The Myth of Chaos as Freedom

Some individuals romanticize the idea of living without boundaries. Spontaneity, flexibility, and "going with the flow" sound liberating, especially for creatives and entrepreneurs. But a life devoid of structure often leads to stress, missed opportunities, and diminished mental clarity. Without routine, the mind is bombarded with choices from the moment you wake up. What should I eat? Should I work out today? What task do I start with?

This mental noise, or decision fatigue, reduces our ability to focus on what truly matters. Spinning our wheels in indecision and unproductiveness takes a great amount of energy that can and should be directed productively. By contrast, establishing a regular routine automates many of these decisions, creating more room for deeper thought, focused creativity, and intentional living. And that’s what I work toward in my life.

Principle One: Showing Up With a Good Plan

Showing up without a plan is like setting out on a road trip without a map. You might eventually get somewhere—but you’ll waste a lot of time, energy, and gas along the way. A solid plan doesn’t mean your days need to be micromanaged or rigid. It simply means you’ve thought about what matters most—and you’re aligning your time and energy to reflect that. It’s not about being busy; it’s about being purposeful.

Here are a few guiding questions for making your daily plan meaningful:

• What’s the one thing I must make progress on today? This is about identifying your top priority—the task or goal that will move the needle the most. It doesn’t have to be the biggest or hardest thing, but it should be the one that aligns with your larger goals. Ask yourself: If I only get one thing done today, what should it be? This keeps your focus sharp and helps prevent you from getting lost in busyness. Over time, consistent progress on your “one thing” creates real momentum.
• What would make today feel like a success, even in a small way? This question centers around daily wins—moments that feel productive, encouraging, or fulfilling. It could be finishing a proposal, making a hard phone call, getting in your workout, or finally scheduling that appointment. When you define success with intentionality (and not just a long to-do list), you create opportunities to end your day with a sense of accomplishment and positivity, no matter what else happens.
• Where do I usually get distracted—and how can I set up guardrails? (I call these ‘bumper-pads’ like in a bowling alley!) Distractions are often predictable. Whether it’s checking email too often, scrolling on social media, multitasking, or jumping between tasks, we tend to fall into the same traps. By identifying your biggest time-wasters or focus-stealers, you can build in “guardrails”: silent notifications, time blocks, app limits, or even physical environments that protect your attention. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s awareness and adjustment.

When you plan with intention, you show up with direction. That alone puts you miles ahead of most.

Evening prep might include:

• Reviewing tomorrow’s schedule: Glancing at your calendar the night before helps you mentally prepare for meetings, deadlines, or appointments. This preview lowers anxiety and lets you start the next day with clarity and confidence.
• Setting out clothes or workout gear: This small step removes a barrier in the morning and increases your likelihood of following through on intentions—especially for workouts or early commitments. It’s a cue to your future self: We’re doing this! This is a regular habit I apply as I send my body to work out early every morning in our back workout area of our home.
• Making a short to-do list for the morning: Writing down 2–3 key tasks primes your brain for focus. It reduces decision fatigue and gives your morning momentum before distractions take over. I still use a pen and paper calendar as well as a virtual calendar and use it for this task.
• Reflecting on what went well today: Even on difficult days, this practice helps train your mind to notice wins, progress, or moments of gratitude. It shifts your perspective from “what I didn’t do” to “what I did accomplish.” You can also do this in your morning journal. It’s a great way to start the day! I actually do this in my morning journal.

You’re not just preparing your stuff. You’re preparing your mind. You’re telling yourself: “I’m showing up again tomorrow—and I’m getting ready now.”

Principle Three: Be Persistent, Not Perfect

Showing up doesn’t mean showing up perfectly. It means showing up consistently. There’s a big difference.

Perfection says: “If I can’t do it flawlessly, I won’t do it at all.”
Persistence says: “I’m doing it, even if it’s messy or hard.”

This mindset shift is crucial. Too many people start strong—but disappear the moment things get uncomfortable, inconvenient, or uninspiring. Remember, perfection is the enemy of ‘done.’ This is especially important for creatives who want every sound, every aspect of their art or every project to be just perfect. Many of those projects started by creatives are never released, which is a shame.

Persistence through the uninspiring or uncomfortable times is where the growth happens.

Principle Four: Pay Attention to Your Health

You can’t keep showing up if your body is breaking down or your mind is burned out.

Physical and mental health are the foundation of resilience. If you’re not eating well, moving your body, sleeping enough, or managing stress, your energy and focus will suffer—no matter how great your intentions are.

Sometimes the most powerful way to keep showing up… is to pause and take care of the person who’s doing the showing up. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom. I suggest taking short breaks to clear the mind. Here are some ideas:

Go work in the garden or take a short walk—and bring your dog! Read or listen to a book for enjoyment for 15-20 minutes. Also, pay attention to nutrition. It’s easy to grab a sugar-filled snack in the afternoon but be aware of the certain sugar-drop of energy that will happen if doing so.

For getting enough sleep, I find I have to get to bed early enough as my body tends to wake up early, no matter what time I go to bed. Every person is different but find what works for you and pay attention to your energy level throughout the day. Get our free goal setting worksheets, including nutritional timing: Goal Setting Worksheets

Principle Five: Show Up With a Growth Mindset

One of the most powerful companions to persistence is a growth mindset—believing that your abilities and potential can develop over time.

When you operate from a growth mindset:

• Failure becomes feedback, not identity: Instead of seeing failure as a reflection of your worth or ability, view it as useful information about what didn’t work. It becomes a stepping stone, not a stop sign.
• Challenges become opportunities to learn: Every challenge carries the potential to stretch you, refine your skills, and develop resilience. When embraced, difficulty becomes a classroom—not a dead end.
• Success is measured by effort and progress—not just results: True success isn’t always about hitting the target perfectly—it’s about the commitment to keep moving forward. Growth happens in the consistent effort, not just the final outcome.

A fixed mindset says, “I can’t.”
A growth mindset says, “I can’t… yet.”

Application: Showing Up is the Work

In the end, showing up is the work. Not once. Not perfectly. But over and over again.

- It’s the early morning planner open on your kitchen counter.
- It’s the shoes laid out by the door for your walk.
- It’s the laptop booting up for the 351st episode of a podcast.
- It’s the journal you reach for even when you don’t feel like writing.

Because it does matter.

Keep showing up. That’s where the change happens. That’s where the breakthrough lives. And that’s where you become the kind of person who keeps building, keeps growing, and keeps becoming who you were meant to be with the life and lifestyle you truly desire.

Additional Resources 

FREE Goal Setting Worksheets

Power of After: What’s Next Can Be Your Most Purposeful Chapter by Deborah Johnson

Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything by BJ Fogg

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear