Need help with maintaining a routine

[XRV]

I would really like some advice on how to start and MAINTAIN a routine properly.
The last month for has been a very powerful month. Powerful because I feel more in control than ever before. It's been a month since I've quit smoking and the confidence that I draw from that extends to other areas of my life.

I have great desire for three areas of development.

1. Memory development
2. Vocal training/singing
3. Body-building

I have ample resources at my disposal for become an 'expert' in all of the above. Its easy and fun to create new routines, but maintaining a single one is the ultimate challenge. Any advice on how to follow up a 'concrete' routine would be greatly appreciated.

[sidsavara]

I think the key to a routine is having a set time when you focus on things. I recently published an article you may be interested in, as I had similar problems - how do I focus on separating my social life from my goals? My solution was to put my goals first: wake up early, do them first thing in the morning.

More Important than Money - Paying Myself First With My Time — SidSavara.com

[Cristal Lilly]

have you tried the 30 day challenge thingie? supposedly it creates a new habit for you .

so you want to have x in your life now. (x=whatever routine you picked)
besides the 30 day challenge, I'd also recommend you do x every day at the same time. supposedly this makes it easier for you to make it a habit. also, if you can do it in the same place too, that's supposed to also help reinforce it.

also, you can try creating an accountability system in your friends. assign checking up on you to a friend, if that's possible. they're supposed to call you up every day just before your time to do x and make sure you're gonna go through with it.
or alternatively, group up with friends. pick the most responsible person you know and try and work on x with them. sign up for singing classes with them, or agree to be their gym partner, or sign up for learning a new language with them (for memory training thingie).

if nothing else works, tell them that for every session of x you miss, you owe them 50$ (or whatever amount is appropriate for you). you go broke a couple of times and then voila you're suddenly responsible (cause being broke means being bored and hungry and that just sucks real bad) . maybe put up a big board with a table on it where you have to write down your own attendance or lack there of.
you can set up a system of rewarding yourself for every session you attend, too.. even if it's just a pat on the back.

I hope any of this helps

[dannielo]

Pick the most important one and do it in the morning, the one that will have the most leverage on your success. From the list I suppose it's Vocal training/singing.

If you can make all of them, all the better, but start with the most important not with the most pleasurable.

And for keeping track of your progress you can use checklists, I use those from http://www.gtdagenda.com application.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by sidsavara

I think the key to a routine is having a set time when you focus on things. I recently published an article you may be interested in, as I had similar problems - how do I focus on separating my social life from my goals? My solution was to put my goals first: wake up early, do them first thing in the morning.

More Important than Money - Paying Myself First With My Time — SidSavara.com

It's funny because a few months ago I realized I was so out of shape I couldn't take it anymore, but by the time I got home from work, I was too tired to exercise so I forced myself to start getting up at 5:45 am to get to the gym by 6:15am. It changed everything! I have so much energy now in the morning it's crazy. I'm even starting to get other things done after the workout. I totally agree with your ideas.