Morning routine

[rangi500]

Do any of you find it useful to have a morning routine? I've just been planning on establishing one for myself, for things to do once I arrive at work in the morning.

So far it goes like this:

1. Check for and deal with urgent issues
2. Review calendar (check hard landscape and my calendar is my ticker file)
3. Get email inbox to empty (either delete, file or deflect to an NA list)
4. Update lists before reviewing (@work, @home, @computer, waiting for, etc)
5. Review @WORK
6. Review @COMPUTER (these can be done from work or home computer)
7. Read news (nothing to do with GTD, just something I want to do)
8. Start my day (by looking at what's on and choosing something to do)

I've only done this two days so far but will let you know how I get on....

Does anyone else here use a morning routine to get things off to a good start? I'd be really interested to hear what you guys think.

Best regards,
Rangi

[AdamMiller81]

My morning routine is pretty much the same, with only the additions of a daily team meeting and reviewing my tickler file. I find it works pretty well at keeping me on top of things, my focus of late has been making sure I review more of the contexts other than just @work.

Some days, especially if the hard landscape is quite full, I'll also make a daily Most Important Task list to work from.

[KellySY]

A morning routine is an excellent idea. My home morning routine is essentially of checklist of things I hope to do before I leave for work, and my work one is a checklist of things I'd like to get done in the first couple of hours of work. The routines may differ slightly depending on the day of the week.

I also have an evening routine (for home) and a before bed routine.

[Borisoff]

I didn't have morning routine so far. I come to my office and jump into the world of business (check calendar, then all-day events and action lists). I don't call it routine as it's more of workflow management :) When I leave the office or at home before going to bed I like to check this forum plus close the day with inboxes processing.

Rangi, how much time does it take to go through all your morning review before you start your day?

Regards,
Eugene.

[cornell]

I think it's a good idea to create a checklist like you list when starting up new habits like GTD. What you'll find is that, after a while, you'll probably internalize the list and no longer need it. However, I had a client who really liked keeping the list around, just for the peace of mind!

[thoppa]

Frankly, I don't think that committing my morning routine to paper is really going to be good for productivity.

1. Go get some coffee.
2. Start computer.
3. Surf web.
4. ....

[Trish]

wow! My routine right here too!

Frankly, I don't think that committing my morning routine to paper is really going to be good for productivity.

1. Go get some coffee.
2. Start computer.
3. Surf web.
4. ....

And since I "work" from home, I really would like to improve on it.

Trish:???:

[unstuffed]

wow! My routine right here too!
And since I "work" from home, I really would like to improve on it.

Trish:???:

Oh, snap. ;)

The funny thing is, I'm actually advising clients on how to sort their lives. I get good feedback, mind you, and can see noticeable changes in them, so what I'm suggesting clearly works.

It would just be nice if I could implement all my own suggestions myself...:rolleyes:

[KellySY]

Frankly, I don't think that committing my morning routine to paper is really going to be good for productivity.

1. Go get some coffee.
2. Start computer.
3. Surf web.
4. ....

Which is why I have a morning routine at all. I get to do what you've listed, plus.

[rmaclema]

My morning routine is stock GTD. I don't use a list because it's so ingrained, but basically I
1. Check my mailbox and bring anything in it to my physical inbox
2. Check and process both e-mail accounts
3. Process my physical inbox

I sometimes go straight to my office and sometimes straight to schools. I'm a Technology Coach and I work with school level Tech Specialists. If I'm going to a school in the morning instead of the office, I'll actually stop someplace with wireless access and check both of my e-mail accounts before getting to my destination. That way, they don't feel like I'm showing up and then immediately ignoring them by processing my e-mail.

[webhak]

I end up writing out my morning routine on either a Hipster PDA card or, more recently, a Note in Outlook. Like most people here, I try and create a habit and stick to it. For me, it keeps me efficient and productive...which in turn keeps me employed!:p

I have four major areas of responsibility right now: Multisport Training; Job 1; Job 2; and Family. For someone like me who has the attention span of a six-year-old, it's important for me to build routines as much as the creative personality in me hates to be "disciplined."

As the emphasis in each of those four areas changes, I will alter my morning/8-5/evening routines to best advance my goals during that period. I rely on the written routine for the first week or two so I can ingrain my new schedule until it becomes a habit.

My routine starts at 4 a.m. and ends about 9:30 p.m. and I simply alter the "blocks" of time in between to suit my needs and that of my family.

John

[Chad]

I have to do a morning checklist, or I never get off the ground...it'll suddenly be 4:30pm and I'll have accomplished no priorities at all.

I print out a physical sheet with my morning checklist (quite similar to the one above, with some daily tasks specific to my job and current projects that require daily action). I physically check off each item.

And as part of my morning routine, I find it helpful to estimate the time my major tasks will take, and write out a brief schedule of my day with each of them assigned to a specific time (including anything from my calendar as well).

The whole thing takes about 20 minutes, but by the end of that 20 minutes, I have a lot accomplished already, I have a clear head, and I have a great deal of momentum going into the day.

[SKY]

Wake @ 3:50 AM
Work @ 6:10 AM, my golden work time! Work hours start @ 8 AM.
1) Boot computer make a pot of coffee.
2) Open all sofware programs to be used for the day.
3) Review emails that came in over night while listening to John Hancock WBT Charlotte NC. POD cast.
4) Make second pot of coffee, review Task list and calendar.
5) Make third pot of coffee, review NA folder.
6) Wow! People are starting to come in to play!

[TesTeq]

Wake @ 3:50 AM
Work @ 6:10 AM, my golden work time! Work hours start @ 8 AM.

Waking up at 3:50 AM seems to be a little extreme when you start your work at 6:10 AM. I do not like to wake up when it is completely dark.

[SKY]

Waking up at 3:50 AM seems to be a little extreme when you start your work at 6:10 AM. I do not like to wake up when it is completely dark.

Yes, this is extreme. This is an addiction I started 30 years ago. I have not been able to change this.

[webhak]

Yes, this is extreme. This is an addiction I started 30 years ago. I have not been able to change this.

Out of curiosity, do you work in the finance or accounting field? Every auditor or finance person I've worked with likes the early a.m. work hours. ;)

John

[SKY]

Out of curiosity, do you work in the finance or accounting field? Every auditor or finance person I've worked with likes the early a.m. work hours. ;)

John

Purchasing. I oversee 22 manufacturing facilities and there is something to do 24/7.

[Carolinec]

As an early riser, my mornings (5:00 - 8:00 am) are for me. To help get the most out of these, I did a mindmap of my ideal/dream mornings. Ended up including things that inspire, get me going for the day, moving ahead on my "fun" and self-improvement projects, and generally feeling good about the rest of the day that is intense at work.

When I arrive to the office, I go through a checklist of my routine (similar to what you've posted), and grab a cup of coffee in the cafeteria - so I can run people I need to. As I move into some more structured type weeks (regular meetings on certain days, for example), I'm adding these to my checklist.

This really helps me to focus, and start the day with some momentum. The days I fall of the wagon, I feel I'm wasting prime morning time.

[jsturtridge]

What a great idea. I often find myself disappearing too far into the day without getting stuff done as I get caught down a rabbit hole too early ...

[dal1mdm]

[QUOTE=SKY;47684]Wake @ 3:50 AM
Work @ 6:10 AM, my golden work time! Work hours start @ 8 AM.
QUOTE]

You must really enjoy your work!?

[dal1mdm]

[QUOTE=dal1mdm;47785][QUOTE=SKY;47684]Wake @ 3:50 AM
Work @ 6:10 AM, my golden work time! Work hours start @ 8 AM.
QUOTE]

You must really enjoy your work!?

[neil007]

For me a habit I really am trying to develop is reading my goals first thing everyday to keep them at the front of mind all day.

[SKY]

You must really enjoy your work!?[/QUOTE]

It's like working in a toy store!

[rachel134]

Every time I try to develop a morning routine, it lasts only a day or two, because almost every day is different. So I really need 3 routines.

Routine A: Monday & Wednesday:
1. Exercise, shower, dress, breakfast
2. plan day during 18 block walk to shuttle bus (8 to 8:30 AM)
3. arrive at office 8:45 to 9; check email, answer emails from students
4. start whatever is my #1 priority (written on 3x5 card evening before)

Routine B: Tuesday & Thursday:
1. Exercise, shower, dress, breakfast
2. 8 or so, at home: check emails & answer important ones
3. 9:15 to 10: review lectures (without notes) while walking 19 blocks to class
4. 10 to 2 (technically this isn't even morning, is it?): class
then shuttle bus to office, work on priority items

Routine C: Friday & Sunday, At home:
1. exercise, dress
3. read newspaper over breakfast
3. plan day--errands? prep lectures? write article? grade papers?
4. follow plan

Rachel

[TesTeq]

Every time I try to develop a morning routine, it lasts only a day or two, because almost every day is different. So I really need 3 routines.

Routine A: Monday & Wednesday:
1. Exercise, shower, dress, breakfast
2. plan day during 18 block walk to shuttle bus (8 to 8:30 AM)
3. arrive at office 8:45 to 9; check email, answer emails from students
4. start whatever is my #1 priority (written on 3x5 card evening before)

Routine B: Tuesday & Thursday:
1. Exercise, shower, dress, breakfast
2. 8 or so, at home: check emails & answer important ones
3. 9:15 to 10: review lectures (without notes) while walking 19 blocks to class
4. 10 to 2 (technically this isn't even morning, is it?): class
then shuttle bus to office, work on priority items

Routine C: Friday & Sunday, At home:
1. exercise, dress
3. read newspaper over breakfast
3. plan day--errands? prep lectures? write article? grade papers?
4. follow plan

Rachel

What about Saturday? No morning routine at all?

[jackiwhitford]

Up until a few months ago, I woke up without an alarm at 4:30 AM EST everyday. I would get a steaming mug of peppermint tea, go through my inbox and start my GTD routine. I would check email, return phone calls and leave messages (really answers to questions), etc. Then I would spend a few minutes visualizing a perfect day at work (finding answers I need to resolve issues), shower and eat breakfast. This whole process took about 2-3 hours.

Then about three months ago, my body decided it wanted to sleep from 7 PM to Midnight and then wake up for the day. I tried fighting it, but surrendered to it and gave up. Now I do my GTD routine at midnight while I am cleaning house, doing laundry, brain mapping personal and professional ideas. I usually telecommute and I sign in at 8 AM, ssince we have people on our team in three time zones. If I am going into the office, I get there by 8 AM so I can have breakfast with my peers and get some issues resolved before we get online for the day.

I do not know how long the insomnia will last, but I have certainly got more done from midnight to 7 pm than I ever did from 4:30 to 10 pm. Go figure.