Quotes About Routine

My colleagues and I were 9 to 5 psychologists: we came to work every day and we did our psychology, just like you would do insurance or auto mechanics, and then at 5 we went home and were just as neurotic as we were before we went to work. Somehow, it seemed to me, if all of this theory were right, it should play more intimately into my own life.

Perhaps the most appropriate initial step in view of your present predicament is to continue with you daily life in the customary manner with the simple addition of a mantra. Such a mantra can initially be used for 15 minutes in the morning and evening as suggested by Maharishi Mahesh in his program for Transcendental Meditation. You can set up a corner of your room for this purpose.

I'd lived my life in a dim labyrinth of drudgery disguised as fun and pleasure.

I wake up and tear drops, they fall down like rain. I put on that old song we danced to and then, I head off to my job cause not much has changed. Punch the clock, head for home, check the phone. Just in case. Go to bed, dream of you. That's what I am doing these days.

monotony finds no relief in adding variety or changing our attitude about it. Activity does not create meaning; it is the other way around.

The zipper displaces the button and a man lacks just that much time to think while dressing at dawn, a philosophical hour, and thus a melancholy hour.

Life is like underwear, should be changed twice a day.

What should I do? Throw up in your typewriter every morning. Yeah. Clean up every noon.

Remember that pianist who said that if he did not practice every day he would know, if he did not practice for two days, the critics would know, after three days, his audience would know.

The Mexican people, once they have happened on a good food, he thought, flay the thing to distraction. Ham and eggs every morning now for two weeks. Since arriving in Guanajuato, bearing his typewriter, it had been the same thing each morning at nine. He stared at his plate, gently grieved. (The Candy Skull)

The zipper displaces the button, and a man lacks that much time to think while dressing at dawn...

El cierre de cremallera desplaza al botón y el hombre ya no dispone de todo ese tiempo para pensar mientras se viste, una hora filosófica y, por tanto, una hora de melancolía.

Mais surtout, j'aime observer les gens. Il m'arrive de passer toute une journée dans le métro à les regarder et à les écouter. Et vous savez quoi? _ Quoi? _ Les gens ne parlent de rien. (...) Ils citent une ribambelle de voitures, de vêtements et de piscines et ils disent: Super! Mais ils disent tous la même chose et personne n'est jamais d'un avis différent.

The zipper displaces the button, and a man lacks just that much time to think while dressing at dawn, a philosophical hour, and this a melancholy hour.

Remember that pianist who said that if he did not practice every day he would know, if he did not practice for two days, the critics would know, after three days, his audiences would know.

Caesareans or not, children are ruinous; you're out of your mind," said Mrs. Phelps. "I plunk the children in school nine days out of ten. I put up with them when they come home three days a month; it's not bad at all. You heave them into the 'parlor' and turn the switch. It's like washing clothes; stuff laundry in and slam the lid." Mrs. Bowles tittered. "They'd just as soon kick as kiss me. Thank God, I can kick back!

It is a great doctor for sore hearts and sore heads, too, your ship's routine, which I have seen soothe—at least for a time—the most turbulent of spirits. There is health in it, and peace, and satisfaction of the accomplished round; for each day of the ship's life seems to close a circle within the wide ring of the sea horizon. It borrows a certain dignity of sameness from the majestic monotony of the sea. He who loves the sea loves also the ship's routine.

He was working hard at increasing his life span. He did it by cultivating boredom.

trying to evade the people who frighten us. We come to work, have lunch, and go home. We goose-step in and goose-step out, changing our partner and wander all about, sashay around for a pat on the head, and promenade home till we all drop dead.

What does the fish remind you of?" "Other fish." "And what do the other fish remind you of?" "Other fish." Major Sanderson sat back disappointedly. "Do you like fish?" "Not especially.

Each morning they came around, three brisk and serious men with efficient mouths and inefficient eyes...

and he sprang out of bed at the crack of noon every day just to make certain that the chores would not be done. He

Focus totally on the routine, and thoughts of results are less likely to imperil any of your transitions.

We were fractious and overpaid. Our mornings lacked promise. At least those of us who smoked had something to look forward to at ten-fifteen.