Four Important Steps to a Healthy Lifestyle

By: S. Costa Franco

 
Several individuals agree that it is important to have a balance between striving to improve and seeking stability. But how can we find the balance between continuous progress and stability? Many may say that it is a fine line. This is a tricky question, and the first step to answering it is finding out how we can achieve both, and later, how to balance them.   
The first step to having a healthy and productive lifestyle is to create a routine. We must have some time management and organization to be able to save time and do things efficiently, not having to ponder exactly how and when to do something every time we do it. It is important of course not to have a routine that is too strict, which doesn’t allow any flexibility, but it is also crucial that we find a way to set up our day in a way in which we can get nearly everything done quickly and accurately.  
However, if there is something that defines our world, it’s that it is always changing. Countless events could occur that may disrupt the routine we have created. An excellent example is the current global pandemic we are all facing, that certainly disrupted, in one form or another, the routine of the entire population, and it is safe to assume that most did not see it coming. Thus, in these cases, we must plan for an alternative routine and have some idea of what do to in the event of something we did not anticipate, occurring. In other words, expect the unexpected. Always be prepared. Logically, we cannot map out every possibility which could result in a routine disruption, as this would drive one absolutely mad, and they would have no time to carry out the routine itself. Hence, it is fundamental to be prepared but also understand that there are some things that are out of our control, and at times we must improvise to be able to stay on track.   
However, how can one predict situations that are so utterly unpredictable? The key is not knowing exactly what to do in every scenario imaginable, but rather developing the key skills that might be used in such an event. These skills include quick and critical thinking, problem-solving, working under pressure, and more. If an individual engages in various tasks and activities which help build these skills, it can be very effective in the long-term, when one is faced with new and unprecedented problems.  
The issue with having a routine that is so fixed into position is that the tendency is for us humans to simply believe that is how we will do things forever. The thing with stability is that we often forget to continue seeking progress. Self-reflection is a key skill, and occasionally, we must take a step back and analyze what we are doing and the impact this can have on others so that we do not become robots. We must understand that there is always room for improvement, and we have to be able to recognize failures and perhaps things we could have done better, and thus adapt our routine accordingly. Once we notice there is a more efficient or less harmful way to do something, act on it. Always remember to have empathy and listen to feedback that is given. Also, never neglect the importance of reflecting on what you have done, and always try to do better, hoping to do things to the best of your ability.  
The last element of having a balanced routine is approaching actions with innovation and creativity. It is important to always be thinking of new alternatives and ways of executing tasks. In other words, we must have creativity and innovation to try new things. Sometimes, these tries won't work out, but the important thing to remember is not to deviate from the goal, stay focused, and think outside the box, to either reach a new idea or learn from a mistake. After all, "No one ever made a difference by being like everybody else". Hence, it can be affirmed that innovation and creativity are crucial for maintaining a good routine.   
Overall, whether you apply this to management, business, school, or your day-to-day routine, these steps should help you maintain a balanced lifestyle. By following these recommendations, you can learn to complete tasks effectively and in an organized manner, be prepared for unexpected events, continue striving towards improvement and development, and finally, approach actions with a creative, out-of-the-box mindset.   ​