So, today is the first day I am implementing the new daily routines.  Let’s take a look at the constraints of my day.  I work a typical 8 - 5 job but don’t punch a time clock.  My job is about 50% interruption driven (that’s probably a conservative estimate) so any plan I have once I get to work is often quickly derailed by the latest emergency.  (I’m part facilities director/part finance director/part IT director - hence why so many interruptions - as soon as email goes down it becomes the most pressing issue I have to deal with - all the rest of my tasks be damned).  Therefore, I want to get my day off to and close my day off with a nice routine process that helps me center for the day.  So here is my proposed daily routine:

Morning Routine

1. Wake at 5:30.  I’ve been doing this for years, but not getting up - I normally hit snooze several times so the goal here is to get up and get moving.
2. Fix hot tea, water, or fruit/vegetable juice and an appropriate breakfast.  I typically grab a diet coke and pack of pop tarts, even though I know I feel better if I grab a piece of whole wheat toast and glass of V8 juice.
3. Pack lunch for the day if applicable.  Many days I have lunch meetings so this doesn’t matter, but when possible, I want to start packing lunch.
4. Do blog post. - my accountability mechanism
5. Meditate/Read/Pray - start my day centered
6. Feed, water, walk cats/dog.
7. Shower/dress for the day.

My Evening Routine

My goal here is to get to be by 10 p.m., hopefully to sleep by 10:30.  This means the following routine:

1. Take care of personal items (brush teeth, wash face, etc.)
2. Clean litter boxes/check pet food/walk dog
3. Turn off TV at 10:00 p.m.
4. Read until sleepy, but no later than 10:30.