks in one sitting, carry around a notebook to take notes throughout the day. No task is too small—if you want to work "brush teeth" into your daily routine, put it on the list.

    making a to do list
    The Spruce / Ruthie Darling
  2. Structure Your Day

    Early birds tend to get things done most effectively before lunchtime while night owls get their burst of energy in the evenings. Think about when you work best. Then, group your tasks into the time of day that makes the most sense for when you will efficiently complete them.

    • Mornings: Mornings are often about getting out the door, which can be its own challenge. Group all your early tasks, such as feeding and walking pets, preparing breakfast, or putting dinner in the slow cooker. For the rest of the morning, consider tasks you'll want to do while you're still fresh. Also, think about tasks that you tend to dread or procrastinate starting. Schedule them for the morning, so they're not looming over you all day.
    • Midday: This is a tricky time of day because your energy levels—and perhaps the caffeine from your morning coffee—have likely dissipated. This is a good time to do the boring, routine stuff that doesn't take a lot of brainpower. Use midday time for tasks like answering emails, setting appointments, and running errands. If you are based at home during the day, it's a good time to handle routine cleaning, such as emptying and loading the dishwasher or scrubbing the bathroom.
    • Evening: Evenings work best for planning and preparing for the next day. Lay out your clothes, pack lunches, and declutter the spaces that tend to be drop zones, such as mail piles.
    work from home time
    ​The Spruce / Ruthie Darling
  3. Get Specific (Optional)

    Get as specific as you want with your outline of tasks. For example, write a daily morning routine that looks something like this to account for time:

    • 6:00: Wake up, shower
    • 6:30: Breakfast, brush teeth
    • 7:00: Leave the house
    • 7:15: Drop off kids at school
    • 7:30: Arrive at the office

    You might prefer that level of detail—at least until you get the hang of your routine.

    making a very detailed list
    ​The Spruce / Ruthie Darling 
  4. Schedule Time for Flexibility

    The goal of creating a daily routine is to harness your most productive hours for challenging tasks and your least productive hours for mundane tasks. But life happens so prepare for unplanned events by keeping some flexible free time within your routine.

    For instance, you might have a doctor's appointment during your usual work time. Or you have a social gathering at the time you typically prep the next day's lunches. Scheduling blocks of free time into your daily routine helps you shift tasks around while keeping things flowing smoothly in spite of atypical events and you'll never feel pressed for time.

    taking a break
    ​The Spruce / Ruthie Darling
  5. Test Drive Your New Routine

    Once you've created your daily routine, take it for a test drive. Ask yourself:

    • How does your daily routine feel? 
    • Did you schedule your tasks at times that make sense? 
    • Do you need to adjust anything? 

    Commit to the routine for at least 30 days. Tweak any scheduling that isn't working out. Once your tasks are slotted into the right spots, sticking to your daily routine will be easier.

    test driving your routine for 30 days
    The Spruce / Ruthie Darling

Creating a daily routine can seem daunting, but you will soon reap the rewards when your productivity soars, morning meltdowns are reduced, and you suddenly have pockets of free time. Nothing is written in stone. Keep tweaking as things change in your life. Follow the same steps you used to create your initial routine to form new and productive habits.