Do you really know the difference between ritual and routine? Your routine is basically your daily schedule. The actions you take like wake up, work out, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, commute to work. They are often mundane things that are easy to understand. But the rituals are often more unusual and personal.
A recent Fast Company article says, “Days have a funny way of slipping past without us even realizing it. And while routines help us feel in control of our time, rituals make sure we stick to our plans.” Rituals are part of your routine, sure, but they can serve a specific purpose: to signify to you that it is time to do something. It can help you transition from one activity to another more smoothly. For example, during your commute to work, you may listen to your favorite podcast. It calms you down from the chaos of commuting and mentally prepares you to tackle the work day feeling refreshed.
As Brainpickings points out, ritual can make the mundane feel magical. Rituals are different for everyone. Maybe you do five jumping jacks before presenting at a meeting. Or you set a fresh cup of coffee just so on your desk each morning before opening your email. Or you go for a walk after lunch which helps you recharge for the rest of your afternoon. How do you make your days a little more magical?
Image via Andreas Hein/Flickr.
Spectrum Brands Careers Blog 
May 7, 2019
Career Advice