Most career-oriented people are interested in self-improvement, specifically how it relates to their daily routines. Successful routines look different for everyone, though. Just because something works for one person doesn’t mean it will for another. So before making drastic changes because an article said you should wake up at 5 a.m. every day, there are some things to consider. First, it’s important to ask what the end goal is and how a specific change will help you achieve that goal. If someone wants to be more productive at work, it might be helpful for that person to wake up earlier, eat a healthy breakfast, and go for a run; that way, come 9 a.m., they are fully awake and alert. Additionally, it’s helpful to ask what isn’t currently working in a particular routine. Again, by defining an end goal, it’s easier to see what is helping reach that end and what’s standing in the way. Finally, determine the behaviors that will be most effective in achieving the goal. Even a small change to a routine can be difficult to maintain, especially if that change is giving up something. If someone’s nighttime routine is to scroll through their social media feeds, which might keep them up longer, it’s going to be nearly impossible to just stop doing that; it’s easier to replace a behavior with another than it is to simply quit an activity. In this example, reading a book instead might help reach the goal of getting a better night’s sleep.