Now that the fall season has begun, it is time to rethink some habits and routines you have in your life. A great way to start doing this is with your schedule. You don’t need to completely change everything, but small adjustments can help a lot with your productivity, health, and happiness.
Keep What is Working, Ditch What Isn’t
One way to optimize your routine and schedule in the fall is to assess what is working and what isn’t. You probably have some routines that you started as a way to experiment or by the guidance of other people, but didn’t realize they weren’t really benefiting you. Now is the time to reassess and figure out what you are doing because you enjoy it, and what you are doing out of pure habit.
As you go through your day, write down what you do, why you do it, and how it helps you. Anything that seems pointless to you can be crossed off your list.
Set Some Health and Life Goals
Next, think about the goals you have, including daily goals. What do you want to accomplish this week? What are some of your life goals? How do you want to improve your health? Be as detailed as possible with the goals you have and WHY you have them. Do these ideas spark joy? Do you feel inspired when you think about them? How will you feel when you accomplish them?
Understanding more about your motivation behind certain goals or dreams in your life really helps you to stick with it.
Think About Your Annual Goals
You can then think a little further in time, with annual or 5-year plans. This can help you get the best schedule in the fall and beyond to really optimize your time. By having long-term goals, you can better create a plan now to accomplish them, including adding the tasks to your schedule.
Schedule More Self-Care Time
Remember fall is also about rest and recharging, so you want to schedule in time for self-care and relaxation. Try to find time in your busy schedule for resting and self-care. It can be as simple as reading a chapter from your book before bed or having 10 minutes of pampering time during the day. Self-care can be every day, a few days a week, or just weekly if that’s all you have time for.
