Priorities throughout the course of the day can change. Leaders need to respond to the most urgent and important matters as they crop up. This continual reprioritization can throw a wrench into plans and habits. Leaders often lose a sense of control over their time as a result of attending to people and what they need most.
The busier the workday and the more complex the organization, the more likely it is that the leader must engage fluidly with matters that arise. Losing control over their own tasks and priorities can be both unsettling and frustrating. Good leaders must learn to cope with this reality.
Taking charge of the day is always possible at the bookends, the beginning and ending of the day. Creating rituals that provide meaning, solace, and enjoyment at the start and end of the day creates a foundation from which leaders can find the stability and consistency they crave.
Morning and evening routines allow leaders to stay centered and grounded. They also help to alleviate stress. So, consider establishing a routine for the first 30 minutes after rising for the day. Execute this routine before checking news and email and responding to others.
Anything that lubricates the mind and sets a positive tone for the day might contribute to a morning routine. Consider ideas like digital word games, stretching, spending time with a pet, brewing a great cup of coffee or tea, listening to a podcast, meditating, making a to-do list, listening to music, perusing the calendar, and taking a brisk walk. Repeating the same routine every morning tells your brain you’re ready to tackle the day with vigor and with a positive frame of mind.
The PM bookend constitutes the last 30 minutes before retiring for the day. To alleviate the stress from the day, consider activities like stretching, taking a bath or shower, journaling, sending a thank-you, visualizing a happy episode, practicing deep breathing, reading a book or poetry, speaking with a friend or family member, reflecting quietly about the day with a common question, and brainstorming ideas. Doing this every evening in a ritualized way also tells your mind and body that you are ready to rest.
Creating bookend routines gives leaders the opportunity to maintain complete control over the most important parts of the day. This can be powerfully transformational, helping to create a sense of balance and continuity to days that seem to blur from so many tasks and issues. Consider creating bookend routines and rituals that work for you.
