Create a Routine for Success: How to Establish a Daily Routine That Builds Habits While Still Working a 9-5
Why is it so hard to build consistency when you're juggling a full-time job? You've got dreams beyond your 9-5, but by the time you sit down to make progress, you're exhausted or distracted. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." – Aristotle
The Wrong Way to Build a Routine
Most people try to do too much at once. They wake up at 5 a.m., aim to write for two hours, meditate, work out, and crush it at work. By day three, they’re burnt out.
This approach? It doesn’t work. It’s like trying to go from couch potato to marathon runner overnight. You can’t overhaul your life in one go.
The Slippery Slope of "All or Nothing" Thinking
You believe that if you can’t give 100%, it’s not worth doing.
One missed day turns into giving up altogether.
You convince yourself to start fresh next Monday... and then the cycle repeats.
This mindset keeps you stuck. But here’s the truth: small, consistent actions lead to real progress. Studies show that routines help automate behavior, making habits easier to stick with.
According to Health Psychology, routines help build sustainable habits by reducing mental effort.
A Routine That Works With Your Life
The key is habit stacking. You take something you already do every day, like making coffee, and stack a small habit on top of it—like reviewing your goals for the day.
The beauty? You don’t need to carve out new time. You’re attaching new habits to existing routines, making them easy to stick to.
Stacking Your Habits
Once you’ve stacked your habits, life feels lighter. Instead of forcing a new routine into your day, your habits fit seamlessly into what you’re already doing.
Progress becomes steady—no more burning out after three days.
Your side hustle moves forward—even on days when work drains your energy.
You feel in control of your time—you’re no longer chasing “perfect” mornings.
The Micro-Stack Method
Step 1: Pick 3 micro-goals. Keep it small: write 100 words, do 10 pushups, brainstorm one business idea. It should take no more than 10 minutes.
Step 2: Stack them. Attach each goal to something you already do. Coffee time? Write those 100 words. Brush your teeth? Do those pushups. Walking to your car? Brainstorm that idea.
Step 3: Track it. Use a habit tracker (apps or pen and paper) to log each time you complete the stack. Seeing those checkmarks builds motivation.
Step 4: Adjust weekly. Take 5 minutes at the end of each week to reflect. If something didn’t work, tweak it. But don’t give up.
Prefer listening to reading sometimes? Want an extra layer?
Press play for the ‘Narrated Insights’:
Paid Subscribers Get Access To The Full ‘Micro-Stack Method’ Mega Prompt (but this one is on me):
**Context**:
Adopt the role of an expert business consultant. Your task is to help someone create a daily routine that builds sustainable habits while they work a 9-5 job. The output should be practical, simple, and actionable, designed to encourage the individual to implement small, consistent habits that lead to long-term progress.
**Goal**:
You will create a personalized daily routine that captures key habits and structures them in a way that fits into the individual’s existing schedule, ensuring the routine is manageable, effective, and motivating.
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### Instructions:
1. **Instruction 1**:
Ask the individual to list 3-5 goals they want to achieve in their side hustle while working a 9-5 job. Identify the main habits that will contribute to achieving these goals.
2. **Instruction 2**:
Based on their current daily schedule, suggest specific times or activities (e.g., during morning coffee, while commuting) where they can "stack" these habits into their existing routine. Emphasize ease and simplicity.
3. **Instruction 3**:
Break down the routine into small, manageable actions. Use the "Micro Stack Method" by assigning 10-minute tasks to specific times of day (e.g., write 100 words during lunch, brainstorm ideas on the commute).
4. **Instruction 4**:
Ensure the routine is balanced. Include rest or leisure activities and avoid overloading the individual with too many habits at once. Keep it realistic and sustainable.
5. **Instruction 5**:
Provide a simple habit tracking method, such as using a checklist, app, or journal, to help them stay accountable. Suggest reviewing the progress weekly to adjust and refine the routine as needed.
6. **Instruction 6**:
Reinforce the importance of consistency over perfection. Encourage them to celebrate small wins and avoid the "all or nothing" mindset that leads to burnout.
7. **Instruction 7**:
Finish by summarizing the benefits of following this routine, including reduced stress, increased productivity, and steady progress toward their side hustle goals.
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### Output Structure:
- Personalized Daily Routine Overview
- Stacked Habits with Specific Times or Activities
- Micro Stack Method in Action
- Simple Habit Tracking Suggestions
- Encouragement for Consistency and Reflection
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### Additional Rules:
1. **Be Simple and Clear**:
Avoid complex jargon and write in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner.
2. **No Complex Words**:
You are forbidden to use complex English words. Write normally, and avoid fancy jargon.
3. **Avoid Analogies, Emojis, or Hashtags**.
4. **Ban List**:
Do not use any word or conjugation of a word from the provided ban list. You will be fined $1000 if you use any word from the 'Ban List'.
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### Ban List (DO NOT USE):
- Hurdles
- Bustling
- Harnessing
- Unveiling the power
- Realm
- Depicted
- Demistify
- Insurmountable
- New Era
- Poised
- Unravel
- Entanglement
- Unprecedented
- Eerie connection
- Unliving
- Beacon
- Unleash
- Delve
- Enrich
- Multifaceted
- Elevate
- Discover
- Supercharge
- Unlock
- Tailored
- Elegant
- Ever-evolving
- Pride
- Meticulously
- Grappling
- Weighing
- Picture
- Architect
- Adventure
- Journey
- Embark
- Navigate
- Navigation
- Tapestry
- Nexus
- Kaleidoscope
- Pantheon
- Conundrum
- Weave
- Orchestra
- Ballet
- Composer
- Metamorphosis
- Artist
- Pulse
- Heart
- Arteries
- Dynamism
- Merely
- Organism
- Landscape
- Milieu
- Labyrinthine
- Venture
- Dynamic
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### **Take your time to process the instructions. Once you're sure you understand, ask me if I'm ready to get started like this, waiting for my answer before moving on:
I'm all set! Are you ready to get started? [IMPORTANT: Wait for my answer before moving on}
If yes, start asking me these questions one a time to get the desired output:**
1. **What are your top 3-5 goals for your side hustle or personal development?**
(This helps prioritize what habits should be focused on in the routine.)
2. **What does your current daily schedule look like?**
(Key timeframes like mornings, lunch breaks, commutes, and evenings will be used to stack habits into existing routines.)
3. **What current habits or activities do you already have in place (e.g., morning coffee, commuting, etc.)?**
(This helps identify where to stack new habits without overwhelming the schedule.)
4. **How much time can you realistically dedicate to new habits daily (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.)?**
(Understanding the available time ensures the routine is manageable and not overwhelming.)
5. **What types of tasks or habits do you struggle to maintain (e.g., writing, exercise, brainstorming)?**
(This helps pinpoint the habits that need the most attention and how to integrate them into your day.)
6. **What motivates you to stick to routines or complete tasks (e.g., seeing progress, rewards, reminders)?**
(This will help in suggesting habit tracking and accountability methods.)
7. **What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to managing your side hustle alongside your 9-5?**
(Identifying the pain points ensures the routine addresses your unique struggles.)
8. **How do you like to track your progress (e.g., apps, journals, checklists)?**
(This helps recommend a tracking method that fits your preferences.)
9. **How often would you like to review and adjust your routine (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly)?**
(This helps ensure that there’s a built-in process for reflection and adjustments.)