Routines are decision-elimination machines. Every action you routinize removes multiple choice points.
Morning Routine Automation
Kevin's old morning: 47 decisions before leaving home Kevin's automated morning: 3 decisions total
His system: - Wake at 6:00 (no snooze decision) - Bathroom routine in same order - Pre-selected workout clothes - Same breakfast (variations on Sunday only) - Prepared work bag - Single route to work
The routine runs on autopilot, preserving energy for work creativity.
Evening Routine Automation
Patricia automated her evening to improve sleep: - 9:00 PM: Kitchen cleanup (same order) - 9:30 PM: Tomorrow's clothes out - 9:45 PM: Same skincare routine - 10:00 PM: Read in bed (book preselected Sunday) - 10:30 PM: Lights out (no negotiation)
No decisions about when to stop working, what to do before bed, or when to sleep. The routine decides for her.
Weekend Routine Frameworks
Even free time benefits from light structure: - Saturday AM: Errands (same route, same stores) - Saturday PM: Free time (truly free, not deciding) - Sunday AM: Meal prep - Sunday PM: Planning for week
Structure paradoxically creates freedom by eliminating decision overhead.