One of the keys to successful daily life management is to build routines into your daily life. A routine is a regular sequence of actions that you repeat each day at the same time. Creating a routine helps to build a habit. Habits require less thought, memory and planning. They occur naturally and easily because they a part of your daily routine.

The three routines that we strongly encourage are:

Evening Routine (preparation for a good night’s sleep)

Morning Routine (preparation for your day)

Daily planning session (daily review of your tasks, schedule and goals)

In future articles, we’ll talk more about routines. Today, we’re going to focus on your evening routine.

Evening Routine

Your evening routine is a sequence of small tasks that prepare you for a good night’s sleep and for the day ahead. Create your evening routine as a task with a checklist. It might look something like this:

Evening Routine - 1 hour 20 m. (This routine should begin no later than 9:40 PM)

1. Gather all items you’ll need tomorrow and place them where you’ll see them as you leave for work or school in the morning. - 10 m.
2. Make lunch for tomorrow - 5 m.
3. Tidy kitchen and living areas - 10 m.
4. Lay out clothes to wear in morning - 5 m.
5. Take shower - 10 m.
6. Brush teeth - 5 m.
7. Prepare for bed - 5 m.
8. Read for ½ hour - 30 m.
9. Light out - 11 PM

There are three important “rules” for a good evening routine:

1. Do advance preparation for tomorrow so that you’re prepared to be productive.
2. No “screen time” (TV or computer) for one hour before lights out (to promote good sleep habits).
3. Lights out early enough for adequate sleep (7 hours, minimally).

Remember: If you want to have a good day tomorrow, start with a good evening routine tonight!