My girlfriend is called Routine

We met 33 days ago and it's been an intense time. We'd seen each other before, but never really talked properly or given ourselves enough time.

This article is part of the special column: "Workbench + Change"

We've now run more than 500 kilometers . And we've gained an insight that goes far beyond running:

Routine doesn't arise because something becomes easy. It becomes easier because it becomes routine.

• Do you know that?  
• At what point does something new actually stop feeling new?
• When does overcoming something become a habit?
• When does it run more smoothly, when does it become easier?
• And when will this daily negotiation with ourselves disappear?

We're all too familiar with these questions , especially in the business world . New software is being introduced. Artificial intelligence is supposed to support quotations, scheduling, or communication. A new system is meant to simplify processes. A new channel is intended to reach different target groups. Initially, the willingness is often high. Then comes the setback. When the euphoria fades, we encounter the reality. And that usually hurts, or at the very least, becomes a real challenge.

Suddenly, access is lacking. Data isn't properly maintained. The new interface seems cumbersome. Results aren't yet meeting expectations. Employees are asking why the old way isn't sufficient anymore. And somewhere, someone says, "This just doesn't work for us." We often judge a change precisely when it inevitably feels difficult. We mistake a lack of routine for a lack of benefit.

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Over the past few weeks, I've come up with almost every conceivable excuse for not running . Too tired. Too much work. Bad weather. Pain. No time. No motivation. A long meeting. An early start. And always the same question: Why today, anyway? As long as I was negotiating every single day whether or not to go for a run, even the decision itself was exhausting. Running didn't begin with the first step, but with a discussion. Pointless.

The power of routines

Running needed a fixed place in one's routine, like eating, sleeping, or a calendar appointment. It no longer required justification each time . That's precisely the power of routines . They don't automatically make a task easy, but the fundamental question has disappeared, and a plan has become a practice.

Something similar applies to changes in organizations and businesses. Those who only use AI when there's time to experiment are essentially starting from scratch every time. Running a new system alongside an old one without establishing clear rules ensures that, when push comes to shove, everyone reverts to the familiar. And no, routines don't have to be rigid. When running , I adjust my pace, distance, or timing. In business , we change processes, roles, or tools. The crucial point is that we don't immediately question the entire project when faced with resistance, pain, or conflict.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Where there's no will, there's an excuse. Make routine your friend and grow with it.

A bi-weekly column by Daniel-John Riedl and Markus Mazur

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