Being a routine-oriented person is by no means a bad thing. Nor should someone of this nature ever rid their routine entirely. Having a routine presents the opportunity to obtain healthy habits and ultimate productivity. However, if you can relate to any of these signs, it might be time to take a step back and ditch your routine (in part) for some spontaneous decision making and creativity.

1. The feeling of being burned out

Monotonous activity tends to lead to boredom. If your routine is the same every day, then you probably aren’t going to feel that same sense of accomplishment that everyday small successes bring. It’s important to add in new goals once you get used to your routine in order to remain productive, stay motivated, and avoid exhaustion.

2. Failure to live in the moment

Often when in a routine, it’s difficult to keep from thinking about what task is next to come. Sometimes to the extent where the present moment receives little to no care at all. It’s forgetfully a planet of opportunity in which we live. Life is such a beautiful thing and you aren’t living in the moment, when are you?

3. Pushing others away

As no two are the same, routines can easily lead to extreme loneliness. Have you ever got so caught up in your routine that you said no to that spontaneous trip, dinner date, etc. you were offered? Regretted it later? This might be a sign that you’re putting your to-do list in front of your social life and experiences. Work hard, play hard people.

4. Learning nothing

Routines are great because everything is planned out. You know exactly what is to come. Perhaps you are routine-oriented because it’s most productive and comfortable. Yet in this comfort, it is easy to lack curiosity about the world around you.

Remember, “knowledge applied is productivity” (Peter Drucker). If you find yourself not learning anything, not gaining new knowledge, becoming slack, add watching the news to your routine and/or pick up a book!