I remember when my daily routine completely unraveled: Determined to get back on track, I first accepted that my routine was disrupted and shifted my focus to finding solutions. I realized that excessive social media scrolling and the resulting fatigue were major culprits. Seeking support, I turned to family and friends, who offered helpful suggestions like establishing phone-free bedtimes, replacing unhealthy snacks with fruit, and disabling notifications during work hours. To manage my workload effectively, I began using the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks. I also created a dedicated, calming workspace to enhance focus and finally, I implemented time blocking to allocate specific periods for various activities.

It is important to re assess priorities when your routine is disrupted. The tasks you must complete first to meet key deadlines are your most critical tasks and they are those, you should tackle first. Make small manageable breaks tasks and stay as flexible as possible. If you need to communicate with your team, make that happen and adjust your schedule accordingly. Responsibility for progress lies when things happen the way you do not expect them.

When my routine gets thrown off and stress starts building, I try to refocus on the bigger picture. I remind myself that the work still needs to get done and that my team is counting on me. To manage the stress, I usually take a few deep breaths and ground myself before diving back in. Knowing that I’m part of a team helps keep the pressure in perspective, and it pushes me to keep moving forward, even if things aren’t going according to plan.

If this happens often, it's worth spending the time to figure out what the underlying issue is. But if it's just every once in a while: pause first and take a breath. This doesn't mean your day has to be ruined. Look at what you have on your plate and triage: what's most important? You may not be able to get to everything you had planned, so don't let the priorities get away from you.

When your routine is disrupted, reassess your priorities and create a new, temporary to-do list. Maintain some routine elements if possible for structure. Break down large tasks into smaller steps and focus on one at a time. Be adaptable and kind to yourself; it's okay if you don't achieve everything.