There is an epidemic that overtakes every single person. It’s no respecter of persons.

Age, gender, race, and nationality is subject to this issue.

And it shows up almost always when you’re making progress.

It’s called OOTRO but most people don’t recognize it by its acronym. They know it by these five words:

Out
Of
The
Routine
Of

We’re a society of routines. We do something and the next thing you know it’s the the way we do it all the time now. It’s how we live our lives.

But how many positive things have you been doing in your life that you somehow find yourself “out of the routine of…”?

For me personally, I can easily have an on again and off again love affair with two specific things: eating healthy and workouts. I can go strong for long stretches and the next thing you know…

Here Are Four Realities About OOTRO

1. Realize How Easy It Is to Get OOTRO

You don’t have to pay for it, know anyone special, or even do anything at all to be infected with OOTRO.

The reality is just as easy as it is to get INTO every routine, it’s just as easy if not even easier to get OUT of the same routine. It’s part of life:

• You get sick
• You’re traveling
• You get injured
• There’s a holiday
• Work gets busier

Something in your “normal” routine changes, and the next thing you know, you’re… OOTRO.

It just naturally happens and SO easy.

 

2. Realize OOTRO Is Incredibly Subtle

OOTRO is like a cold. It slowly sneaks up on you and the next thing you know you have it.

You look back and realized, “huh, I haven’t done X in a few days…”

My wife had the stomach flu last week and suddenly my routines were subtly affected. Days went by and I was OOTRO. It wasn’t intentional. Life showed up.

It’s not an intentional decision, boycott, or rebellion, it sneaks its way in.

We think missing “just this one day” won’t matter that much.

Then you miss another day.

And the next you know, you’re… OOTRO.

 

3. Realize OOTRO Is Simply Overpowering

Oh you can fight it but it’s like kryptonite. It knows your weakness and will take you down.

Once OOTRO has you, it has amazing power that is far stronger than you think.

Not sure? Try breaking OOTRO when you’ve been WAY out of the routine of something.

• It’s been a few weeks since you’ve ran or worked out
• You were eating healthy 10 + pounds ago (trying to go light on you)
• You used to read in the morning or before bed

You need to respect the incredible power of OOTRO.

 

4. Realize OOTRO MUST Be Battled

Once you have OOTRO it’s not like it will naturally go away. In fact it will take residency and not leave until it’s kicked out.

Most it becomes their excuse, they’re mantra. “I used to… but…”

Not you if you’re a high performer. You must battle OOTRO with all your might.

The longer you settle for OOTRO, the harder it will be to overcome.

It must end. Right now. Not another day must pass that you’re OOTRO.

 

The ONE Remedy for OOTRO…

There is only one remedy for OOTRO. It looks and sounds very similar but could not be more the opposite with the change of two simple but intentional words:

Back
In
The
Routine
Of

Love me some BITRO.

This is the game changer that is the remedy for every kind of OOTRO.

But BITRO requires something of you: ACTION.

Something must change for BITRO to work and I don’t mean your excuses.

 

Two Key Questions To Beat OOTRO…

1. What are you OOTRO?

Chances are you’ve been thinking of a number of things as you’ve read this post and those are your OOTRO.

Here are just a few examples:

• Certain bedtime
• Eating healthy
• Going for a walk
• Taking a break within your work day (move the body / rest the mind)
• Working out
• Reading
• Listening to a podcast
• Writing

The list is endless but the point is not. List your key OOTRO activities and then answer question two:

2. What is the very 1st step to get you BITRO (back in the routine of) on your list?

You don’t need a massive reboot and a complete overhaul of the plan.

“If you want to do something you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” – Jim Rohn

What you do need is a step in the direction that gets you back in the routine.

• Plan your evening so you’re in bed at 10pm
• Make the healthiest choice on your next meal
• Schedule a 15 minute break immediately
• Locate your book and the place you left off
• Get your workout clothes out and in sight
• Find a pen / paper or open a writing program along with an idea
• Look through your podcast and choose one

 

In the End…

Most of the battle is realizing OOTRO is real, it’s subtle, overpowering and must be defeated daily. It’s not a one time victory.

But you can do this now that you’re aware of OOTRO and it’s defeater, BITRO.

So, it’s Go Time and on you now.

What are you “out of the routine of” right now? And what is the very 1st step to get you “back in the routine of…”