This past summer we have been been immersed in several Story projects. It’s been exciting to have the opportunity to build out powerful brand stories – something we believe so strongly in – for brands that have so much heart. And yep, we have been learning lots along the way. One of our biggest lessons learned this past summer is the importance of routines, structure, and detailed timelines.

Structure and routines can get a bad rep – boring and limiting. But they actually feel amazing! They free us up to create our best work. In fact, routines and structure are the foundation to success. If we have no routines or structure, way too much brain energy goes into managing and fixing things and we never get around to creating something phenomenal.

The old adage says, “What gets scheduled gets done.” The opposite is also true, “What doesn’t get scheduled doesn’t get done.”

Why are we implementing structure?
Structure guides us through the day and week, giving us the framework needed to get the things done that are priority. It’s way too easy to push off important tasks because they do not feel ‘urgent’. It’s the classic case of ‘I will build my marketing plan tomorrow so I can answer all those emails today.’ Then six months later we realize we never actually got around to that marketing plan. Scheduling these tasks make them priority when other things are fighting to take our attention.

It is less decisions to make throughout the day. Decisions take brain energy. I like to think that I have a ration of good decisions each day. After they are used up, I can still make decisions but they may not be as good and I lack clarity in making them. With a solid structure to my days, I can keep my decisions for things that matter instead of ‘what should I be doing next’ kind of decisions.

Structure helps us work effectively. Tasks can quickly turn into longer than needed when there is no framework for the time needed. Deciding ahead of time how much time is allowed for specific tasks can help keep us on on track.

How are we creating routine and structure?
We are listing out all the tasks we do each week, including the ones we want to do but have not been making priority. Depending on the task, we are allotting a consistent time (daily, weekly, or monthly) for the task. Since specific project tasks will vary, the entire schedule will vary from week to week. What’s important, is scheduling in the key tasks that happen consistently.

Now for executing the structure.
This is the hard part! Because undoubtedly – we will not feel like it, there will be something else that could be considered more urgent, and nobody but ourselves are going to ‘notice’ if we don’t keep our schedule. It will help if we can remember, the schedule is a promise to ourselves and will ultimately move us towards goals and what success looks like to us.

As we are creating structure and routines for ourselves, it has felt amazing. It removes the passive stress of  ‘Am I doing what I should be doing right now?’ and gives us the peace of mind we are focusing on the right thing at the right time. We will give you an update at the end of the year and let you know how it is going for us!

Do you create and follow routines and structures? We would love to hear about it!