All good structures need, well, structure. This is pretty obvious when talking about buildings: you can’t build a strong building on a weak foundation or without strong walls. You can try, of course, but sooner or later things come crashing down. The same is true of organizations: you can’t build an enduring organization, even a simple one, with an unstable structure. Again, you can try, but sooner or later the organization breaks down. What is sometimes not as obvious is how much your work life—especially your job—depends and thrives on structure.

What does this structure look like in your job? Organized Routines™. What are Organized Routines? Sets of recurring tasks that keep your job running smoothly, like the tasks you do again and again to keep your boss happy, your skills sharp, and your workspace clean. Organized Routines help your job go smoothly in several ways. First, Organized Routines help externalize the numerous assumptions and expectations both you and your boss have about your job—expectations about what you’re responsible to do when—about everything from what your priorities are each day, when you’ll touch base each week, and how often you’ll receive formal feedback. Second, Organized Routines help bosses and employees calibrate their expectations about all these large and small pieces of your job, resulting in less wasted time, frustration, and power struggles. Organized Routines not only bring more understanding, harmony, and fulfillment to your day-to-day work, they also create culture and tradition in your job.

“What are Organized Routines? Sets of recurring tasks that keep your job running smoothly.”

So how do you make Organized Routines come alive in your job? Three simple words: each, every, and always. When you and your boss know that each Monday you touch base, every month you have an informal lunch meeting, and that you always have formal reviews quarterly, you both not only have more reliability in your schedules, you also have something to look forward to. While there can be some resistance to overcome when starting or adjusting a routine, bosses and employees naturally embrace them because Organized Routines provide the structure both need to stay effective.

Our software—Tactick—is built specifically for these each, every, and always tasks. What’s more, Tactick has a library with dozens of Organized Routines already built out. From organized productivity routines and reporting routines to organized administrative routines and culture routines, Tactick brings the power of each, every, and always to all aspects of your job. Sign up now and try Tactick for free through the end of next month!