“The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.” – Mike Murdoch
Life always dishes out unexpected happenings. It does not matter how organized we are, or how well-planned we are, things will inevitably take an unseen turn. It is as true of the weather as it is of the people we know and love. The good news is that twists and turns do not have to throw us for a loop.
When we create reliable routines and structure in our lives, we can lean back on the familiar when we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory. It is not so important that our behaviors make sense to others as it is that they help us stay on track with our own hopes and desires. Dealing with change is something that we work on with the students in our district.
In the classroom, we build in transition times. These are predictable parts of the day that allow our students to pause, complete the previous activity, and mentally prepare for the next. They are particularly beneficial to students that lack structure in their personal lives.
There is a young man in one of our first-grade classes who is having a tough time in his home life. Both of his parents are absent, and he is being raised by his grandparents. While he is blessed to have such wonderful family to raise him, he seems to miss the attention that his father will only occasionally provide. As such, he frequently seeks the attention of the teacher and other adults in the classroom. His teacher has a well-designed schedule that allows him to know when the appropriate times will come for him to get the attention he seeks. This alleviates some of his anxiety and helps him to focus on the task at hand. While this one strategy is not a cure-all, it does give him and his teacher a greater chance of having a successful day.
Like this young student, we all have fears and worries that arise during our day. Fortunately, we can implement a structured approach to life that gives us a better chance of moving smoothly through our day. As mentioned earlier, the structures we implement are personal to each of us. For myself, making sure I have a snack and a few minutes of quiet time during my breaks provides a huge mental and emotional boost. When I take time to slow down and appreciate the good that has transpired, I know that whatever I do next will be more successful.
Another part of my daily routine is to take time for quiet reflection and inspired reading each morning upon awakening. While this does not guarantee that I will be on cloud nine for the rest of the day, it does give me a greater chance of having the kind of day I desire. The goal is to bring more light and clarity to the day, not escape from life entirely.
Perhaps you are feeling like you are being thrown about by the ups and downs of life. Fear not, we are all in the same boat. With a few simple tweaks to your daily routine you can open the door to more energy and have greater access to your own wisdom. Life is about remembering who you are, even when you are thrown into unplanned situations. When you are clear within yourself, you project that confidence upon the world around you. You also become an uplifting presence, reminding others that everything is going to be fine.
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District. He is also co-host of the popular radio show, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed, to find out more go to www.DarrellandEd.com or send an email to: EdwardBiagiotti@ccusd.org