#productivity A routine is a sequence of activities performed within a specific timeframe. A habit is something you do often and regularly, with particular trigger and result. People often mix these two things up. Habit is like "if … , then …". For example, if I go to the washroom, I wash my hands. If I wake up, I tidy my bed. If I finish breakfast, I plan my day. If I sleep, I don't watch my phone and keep it far from me. Habits are not bound by time; they are simply triggered by specific situations. In contrast, routines consist of a series of activities that occur within a specific timeframe. For example, I wake up at 8am everyday. From 8am to 9am, I clean up myself → tidy my room → have breakfast / read my bible → plan my day → ready to work. Routines and habits are both reusable procedures that help people enhance productivity by eliminating the need for conscious decision-making. As routines and habits are repeated, people expect consistent and observable results. Developing a routine is challenging and only few people can successfully develop their routine. Developing a routine needs high level of self-discipline. But every time I think of this word, what does it mean by self-discipline? For a people who don't know self-discipline, is there a systematic way to practice it? Turns out people often ignore the relationship of routine and habit. Habits serve as building blocks for routines since routines consist of chains of habits within a specific timeframe. People often have numerous bad habits, which can hinder the development of a good routine. Therefore, transitioning from bad habits to desirable ones is necessary to establish a productive routine. Reshaping habits gradually is the key to this transition. It's crucial to recognize that habits, both good and bad, are formed through repetition and reinforcement. A bad habit isn't just a reflection of a person's character or willpower; it's often a learned response to a particular trigger, offering a certain reward. To reshape habits effectively, consider the following steps: 1. Identify triggers that prompt the bad habits. 2. Choose substitute actions for the bad habits. 3. Make small changes incrementally. 4. Plan for and manage obstacles in advance. Additionally, several techniques can aid in reshaping habits: 1. Define clear and measurable goals for your habits. 2. Create a structured plan by breaking down your habits into "if..., else..." statements and practice them one by one. 3. Learn to say no to temptation. 4. Monitor your progress using a habit tracker. 5. Find someone to hold you accountable. By replacing bad habits with good ones, you can gradually develop a routine. A routine, which consists of positive habits strung together in a sequence, becomes easier to establish once the individual habit components are in place and feel natural.