To ease this tension, it would help if we could establish some structure. That’s where we get to develop routines. I know I know; I’ve heard it too before; “Having routines makes you rigid and kills the creativity and spontaneity.” And here’s my fact-checked response to those allegations:

“Working at Skyrise Business Centre is truly a pleasant experience. I love the wide glass windows that inspire me and bring my thoughts out of the box.”

Geroge Mwangi

Key Highlights:

We live largely in the monotonous, repetition of daily tasks more than the periodic exceptional milestones. Like an athlete – a sprinter for example; For their career to culminate in the glory of an Olympic Gold Medal, they had to sprint or run long enough for that single racing event which was only a fraction in time of their entire career or lifetime. Yet those few exceptional, milestone seconds or minutes came from hours, weeks and years of continuous repetition – the boring mundane stuff.

Thus, we can conclude our lives are made up largely of “the boring stuff.”

Where do routines come in? And how do they help my productivity? Well, for starters, routines help you get your recurring tasks done and completed with minimal or no cognitive effort. Getting these out of your way, opens your mind up to pursue more interesting work and frees it up to be more creative and explore.

Consequently, having routines will reduce your stress levels as it creates structure for your mind. Instead of wading into the unknown, your mind now has a plan to follow which eases the tension and anxiety.

You’re able to then build better habits through repetition of these routines. As per the words of the famous philosopher Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Success then is not a single act but a habit.” I don’t think I need to follow that up with anything else.

Psychologists as well usually recommend patients suffering with mental health issues to start by developing daily routines to build structure. This goes a long way in regulating the body’s circadian rhythm which also goes on to regulate the body’s nervous and endocrine system which positively impacts health.

Some small steps to put you on that path to building healthy routines; Waking up and going to bed at the same time every day. This plays a significant role in regulating the circadian rhythm and nervous systems of the body. Try to stick to this for most days of the week.

For starters, handle the basics. Make your bed, brush your teeth, exercise, shower, have a healthy breakfast, read or journal. If you do all or some of these every morning, plan and make sure to set aside ample time in the morning for the completion of each of them fully.

Be consistent with it. Start a week at a time and build on it from there. Habits are simply consistent routines over time if you actually look at it. To help with consistency, make it fun. Try a new route to work, a new playlist when you exercise in the morning or a new pancake recipe for breakfast in the morning. There’s no limit to your creativity in enjoying the routines.

Lastly, reward yourself. Once you’ve fallen into a consistent rhythm, reward yourself for it with something fun. Perhaps, you’ve kept your bedtime consistent for a few weeks now; then maybe you can buy yourself that comfy new pair of pyjamas with your favourite childhood cartoon character. (We all know you’d love that, so why not? *wink)

“Working at Skyrise Business Centre is truly a pleasant experience. I love the wide glass windows that inspire me and bring my thoughts out of the box.”

Kiteki Mbelenzi, Software Developer.

One brand that has been leading the way in co-working is Skyrise Business Centre. Here are some reasons why co-working with Skyrise Business Centre is the place to be in 2023:

Key Highlights:

• Cost-Effective: Skyrise Business Centre’s co-working spaces are a cost-effective alternative to traditional office spaces. With Skyrise Business Centre, you can avoid the overhead costs of renting and maintaining a private office, such as utilities, internet, and cleaning services.
• Flexibility: Skyrise Business Centre’s work spaces offer flexibility in terms of lease agreements, so you can choose the amount of time you want to rent the space for. This is particularly useful for startups and small businesses that may not have the resources to commit to a long-term lease.
• Networking Opportunities: Skyrise Business Centre’s work spaces offer the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and businesses. This can lead to collaboration opportunities and potential partnerships.
• Rise of Remote Work: Remote work has become more popular over the past few years, and Skyrise Business Centre has adapted to this trend. Skyrise Business Centre offers the perfect solution for remote workers who need a dedicated workspace outside of their homes.
• Technological Advancements: Skyrise Business Centre is keeping up with technological advancements, such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms equipped with high-end audio visual equipment, and digital lockers. These advancements have made co-working more accessible and convenient for people.
• Social Interaction: Skyrise Business Centre’s work paces offer the opportunity for social interaction and collaboration, fostering a sense of community that can lead to increased creativity and productivity.

In conclusion, co-working spaces are the place to be in 2023. With cost-effectiveness, flexibility, networking opportunities, and technological advancements, Skyrise Business Centre’s work spaces offer the perfect solution for individuals and businesses alike. So, whether you’re a freelancer, startup, or small business owner, a work space at Skyrise Business Centre could be the answer you’re looking for.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit..”

Aristotle

• However, if you continued in this trajectory for another month to three, then we’d definitely notice some changes.
• At some time, probably after the first few weeks of it, the procedure of having takeout for lunch will start to cement itself and become automatic. At this point, we’re looking at a habit beginning its formation process.

Our brains are wired for survival. Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left to its own devices, the brain will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. (Tell me a better resource manager than your brain, I’ll wait…)

Hence, by that argument, we can reasonably infer that at some point, our habits were deliberate choices we made and continued doing up until a point our brains formed routines and then habits around them, from whence we stopped thinking about actively but still executed on the same. As the book itself mentions; “When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making. It stops working so hard, or diverts focus to other tasks. So, unless you deliberately fight a habit—unless you find new routines—the pattern will unfold automatically.”

That being said, these habits cumulatively make up our life’s orientation and direction hence, our financial, health & relationship habits will in the long-run (Like the fast food analogy…) orientate us towards the net outcome of those actions. I hope it now begins to make sense why some of the things you do might seem almost automatic and probably a little difficult to let go of…

How do we then get ahead of our own biological wiring? How do we stay at the forefront of dictating the habits we want? And get our brains to discard those we don’t. Because to have a consistent outflow of successful execution, it would also mean that we need to have success forming habits.

As I bring this to a cliff-hanging close (of course I’d leave you wanting more. How else can we build a long-lasting relationship?), in the second part of this article, we’ll look at the habit-forming loop and by extension how we can leverage this to change our habits.

We tend to attribute getting distracted to external stimuli; phones, chaotic outside environment, etc. but it’s actually more of an internal concern – our minds. According to research by some expert psychologists from Harvard, in a study conducted with 2,250 adults, they concluded that we spend around 47 percent of every waking hour “mind wandering” which is basically like; sitting in an Uber thinking about the five emails you forgot to write earlier that morning or sitting at a boardroom but picturing yourself sipping down a cocktail on a beach in Diani or at your desk supposedly writing a report but your mind’s already pre-empting what plot twists are in the newest season of Sistas. (Yeah, me too – a lot!)

This shows that distraction is primarily a mind game. Hence, in order to get and stay focused, we need to intentionally develop the skill of managing and controlling our attention. The other key takeaway was that mind-wandering/ distractions have more to do with unhappiness than the activities we’re engaged in at that time. So, we should focus less on what we’re doing and more on how we’re being.

We generally think that being happy comes from doing pleasant things whereas research has found that this only contributes to 4.6% of our happiness and being mindfully present in here-now accounts for roughly 10.8% of happiness.

So, it all starts with our ability to notice when our minds begin to wander or get distracted. Which is usually very difficult to do. (Trust me, it really is difficult.) It might be helpful to set up cues in your life to remind you to notice; could be every time you step into a matatu, sit down at your desk at work, sit down to eat, etc.

Once you start to notice, the next step is to shift your attention to the present moment – what’s happening right now. It could be engaging fully in typing that email, listening fully to the person you’re talking with. (For deeper insights, read Robin Sharma’s “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”, it dives deeper into mindfulness and practices to nurture the skill)

In more idle moments, you could anchor your awareness by paying attention to your breathing, sensations in your body, the sights and sounds of your environment.

The final step is to strengthen this habit by building the muscle. You do this by taking time, 15 – 30 secs a day staying in this state of conscious awareness and really savouring the experience of being here now.

Key Highlights:

• Flexibility – This is a key requirement for occupiers. With remote work becoming the norm, they expect flexible lease terms, agile workspaces, and the ability to scale up or down as needed. This has led to a rise in demand for coworking spaces, serviced offices, and flexible lease arrangements. Landlords and developers need to be more responsive to occupiers’ needs and provide spaces that are adaptable and easily reconfigurable.
• Health and Wellness – Occupiers are increasingly looking for spaces that promote employee health and well-being. This includes amenities such as outdoor spaces, fitness centers, and healthy food options. The incorporation of biophilic design elements like natural light, greenery, and natural materials can also improve occupiers’ wellness and productivity.
• Technology – Occupiers are looking for spaces that are equipped with the latest technology. This includes high-speed internet, video conferencing facilities, and smart building features like IoT sensors and touchless controls. Developers and landlords need to invest in technology to provide occupiers with the tools they need to work effectively and efficiently.
• Sustainability – Sustainability has become a top priority for occupiers. They are looking for spaces that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. This includes buildings that are energy-efficient, incorporate sustainable materials, and promote eco-friendly practices like waste reduction and recycling. Developers and landlords need to adopt sustainable practices to attract and retain occupiers who are committed to reducing their environmental footprint.
• Community – Community has become increasingly important for occupiers. They are looking for spaces that foster a sense of community and collaboration. This includes shared amenities such as coffee bars, lounges, and event spaces that encourage networking and interaction. Developers and landlords can build a sense of community by hosting events and facilitating collaboration between occupiers.

Key Highlights:

1. Hybrid Workspaces: Hybrid workspaces that blended physical and digital spaces are likely to become the norm in the post-pandemic world. Hybrid workspaces can help companies achieve the best of both worlds – a physical space for collaboration and social interaction, and a digital space for remote work and virtual collaboration. Companies can adopt flexible work schedules and hot-desking strategies to reduce their office footprint and cut down on real estate costs.
2. Increased Focus on Wellness: The pandemic underscored the importance of wellness, and this is likely to drive workplace design in the post-pandemic world. Companies can incorporate wellness amenities like standing desks, fitness centers, and outdoor spaces to promote employee health and well-being. The use of biophilic design elements like natural light, greenery, and natural materials can also improve employee wellness and productivity.
3. Enhanced Collaboration: Collaboration is critical for innovation, and companies need to create spaces that foster collaboration in the post-pandemic world. Collaboration spaces can include conference rooms, huddle rooms, and team spaces that are designed to facilitate communication and collaboration. Companies can also use digital collaboration tools to facilitate virtual collaboration and help remote teams work together seamlessly.
4. Embracing Technology: Technology will play a critical role in reimagining workspaces in the post-pandemic world. Companies can adopt a range of technologies like IoT, AI, and VR to create smart workspaces that enhance employee productivity and engagement. IoT sensors can be used to monitor occupancy levels and optimize space utilization, while VR and AR can be used to create immersive work environments that facilitate remote collaboration.
5. Focus on Sustainability: Sustainable workplaces are likely to become a priority for companies in the post-pandemic world. Companies can use sustainable materials, reduce energy consumption, and incorporate renewable energy sources to create eco-friendly workspaces. The use of green technologies like vertical gardens, rainwater harvesting, and solar panels can also help companies achieve their sustainability goals.

In conclusion, the post-pandemic world offers an opportunity to reimagine workspaces in a way that is more flexible, collaborative, and sustainable. By adopting a hybrid approach to work, focusing on wellness, enhancing collaboration, embracing technology, and promoting sustainability, companies can create workspaces that meet the needs of their employees and drive innovation.