While just bringing to a close one of the greatest summers of my life, I have to admit, I’m really feeling good about the power of a routine.
Don’t get me wrong, this past summer was the best I’d ever spent with my wife and children. We went to more places, did more fun things, and had more shareable and lifetime experiences and memories than any other time in our lives. We were in different states, different countries, and different time zones – all culminating with a final farewell trip to the beach right before getting back to school.
But now that we are back in school – and actually for once, every one of my kids is going to some form of regular school – I have to admit, a few weeks in, that it is really great to have the power of a routine. Going to bed a little earlier. Waking up a little earlier. Having a set list of priorities and tasks every day that don’t exist in summer. Things like taking kids to school when I’m in town and picking kids up from dance and various sporting activities really make me relish how great it is to have a routine.
I think as people we have a routine mindset. We are better when not left to our own distractions and devices. Generating the power of a routine can be great in so many ways.
In a way it’s refreshing, but in a way it’s also very disciplining to know that you’ve got a new list of responsibilities every day that you cannot avoid. It’s been a really great summer, a really magical time in my life. However, I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of weeks of just getting back to simple, simple routines.