Why flexibility is your friend. And we're not talking about touching your toes

One of the keys to long-term success with wellness & performance is the ability to be flexible in your approach.  

Being able to identify routines that work for you is a great skill.  One that saves you time and energy.  

If you spend some time establishing your ideal morning routine, the weekly activity plan that fits your schedule, where you’ll be and what you’ll be eating and also your best sleep routine, and pre-sleep routine, and how to manage your energy and time for your best deep work, you don’t have to make so many decisions as you make your way through each day and week. 

Decision fatigue can be a real challenge so if you ‘automate’ a lot of your healthy habits, you leave plenty of brain space and energy for making the really important decisions.

There is also great value in maintaining flexibility in your mindset.  

Here’s why.

Flexibility eases pressure

Routines are great but can sometimes be obsessive to the point where if you’re unable to execute your desired routines life can become quite stressful.  And no-one does their best work when stressed. 

Planning ahead really helps here so you can see in advance when your preferred routines will help you and when, and how, you may need to adapt these routines.  Adaptation feels positive and in control. Abandoning your whole routine only makes it tougher to get back on track the next day.

Flexibility = growth mindset

For every circumstance that frustrates your reliable routines, there will be an opportunity to try something new and think about how you’re approaching your ultimate objectives in a different way. 

Life is unpredictable but if you know for sure that you’re able to stay on track under all circumstances it can really boost your confidence. This is evidence that you’re living with a growth mindset.

Flexibility can increase motivation

Following fixed routines ALL the time can become monotonous leading to a drop in motivation which usually results in slowed or stalled results. 

Adapting to circumstances or maybe even just how you feel on the day can allow you step outside of the monotony for a while and then return with renewed motivation the next day or the next week.

Flexibility means more fun

It is possible to get so caught up in pre-planned routines that it can compromise spontaneity.

If you have your weekend planned to cater for the routines that you like but are then suddenly presented by family or friends with a great offer to do something completely different, it’ll probably be a good idea to go with family / friends option. 

If you’re not convinced, step back for a moment and think about which option you’ll look back on more fondly in the future.  Will it be another weekend of executing tried and tested routines, or will it be a weekend full of new adventures?