Routine enables routine

I'm coming to realize that long term goals are achieved by lots of small decisions and actions along the way. I guess I always knew this but it is becoming clearer as I try to stick with the goals I have set.

I went to Auckland, NZ, for 8 days getting back yesterday. I knew that I couldn't go to my gym for that week but I also knew that there were several exercises that I could do in the motel room that were consistent with the Pilates and weights routine I am trying to establish. So I had a vague plan to do these exercises every other day or something. Well I am here to tell you now that since it was only a vague plan that there were only vague exercises. I set out to do them on two nights and only really gave it a good go on one of those. Even small amounts of alcohol are inhibitors for achievement.

Not to say I didn't get some exercise in. I did play a round of golf on what I will happily describe as a very forgiving course and also quite a flat one. That was around four (4) hours of walking and hitting followed by a BBQ and some beer/wine that probably undid any benefit from the walking. Oh well. That turned into a late night which left me less motivated the next day. I walked around 5km the day after golf just to get out of the motel and get some lunch.

I also had every intention of writing every week night. I managed two nights not six. Why? Well there were some nights when I was otherwise engaged with dinner or drinks and some where I was actively travelling. All good excuses but still they distracted me from my goal.

I have been Coke Zero free for around three weeks now and it turns out that has been the easiest change to persist with.

So what am I learning from all of this? Routine is an enabler of more routine. Back in a familiar environment and into my simple routine of getting up and going into my office off the bedroom has allowed me to slip back into going to the gym today (and I feel good about that). When I was away the entire daily routine was so different from my home routine that it was really easy to just not do the little things that contribute to the bigger goals.

The other thing I'm learning, again, is that goals are just that. Something you aim for that is achievable. If you don't hit the small goal and it is still meaningful then don't beat yourself up over missing it and recommit to it for next time remembering that it is a promise to yourself and not just idle words.