By: Kellen Crow, Global Brand and Communications Manager | 11/10/2021 |

Routines are meant to help people. The idea behind a routine is that you do the same thing, day in and day out, to help you stay on track. Routines can also help ensure you are being healthy, exercising, staying focused, as well as a variety of other things folks work into their daily lives.

In my personal experience and in my crazy, busy, life that is filled with work, an adventurous toddler, dogs, horses, a house, and a fire for adventure, typical routines have always been a recipe for failure. While I have always liked the idea of a routine, I think there is a little too much coffee running through my veins for me to do the exact same thing every single day; I simply crave a little more variety.

However, that doesn’t mean I don’t strive to have the structure of a routine. This is something I have struggled with on and off for years as I work to ensure I am getting all my critical tasks done both professionally and personally.

I spend a lot of my time reading books or listening to entrepreneurial-style podcasts, and I recently ran across a unique concept on a podcast that has held my attention and helped introduce me to my new best friend, The Power List by Andy Frisella.

Andy Frisella is a very successful entrepreneur, podcast host, and all-around self-improvement guru. While his podcast is certainly not for the faint of heart, his messages are on-point and seem to speak directly to me and my crazy life.

As the creator of the 75 Hard lifestyle, Andy talks a lot about organization and getting things done. The Power List, a list of five critical tasks that need to get done in one day, is the way I keep track of things, and organize my life in a “routine.”

Each day, I evaluate what are the critical things I need to do to help advance myself, my life, and my work. I write these things on a list as I go, and as they get done, I cross them off.  There’s a large feeling of satisfaction gained from crossing off a list, on paper with a pen, and at the end of that day putting a “W” at the top of the page, to know that I won the day. The main idea here is self-accountability; I can look back at my power list and see how many days in a row I have won the day. I am currently on a streak of 48 days and going strong.

A few things are constant on my list, and a few things change and evolve. I always make sure to review my goals daily – both personal and professional. I also always make sure to take time every day to be thankful for what I have. It’s so easy to get caught up in the feeling of needing more, wanting more, doing more – but it’s important to pause and be thankful for what you’ve got!

For me, it’s about having the security of a routine, without the need of the same thing every day. The feature I like best about the Power List is I can evolve my list of critical tasks to meet my needs as they evolve and change because my goals are always growing, changing, and evolving – and so should yours!