**Once behaviors are automatic, you can accomplish things and keep a free mind.** Habits are powerful, not only because they enable consistent performance and [[Habits Have Compounding Returns]], but also because it enables an individual to perform important and/or necessary tasks without having to think about it. This frees the mind to continue working on things more important and satisfying things than: "okay, next I need to open the cabinet where I keep the coffee"... "okay, I need to get the grinder out"... "okay, I need to take the lid off" ... You do all those things automatically while you think about where you want to go on your next vacation, or solve a work problem that’s been bothering you. **Routine enables difficult things to become easy. Soon you can autopilot the accomplishment of one essential task while devoting the mind to work on the next essential thing.** Doing the same things the same way every time enables you to maintain standards of performance and avoid [[Decision Fatigue]]. It enables [[Multichannel Multitasking]]. > [!warning] Warning > [[Balance]] is the key - routine is also the enemy of memory, because [[Memory Formation Requires Attention]] Be careful to stop and smell the roses every so often. [[Results are not Presence]]. Don't fill your day executing routines only to go to sleep not being sure where the day went. **** # More ## Source - [[Stillness is the Key]] - [[The Power of Habit]] - [[Atomic Habits]] - [[Essentialism]] ## Related - [[Michael Phelps Race Routine]] - [[Decision Fatigue]] - [[Multichannel Multitasking]] - [[Standardization Enables Creativity]] - [[Structure Removes Decision Fatigue]]