The Success Routine: How your habits can help your leadership

I love routine - so much so that some may find my life a bit rigid. I make time for meditation each morning and go for a walk after lunch every day. More recently, I’ve adopted a habit of not looking at my phone after 8 pm. No calls, emails, texts or social media till 8 am the next day - even with friends and family. And I’m in bed by 10 pm.

If you’re used to living more spontaneously, I can see how you might find routines to be boring. While it may seem constricting to have such a regimented day; give it a try! I believe my routine is a big part of why I now feel the most freedom and peace that I’ve felt in my whole career.

Any person leading a team or managing a business can tell you that leaders and entrepreneurs have enough on their plate. A carefully planned day can quickly be upended with putting out fires and managing last-minute requests. The truth is that the only thing any leader often has actual control over is their time and how they spend it. 

Though the fast-paced, super-agile work environment of today may seem productive, it is not sustainable. In today’s tech-focused workplace, leaders are more susceptible to an increased risk of burnout. Routines are a way of giving your mind a break, and studies have shown that adding routines to your day can help decrease stress, improve sleep and overall health.

I embrace routines and see them as a kind of rest stop in my day. They are a place where I can collect my thoughts, reflect, and find stillness in my mind. Being diligent about maintaining my routines is an outward expression of my values. They show those around me that I respect myself, my health, and my time.

My newest habit, the no-phone-after-8 pm rule, was not easy initially, but it was worth it. Giving myself time to really disconnect from technology has helped me be way more zen and boosted my creative thinking. It’s also had a ripple effect at home, inspiring some friends to try it too. Inspiring healthy habits? Now that’s my type of leadership. 

A structured routine is an excellent way to improve health and wellbeing both inside and outside the office. Three ways you could improve your routine to become a stronger leader could include:

1. Prioritizing your wellbeing

As in air travel and life: you need to put on your safety mask before you help anyone else. You cannot be an exceptional leader if you are not taking care of yourself. Sleeping well, eating good quality meals regularly, and taking time to recharge and relax will only increase your ability to make better decisions and manage your team.

2. Booking regular focus work periods into your calendar

Meetings will disrupt your whole day if you let them. I recommend carving time into your day to answer emails or catch up on work. Setting only two or three 30-minute admin periods can sometimes save you hours at the end of the day. Incorporating these work periods may feel odd at first, and you might even think of them frivolous, but hold your ground on keeping them there. It will pay off.

I now look forward to my work periods and keep them in my calendar even when I don’t necessarily need all of the time allotted. I often use the extra time to read an article from the industry or get ahead on projects. 

3. Scheduling time to connect with your team

In the stress of the moment, everything can feel urgent. Routine check-ins will help your team feel more connected with you and give them a space to discuss lower priority issues that may arise. These check-ins are also an excellent opportunity to work with your team to delegate tasks and communicate what you consider a high-priority problem. They don’t need to be long either. Something like 30-minute weekly one-on-ones is a great way to start connecting more regularly and intentionally. 

Final notes: If you are new to routines, I suggest you take it slow. To think you will now go off and immediately change every routine in your life is a recipe for failure. Instead, add one small new habit at a time, slowly moving toward more significant changes. Forming new habits is like building muscle, and as with anything worthwhile, it will take time. According to Phillippa Lally, a health psychology researcher at University College London, habit-forming time varies for people from 18 to 254 days. However, on average, it takes about 66 days before a habit becomes second nature. For me, it’s around 30 days, and I keep track by marking my daily completions in a notebook. 

And remember, mindset is critical. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you forget one day when you’re starting. Instead of a negative thought process such as, “I must remove this unhealthy habit from my day,” reframe that thought to be more positive, abundant, and forward-thinking like, “I am committing to improving myself by adding this one habit to my day.”

I’d love to hear about some routines that have helped you at home and work. Share your favourite routine in the comments below.