Why Most Routines Fail: 6 Mistakes I Made And How To Avoid Them
Written by Michelle Ong | February 1, 2025
Routines don’t fail because we’re weak—they fail because they weren’t built to fit real life.
There was a time when I kept starting routines with the enthusiasm of a fresh notebook… only to abandon them days later.
I wondered if I just wasn’t “disciplined enough.”
Turns out, nothing was wrong with me—I just misunderstood how routines really work.
Here are the six mistakes I kept repeating (maybe you have too) and what finally helped me build routines I can actually keep.
1. I Treated Routines Like Rigid Obligations
For a long time, I thought routines had to be strict: do this at 7:00 a.m., do that at 8:00 a.m., repeat daily, no excuses.
And when life inevitably got messy, I’d feel guilty, beat myself up, and eventually ditch the routine altogether.
What I didn’t realise was this: routines aren’t meant to control you. They’re meant to support you.
Perfectionism is what’s causing routines to fail.
The moment I stopped treating routines like rigid rules and started seeing them as empowering tools, everything shifted.
I swapped guilt for adaptability.
I rearranged tasks when life happened.
I let myself adjust without feeling like I’d “failed.”
💡Discover how to create sustainable routines and how to make them enjoyable.
2. I Packed My Schedule Like a Suitcase Before a Trip
I used to cram my routines with as many tasks as possible, thinking more = better.
Instead, I ended up overwhelmed, procrastinating, and exhausted.
Eventually, I realised productive routines aren’t built on volume—they’re built on intention.
Fewer tasks, done well, beat 17 tasks done in survival mode.
3. I Treated Rest Like a Reward Instead of a Requirement
I once skipped breaks like they were optional upgrades.
It worked… until it didn’t.
Burnout arrived, motivation dipped, and everything felt harder.
Adding intentional pockets of rest made my routines sustainable instead of draining.
💡Discover the common signs of burnout.
4. I Ignored My Natural Rhythms
I used to copy routines I saw online—5 a.m. wake-ups, Pomodoro timers, nightly reflections—even though none of it matched how I work best.
Once I started aligning my tasks with my actual energy levels and focus patterns, routines finally clicked.
💡Learn helpful time management strategies.
5. I Expected Results Too Quickly
This was my biggest mistake.
I wanted instant change. Immediate progress. Visible results by Day Two.
When results didn’t show up fast enough, I assumed the routine “wasn’t working.”
But routines are like slow-cooked meals that take patience and discipline.
They create momentum quietly.
The results show up later—sometimes much later.
💡Read tips on how to get motivated and back on track.
6. I Forgot That Routines Need Adjusting
I expected routines to remain perfect once I created them.
But life changes. Priorities shift. Seasons differ. And routines must evolve with them.
Once I started reviewing and adjusting my routines every few weeks, they stopped breaking—and started serving me. productivity
Final Thoughts
“You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.” – Richard Branson
If any of these mistakes feel familiar, you’re definitely not alone.
Routines sound simple, but they take awareness, patience, and a willingness to keep tweaking.
💡Do we need routines? Find out here.
🌱 Reader Reflection
Which part of your routine feels the most rigid, overwhelming, or mismatched—and what’s one small adjustment you can try this week to soften it?
