Routines can be quite beneficial, providing stability and predictable consistency. That’s why athletes have pre-shot or pre-game rituals. And the same is true for performers taking the stage, or sales pros stepping into a meeting.

But routines lose their function when they stop delivering results. Patterns devolve over time – that’s entropy at work. And at such moments, it’s time to shake it up and try something else.

Deliberate means conscious and intentional. Higher aim will inform new options and expand your awareness. And gaining confidence takes this curious combo of internal clarity and detachment – just try it and find out.  Here are some examples.

1. Your Morning Routine. What can you change about how you get up and engage the day? What are your first thoughts or behaviors you can elevate to empower what follows?

2. Communication Patterns. When you notice conversations following predictable patterns or descending into conflict that’s a cue to listen more carefully and say something different, or stop saying what’s unhelpful.

3. Health Patterns. A friend of mine decided every time he wanted a cigarette he’d instead do 20 pushups. He quit smoking and got stronger, mentally and physically. What can you do different to make a small, or significant, health improvement?

4. Success Patterns. If you aren’t getting the results you want, model someone who is. Intentionally say or do something you haven’t done before.

So, what will you do that’s deliberately different? It doesn’t have to be forever. Try it for a day. A week. A month. If it’s not working now, what do you have to lose? And what might you gain? Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.