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Today, I encourage you to change something routine about yourself.  It could be the hairstyle, the desk you work at or even the type of clothes you wear.  It doesn’t matter exactly what you change, just make yourself uncomfortable by doing something out of the norm.

Just so you know I’m practicing this with you, I’m writing this post at Panera Bread with free WIFI access.  When you blog here, there is free internet, air conditioning and even music for relaxation!

The reason why we want to change something routine is because we want to stimulate our mind to become more focus and motivated. We routinely go to work, sit at the same desk, type on the same computer and drive the same car on the same route! Everything is so routine that we sometimes even see the same people in the traffic jams to and from work!

Even more complicated things can get routine. In my day job, I am a salesperson that routine fly to the East Coast, US on business trip. You would think that this is quite unique and every travel is different, but after 2 years of doing this, I’m starting to see familiar people in airports and airplanes! If you think about it, how can we be motivated to do anything in this environment of thoughtless execution every day?

Once you change something routine, you will find that it’s very stimulating and you will be much more motivated. I once decided to walk to work instead of drive. It took me one hour but I had a few fun conversations with my coworkers that morning which kicked the morning off in the right direction.

Just now when I was writing this article, someone walked by and talked to me about macs and how he’s made a few million dollars by buying Apple (APPL) stock. It was a change of pace and certainly gives me some ideas about future articles!

I know not everyone can just move their desk at their workplace, but I’ve seen people have meetings in the lunchroom instead of the conference room so be creative.

Change the norm, and you will be happier and much more motivated.