What is your Successful Routine?

It seems like a number of people settle in a routine after Labour Day.  Summer is unofficially over, kids are back in school and suddenly we focus on our routine getting back to normal.

For People Like Us, we have a Successful Routine, regardless of the seasons and school schedules. Here is a typical routine that works well for me and would like to share it with you.

Early to rise.  Yes the early-bird gets the worm.  Enjoy the early fresh start to each and every day.  The second mouse gets the cheese and wanted to add this for those of you who are not early risers.  Beware the early-bird sometimes moves your cheese!

Prioritize the day.  This includes reviewing all notes both digital, e-mail, hand-written and social media communications.  Review the day's schedule and next follow-ups to create the priority task list for the day.

Off to the gym.   Oh before I head out to the gym, coffee goes on.  Great balance here with focus on health and having coffee ready for Carmela when she wakes up.  Since the day is planned there is nothing to worry about and channel energy into the 30-minute workout.

Back home.   There is another benefit of the gym routine so early in the morning.   The benefit is spending time in the morning with the Family before heading to the office or appointment.

The Office routine.   Arrive with the day already prioritized, updated on the news (thanks to the Twitter feeds) and focus on the priority tasks.

Priority Tasks.  Always start with returning messages followed by after-service follow-ups.   Preparation for meetings, discussions and opportunities as per the list created earlier.   Satisfaction in completing each task as the day unfolds.

Appointment follow-ups, new connection follow-ups (including connecting on LinkedIn) and proposal follow-ups are the next tasks in the routine.

Pro-active communications to stay in touch with clients, prospects and associates are next on the list.

Work on the business, team building and generating opportunities are scheduled for most days or grouped together for longer time slots.

Home.   Dinner most evenings with the Family is a priority.   Attending the kids' sports and events is important and strive to schedule attendance to most of them.

Read.   Strive to read every night.  Mostly business topics on a variety of subjects with the goal to always learn from others and see how it can apply to my world.  Of course there are non-business books to keep a good balance.

Early to Bed.   Don't laugh when I share with you it's lights out by 10:30.  Look forward to the next day.

What is your successful routine?