Using the Fractal Planner's Routine Builders
Or, Staying on track with routines
One of my favorite features of The Fractal Planner is the routine builder.
You've probably heard of routine building. Some refer to it as creating systems. James Clear1 calls it habit stacking. Ali Abdaal2 calls it an implementation intention. It's all the same thing.
My Morning Routine
As an example, I use the following routine for a good start to my mornings:
It all starts with my toothbrush. I keep it in the kitchen.
Also, at night, I put out my exercise mat just inside the front door. It faces east, so that's where I get morning light. I put my walking shoes next to the mat.
I keep a stack of books next to my reading chair.
Now, when I wake up, I go to the kitchen to brush my teeth. That leads me to filling a glass with water. I start sipping.
Then I open the front door and stand in the morning light for a while.
After that, my stretching routine begins. I continue sipping water. I finish stretching.
And what do you know? My walking shoes are right there. Since I'm already loosened up and moving, I put them on and go for a walk. It's usually not a long walk. It's just a way to get some fresh air and more morning sun.
Before walking out the door, I put the kettle on. When I get back, I make some tea and sit to do some reading.
That completes my morning routine.
I often think of it as a line of standing dominoes. Once the first one gets knocked down, the rest fall more easily.
Another way of looking at it is this:
Before/after/when/while/if I do X, then I will do Y.
So:
When I wake up, I will brush my teeth.
Before I brush my teeth, I will fill a glass with water.
After I brush my teeth, I will drink water.
While finishing my glass of water, I will stand in the morning sun.
After some sun, I will start stretching.
After stretching, I will put the kettle on and take a walk.
After my walk, I will make tea and sit and read.
To make the routine flow smoothly, I've put another domino along the path—a glass of water, a mat, my shoes, etc.
On/Off Track
When I'm not making progress on my targets, it's often for one of two reasons:
I don't have a routine in place, or
I've stopped following my routines.
That's when I turn back to my routine builder page and either develop a new routine or remind myself about the routines I’ve already created.
R. Maurice Ledesma
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The Etsy Experiment