“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
A morning cup of coffee is part of my daily routine. What about you? I don’t think about whether or not I will have a cup of coffee. I know that I will. I’ve already thought about it. That gives my brain space to just wake up and make other decisions.
That’s the importance of developing routines. I like to call them rhythms for growth. When you have already decided what is important and what you will do, your brain is free to be creative. I can’t quote science on it, but I’ve experienced it. Those rhythms are structures we have created unintentionally and intentionally that help us do the things that are important to us.
Structure guides growth and helps you achieve your goals. Why do you need structure to achieve your goals?
Structure keeps you in your lane. You know where you want to go. The structure of routines keeps you going in the right direction.
Have you ever thought about why there are lines on the road? They exist to help keep people safe. The white lines on the side of the road help drivers keep from drifting. The yellow lines in the middle help drivers remain on the correct side of the road but also give signals of what is safe or not in that area. Lined highways protect drivers from smashing into each other. I especially appreciate the dotted lines in turn lanes. Sometimes a lot of traffic is disorienting. Those lines guide me to turn into the correct lane amidst the busyness of an intersection.
Your personal rhythms, systems and routines can help you achieve your goals in the same way road lines help me make disorienting turns.
Routines remind you of the important things. Routines may seem boring at times, but routines remind you of the important things you have decided to do. A bedtime routine reminds you of what needs to be done for your health and to set you up for the next day. A morning routine reminds you of what sets you up for a successful day.
Because morning coffee is an important part of our morning routine, I have created a routine to make sure it is ready for us when we wake. I realized I was not remembering to preset the coffee until bedtime. When I am tired and ready for bed, I don’t want to have to take those extra steps. So, I added presetting the morning coffee to my dinner cleanup activities. It’s important to us, so I created a structure that reminds me to get it done.
That’s a simple illustration of how routines work to help you keep doing the things that will help you achieve your goals. Your routines can remind you and keep you on track.
Routines provide structure and structure helps you accomplish your goals. Zigzags might eventually get you to your desired destination, but a straight route gets you there faster. That’s what routines and structure do for you.
I don’t have ADD but that doesn’t mean I don’t get distracted. I do. Often. Something comes up, or the phone rings, or a text message comes in. I stop what I am doing to pay attention to that and then lose track of what I was doing to begin with. I eventually remember what I was doing and go back to it. I eventually finish it, but routines remind me of what I planned and help me stay on track. When you have structure, you have already said yes to a certain activity. You’ve already determined what you want to do. That predetermined yes gives you a guide for an in-the-moment no. That helps you stay on track.
My morning routine includes my Bible reading plans, a time of silence and then writing. I’ve set my devices to minimize sound distractions but, since I use my iPad for reading and writing I still get distracted. Those little red notification bubbles demand to be cleared! My structure reminds me that those have to wait until after I have completed the routine. Do I do that perfectly? No. But because I have structure, I know what I need to do to stay on track. I have already decided.
Dear friend, those goals you set are important to you. You believe they are things God has called you to accomplish. Rhythms for growth can help you stay in your lane, remind you to do what’s important and give you structure to keep making progress toward accomplishing them. You can do this!
Key Question: Why does structure help you achieve your goals?
A Scripture to Consider: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
A YES Challenge: Review the goals you have set. Prayerfully develop routine that will keep you on track for one of those goals.
Prayer: Father, I want to be and do all that You created me to be and do. Help me develop routines that keep me growing in the right direction. Show me how to develop structures that align with Your purpose for me. You are a God of order. Help me to order my life for Your honor and glory. Amen.
