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Hi all, 2022 is 30 days from today. Are you ready? Have your plans and goals on paper? Did you accomplish everything in 2021 that you wanted too? Its been a wild ride for me. It was a great year, much better than 2020 and it has been a busy one. I feel like I accomplished everything I wanted to personally, and professionally, well, I wanted to get more done but I’m happy with my accomplishments and growth. We’ve recently spoken about what it takes to be a good leader, our time management abilities, and how procrastination is our enemy. I’ve shared how important I believe routines are a couple of times, many of you laughed at
how important I believe making my bed every morning is to me! Anyhow, I received a lot of questions about routines lately. I started seeing and reading articles on the advantages of having good strong, yet realistic, routines since about April or May, or at least that’s when I got interested in what others thought of routines. Today I wanted to share a few excerpts from an e-book I’m about to finish working on, at least a couple of thoughts or bullet points! It should be up on our website by Christmas and of course is free to you for being a WAOC listener. Each of us have routines we follow, but some routines are more successful than others. The star employee at work has a routine, as does the employee on the verge of being fired. Your slim, fit neighbor has a different routine from
your obese friend. And I believe neither is a negative. Routines are important, because much of the success is the result of small actions over long periods of time. It’s not possible to lose 50 pounds or rise from the loading to the executive suite in a week. Those with more exciting results have more effective routines. It can be that simple. What are a few of your routines? Think about the segments of your life that are repeated on a daily basis. For most of us, this will include getting ready for work, the first part of work, the last part of work, and our evening routine. You already have a routine for these parts of your life, but have you been thoughtful
about them and attempted to construct routines that help to support your goals? You might think that thirty minutes isn’t enough time to accomplish anything worthwhile. But the benefit of thirty-minute routines over months and years can be spectacular. Consistently being on time, prepared, and spending your work time intelligently and productively separates the successful from the average. Remember how I always harp on being that employee! If you think you can’t spare the time, keep in mind that you’re already spending the time and you already have routines. Purposefully constructing routines that make sense is much more effective.
I think it all starts with knowing our goals and our direction though. The odds of creating the optimal routines for your life is going be hampered if you don’t know where you’re going. A routine for a retail associate might not work for forklift operator. A marathon runner wouldn’t have the same workout routine as a bodybuilder. If you aren’t clear on your goals, take the time to give it some thought. I think it’s important that we know our goals in at least 4 areas. These are where I start each year: 1. Health/fitness. Do you need to lose some weight? Drop your blood pressure? Manage your blood sugar more effectively?
- Finances. Do you have financial goals? Are you working on your savings, and reducing debt? Are you saving for your retirement? 3.Career. What is your ideal job and salary? Do you have the training and knowledge to accomplish that? Can you get there within your current company? Are you making those career commitments? 4. Relationships. Are you happy in your relationship with your significant other? How are things between your other family members and yourself? Are your work relationships going well? Be sure to include any other areas of life that are important to you. But these 4 areas are frequently a source of stress if they’re not under control. Feel free to develop goals in every aspect of your life.
It only makes sense to develop routines around achieving your goals. Let’s consider a few routines around enhancing success in a common working environment. I love morning routines! You’ll find that if your morning gets off to a good start, the rest of the day tends to go smoothly. It sets the stage for me to have a good day and perform at my best. Most morning routines are haphazardly designed to allow for getting up as late as possible while barely getting to work on time. Does this sound like the start of a successful day? That guy is not going to be that employee! A morning that enhances success could look something like: Let’s see, I had written down a
few that I thought were important. Here we are. 1. Get up on time. Are you routinely late? Others notice, whether you realize it or not. Put your alarm clock on the other side of the room and avoid going back to bed after your feet hit the floor. Ensure you’re getting up early enough to comfortably get to work on time. Give yourself plenty of time to complete your morning routine and set your alarm clock appropriately. 2. Morning hygiene. Is your grooming appropriate for your goals? You might be acceptable for your current position but are you acceptable for the position of your dreams? Avoid being the person that shaves every other day or refuses to give up the haircut that went out of style 15 years ago.
- Brush your teeth and floss each day. These are important for your appearance and your health. 4.Review your goals. This is a great time to remind yourself of the things you’re trying to accomplish. How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution, only to forget it a week later? Keep your mind focused on the prize by reviewing them each day. 5. Eat an appropriate breakfast. Ask any of my friends, I take my breakfast seriously! What’s appropriate is dependent on your objectives. Give it some thought and make wise choices. 6. Meditate or pray. Put your mind in a good place before your workday begins. It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate, just do what needs to be done to feel confident, focused, and relaxed.
- Make sure you have everything you need for work. Do you have the required PPE’s? Have your Lunch or Lunch money? Your proper footwear. Do a quick check before heading out the door. 8.Take one last look in the mirror. Do you look your best? Did part of your breakfast find its way to your shirt? Do your socks and shoes match? Is our mind in the right place. Think of it as a last check before starting your workday. Most of us have to get ready for work several days a week. Have you ever taken the time to optimize your morning routine? If you haven’t, it’s highly unlikely that your routine is supporting your objectives. Morning routines can be the most challenging to alter. You’re likely tired, pressed for time,
and at least a little disgruntled about going to work. But that’s what makes a morning routine so important. It’s an easy way to outperform the person on the other pallet jack or the guy working on the other load. You don’t have to outrun the bear. You just have to outrun your hiking partner right! Arrive at work a little better prepared, a little more energetic and cheerful, and looking your best. A slight improvement in many areas can be easily achieved and make a huge difference. Making small changes over time will improve the likelihood of lasting change. Add one thing to your morning routine until it becomes easy to perform. Continue adding tasks until your
routine is complete and is something you are comfortable with. Next let’s look at our work routine. A general work routine is difficult to recommend due to the wide variety of careers. My work routine may be way different than yours. A morning work routine for an equipment operator is going to be different than an inventory control clerk. An appropriate morning routine should enhance your workday and take care of the routine critical tasks. Gather the information you need in the morning to make more informed decisions about how to best spend your time and energy. During our morning start up meetings we may learn our case
counts, our shift objectives for the day and a wealth of other information that we can use to create our daily plan. An example of a morning work routine for a manager could be: 1. Chat with your supervisor. Ideally, your supervisor will have a routine that includes informing you of the shifts happenings. 2. Greet everyone else on the team. It’s so important to take a few minutes to say hi to everyone that works for you or influences your team’s efforts. Everyone likes to feel important. It’s also a great way to get the scoop on everything that’s going on. 3. Give your email a quick look. Most email is varying degrees of worthless noise, but there are often a few that are important. Find these important emails and make a plan to address them.
- Check your voicemail. A few people do still use the phone to communicate. I am one of them! See if anything important is going on. 5.Update your to-do list. Alter your to-do list based on your morning communications and messages. You all know how I love journaling and planning! 6. Be sure your list is still prioritized. Many things seem urgent in the morning, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are important. Everything is an emergency to someone, but is it an emergency for you? 7. Prepare for the morning staff meeting. The meetings that happen every day are a great way to make a good impression with your peers. Your preparation for these meetings has a huge impact on the way you’re perceived. If you’re under-prepared
or can’t answer the important questions, your reputation is going to suffer. 8. Get started on your first to-do item. Getting some real work done early in the day creates momentum for the rest of the day. Your prioritized list is your guide for your time and efforts. A good morning at work increases the odds of having a good day. Reflect on your current routine and consider how it can be enhanced. Spend your morning effectively and the rest of your day is likely to be productive and stress-free. We’ve had a productive and successful shift so now we’ll need to have a end of work day routine right? Most of us are frantically working until a lull near the end of the workday permits escape. However, how you end your workday
has an influence on tomorrow. A late afternoon routine can enhance your effectiveness and success at work. Take advantage of the lull that commonly happens in the afternoon and get ready for tomorrow. Use your afternoon effectively: 1. Tie up any loose ends. Few things weigh on our minds more than unfinished business. Afternoons tend to be a little slower for most of us. Focus on getting things completed, get the plate set for the next shift, and clear our mind. 2. Create a new to-do list. Your list of critical tasks is always evolving. Before clocking out for the day, create a new list for the following day. Some leftover items from today’s list may or may not make it on
the new list. Again, the importance of journaling! 3. Ensure that you’re prioritizing your list in a way that makes sense and highlight the 3-5 most important items. 4. Check-out with your boss. There’s a good chance they’ll have a comment or two that will impact your task list. 5. Maintaining regular communications is important. 6. Check-in with your direct reports and co-workers. Gather as much information as you can without taking too much time. Focus on getting critical information. In time, your employees and peers will learn to provide what you need from them. 7. Schedule 10-15 minutes at the end of each day to tidy up. Getting a fresh start in the morning is priceless.
- Check email. Make one last pass at your email and address anything important. Delete as much as possible. 9.Check voicemail. Same for your voicemail. In fact, voicemail items tend to be more important than those communicated by email, especially at the end of the day. 10. Say goodbye to everyone. You’re likely to be happier and more fulfilled if you take the time to end the day by saying goodbye. I think that others appreciate the effort, too. Attempt to say something positive to each person. 11. Utilize the trip home. Whether you’re on a bus, subway, or in your car, you probably have a significant amount of time at your disposal. You might use it to listen to a book on tape that will further your career. Listening to music that helps you
unwind is good, too. Just ensure the time is being used effectively. I love flipboard, so I’m usually winding down with a few articles! Consistently doing things that others won’t do is a common theme on the road to success. A good plan and a fresh to-do list will work wonders for your mood and productivity. Now a specific morning and evening work routine won’t work for everyone, there are common themes though that are important to consider for nearly any career. 1. Be motivated 2. Avoid isolating yourself. Communication with others is going to make you successful 3. Avoid distractions and drama. Do not get wrapped up in others drama! It is a waste of time.
- Get a little exercise, it’ll help. Keep that blood moving! 5.Sleep. Our rest is important. Keep these items in mind when creating your work routine. Start working your routine as soon as you walk in the door. Get busy on important work and find out what you need to know for the rest of the day. And of course we have to end our day. Wrapping up your day in a thoughtful and effective way is just as important as starting it well. Your evening routine should support your goals and help to set up the following day. If you haven’t consciously developed your evening routine, you’re missing out on a key success tool.
- Relax. Take part in an activity that provides mental relaxation. Reading, watching TV, listening to music, or taking a walk are just a few options. You know what relaxes you. Do it for at least 30 minutes. 2.Spend time on a hobby. Success isn’t just about your career. Being successful also means having some leisure time to spend on something that you genuinely enjoy. If you’ve ever dreamt of playing the violin or learning to knit, it’s important to schedule the time. 3. Choose your clothes for the next day. Avoid running around in the morning searching for clean socks or a shirt that matches your pants. Pick out your clothes while there’s still time to do laundry. 4. Learn something that will further your career. Most people reach a certain level at work and then stop learning. How many
people do you know that spend even 10 minutes a day getting better at their jobs? 5. You could learn how to be a more effective communicator or how to be more organized. Think about your weaknesses and learn something that will address them. No one else is doing it, which is exactly why you should be. 6. Review your to-do list. Give your list a quick glance before going to bed. Add any important tasks that need to be completed tomorrow. You’ll wake up knowing exactly what needs to be done. 7. Review your goals. Before turning out the light, take a moment to review your goals. Sleeping after focusing on your goals is very powerful. You’re instructing your brain to find solutions that will make your dreams come true.
- And this one is my hardest to adhere to. Go to bed on time. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep to be maximally effective. If you’re sleeping significantly longer on the weekends than you are during the week, you’re probably not going to bed early enough. Try to level out your sleep schedule. How tired are you in the morning? Going to bed earlier could be your solution. End your day with a routine that makes having a successful day more likely. Consider your goals and responsibilities at work and then develop a routine that supports those endeavors. Everyone else will be watching TV while you’re laying the foundation to get ahead.
Well, I went a little long today but I hope I brought up something that helps you with planning your routines for 2022. If we can help in any way just shoot us an email to host@warehouseandoperationsasacareer.com and we’ll get back in touch with you. Be sure to check out the website at the end of the month and download the newest ebook for free. Until next week, plan, get those goals set, and take 30 minutes to plan your success every day. Put safety first while were at work people.