The Daily Planning Routine for People Who Hate Routines
- What daily planning is for, when stripped to essentials
- Why most daily planning routines fail people who hate routines
- The five-and-five routine
- How to actually keep it for more than two weeks
Most daily planning advice assumes you want to plan. However, many of us are not keen on rigid routines but still crave the benefits of structured days. The good news is that it’s possible to create a simple, effective daily planning routine that fits a more flexible lifestyle. This article will guide you through a minimum viable version of daily planning that works for people who dislike traditional routines, allowing you to harness the power of intentionality without the burdensome structure.
What Daily Planning Is For, When Stripped to Essentials
At its core, daily planning isn’t about scheduling every minute of your day. It's about taking a moment to decide what will make your day successful before external demands take over.
Consider the scenario of two senior engineers. One dives straight into his digital inbox, responding to dozens of messages without a clear direction, feeling busy but accomplishing little. The other takes five minutes to identify one priority for the day. By lunchtime, he has completed that priority, leaving the rest of the day open for additional tasks.
A 2024 study from the University of Minnesota supports this. Workers who dedicate just five minutes to plan their day are 23% more likely to complete their top priority compared to those who skip planning altogether. The takeaway? A few mindful minutes can defend your day against distractions.
Why Most Daily Planning Routines Fail People Who Hate Routines
Daily planning systems often fail for various reasons, particularly for those who dislike structured routines.
First, many systems are overly complex. Bullet journals, elaborate Notion templates, and intricate time-blocking calendars require too much setup and maintenance. If you're someone who hates routines, these options can feel more like a chore than a solution.
Second, they demand consistency that doesn't align with real-life variability. Not every day is the same; some days are filled with meetings, while others might require deep focus. A rigid routine can struggle to accommodate this reality.
Third, the language used in planning routines can feel overly earnest or gimmicky. Phrases like "set your intentions for the day" can make some people cringe, causing them to disengage before even trying.
Fourth, most systems take too long. Anything that requires more than 20 minutes to plan is likely to be skipped, especially on chaotic days when planning is most needed.
Lastly, many routines overlook the importance of a review process. Without reflecting on what went well and what didn’t, you miss out on valuable insights that could inform tomorrow's plan.
The Five-and-Five Routine
Enter the five-and-five routine, a simple, flexible approach that requires just ten minutes a day split into two segments.
Morning (5 minutes): In this brief session, write down three sentences:
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What’s the one thing today? Identify the single task that, if completed, would make your day a win. This forces you to clarify your priority.
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What’s the second thing if there’s room? This is optional. It's a bonus task that you can tackle if time allows but doesn’t create pressure.
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What’s the trap? Acknowledge the distraction that could derail your day, whether it’s an email thread or social media. Naming it helps you resist its pull.
That’s it. In just three sentences, you’ve clarified the day ahead.
Evening (5 minutes): Again, write three sentences:
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Did I do the one thing? A simple yes or no will suffice. If yes, reflect on why. If no, consider what held you back.
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What burned my time? Observing where your time went will help you identify patterns that you can address later.
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What’s the one thing tomorrow? Naming tomorrow's priority provides a head start, allowing you to begin the next day with intention.
This evening reflection is crucial. It transforms your planning habit into a learning loop, making each day more productive than the last.
How to Actually Keep It for More Than Two Weeks
The key to maintaining this routine lies in tying it to existing habits. Don’t create a new ritual; append this routine to something you already do.
For the morning version, do it right before you open Slack. The act of opening your laptop can serve as the trigger. For the evening, complete the routine just before you close your laptop. This sequence minimizes the need for willpower since the cues are already embedded in your workflow.
On tougher days, it’s okay to lower the bar. If your one thing is simply “survive the meeting,” that’s perfectly acceptable. The objective is to stay anchored rather than to produce profound insights.
What Good Looks Like
You’ll know your new routine is working when you can clearly see what you accomplished by the end of the day. The distinction between completing your one priority or not will become apparent, giving you data to reflect on.
Other indicators include spotting patterns in your traps and gradually reducing your drift into time-sucking activities. You might find that you end your evenings with a sense of resolution instead of anxiety.
Moreover, planning for the next day will take mere seconds because you've already identified your priority the night before.
Practical Example
Let’s take a look at a practical example of the five-and-five routine in action. Imagine it’s Monday morning:
Morning Session:
- What’s the one thing today? – Finish the project proposal.
- What’s the second thing if there’s room? – Begin drafting a report.
- What’s the trap? – Getting lost in email.
Evening Session:
- Did I do the one thing? – Yes, I finished the proposal.
- What burned my time? – A 90-minute meeting that could have been 30.
- What’s the one thing tomorrow? – Prepare for client presentation.
You can see how this routine allows for reflection and planning without overwhelming complexity.
In summary, this five-and-five routine offers a straightforward and effective way to enhance your daily planning without adding unnecessary stress. It’s about making small, intentional choices that drive productivity.
Are you ready to take control of your daily planning without the hassle? Take the Omie Skill Assessment to discover how you can streamline your planning process and reclaim your time.