I call routine items "activities." My main controls for these items are checklists and the tickler file. The key difference for me is that projects are for attaining an outcome, whereas activities are for maintaining an outcome. When you have satisfied the outcome of a project, you are done. When you have satisfied the outcome of an activity, you are done for now.

There are some high-level outcomes that drive both projects and routine activities. For example, let's take the outcome "I am fit." First, you would start with a project or two to get fit, like going on a diet or starting an exercise program. Then you would follow that with ongoing activities to stay fit. However, from time to time, new projects might arise again from this high-level outcome. For example, you might decide to stop doing Power Yoga and start doing Pilates. So, you would start a project to select and join a Pilates class, which would then segue into the ongoing activity of attending the class.