Routines are great. But you should break them.

This might sound counter to what most smart and successful people preach. And though I claim to be neither, hear me out.

Having a solid routine is great for productivity. Whether that be getting work done, improving mental and physical health, or staying organized.

But too much routine puts you on autopilot. This is a good thing in regard to keeping positive habits but too much self-automation causes you to miss a lot. It leads to a life of stagnation and mediocrity.

I’ve written before about how travel can make you live longer. The reason is the constant novelty of the experience.

Going through the same daily motions causes time to pass in a blur. You wake on Monday morning feeling the dread of the work week ahead, and suddenly it’s Friday and you don’t know where the week has gone.

This is why changing up your routines from time to time is so important. For example, my morning routine changes day to day. I have 7 or 8 things I like to include but typically focus on 3 or 4 each day, choosing them at random as the morning progresses.

Having routines is a good thing. And while it might take a little extra discipline and time to form solid habits, you’ll be adding more experience to your life. Because without the novelty of change, without a little good chaos now and then, you’ll miss the entire ride.