Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 23rd

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. – Aristotle

Your first ritual that you do during the day is the highest leveraged ritual, by far, because it has the effect of setting your mind, and setting the context, for the rest of your day. – Eben Pagan

Over the last couple of weeks, Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week has been about routine.  Recently, I talked about how I had my morning routine discombobulated.  While sitting at the airport cleaning out my email, I read this great idea from Southern Etiquette Consultants that possibly could have helped me on that crazy morning:

If punctuality doesn't come naturally, give yourself an additional 10 minute "emergency gap" to allow for last-minute activities. Create a playlist for your morning routine that is exactly as long as you have to get ready - it's a fun way to keep yourself on track. But if you know you're going to be late ahead of time, communicate this to your friends, coworkers, or host through a quick, apologetic call NOT a text.

http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=41cdb8f166c7619a71161c838&id=6f14daa5b7&e=38a9caca3f

My concern is that my playlist would end and I would still do "one more thing” before I could leave my apartment.  However, I can see how it can give context on how much time we have before we need to leave. 

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK!!!

Life begins each morning. – Joel Olsteen

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 16th

I like routine. - Gail Porter

I like having a routine, because everything else... is so unpredictable. - Jordana Brewster

Routinize the routine. The things that aren't important to you, whether it's breakfast or your commute, try to do them with the least energy possible so that leaves you with more energy for other things. - Robert Pozen

Henry James, who was a 19^th century literary writer, would prepare for the next day after dinner the night before by making notes about the topics and subjects he wanted to write about.  By having a written plan, he would wake up with clarity and purpose for his day.  

I highly recommend a nightly routine.  For me, I am working on establishing a new evening routine by coming home and reading instead of watching television.  My goals for this new routine are to help me relax, increase my knowledge and accomplish my reading goal for 2016.  After dinner, I washes dishes, prepare the coffee pot for my morning coffee, make my lunch, pack my briefcase and wipe down counters in the kitchen and bathroom.  In the morning, everything is ready and I do not rush around my apartment getting organized.  This is so important to the success of my day that I have actually come home during lunch if I have an evening meeting and prepare everything for my next morning.  

CHALLENGE: Each of us will have different things we will want to incorporate into our evening routines including a beauty routine, reading before bed, etc.  Below are articles of successful people and what their evening routines include to help you research ideas.  My suggestion is that your nightly routine be geared toward helping you prepare to accomplish your action steps and 2016 goals the next day.

Resources

http://www.mydomaine.com/nightly-routines-of-successful-women/slide23

http://www.fastcompany.com/3042968/work-smart/the-evening-routines-of-the-most-successful-people

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 9th

The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine. – Mike Murdock

I like having a routine, because everything else... is so unpredictable. - Jordana Brewster

A couple weeks ago, I had a meeting downtown that started at 10:15am.  I knew I had to leave my apartment at 9:15am to make sure I had adequate time to drive in wonderful Austin traffic, find a parking spot and walk to the office of where the meeting was.  Since I was not going to my office before the meeting, I worked from home.  While working, I watched the clock to make sure I had time to finish getting ready and continued to do “one more thing”.  As time ticked away and 9:15am got closer, I started rushing because I realized I had not adequately planned.  I made it to the meeting with plenty of time to spare, but I do not like to rush.  

Why was I rushing?  My morning routine was discombobulated.  A recent stat I heard said that our lives our 90% routine.  On usual mornings, I have my normal routine of waking up and doing my morning devotional, working out, showering, eating breakfast and leaving for the office.  When my morning routine changes, it is often hard to make the flow of my day work.

As humans, we are creatures of habit.  My challenge to you is to use this for your benefit.  Develop a routine that will help you accomplish your goals.  A Forbes article I read said that the most successful people accomplish their five most important daily tasks before 8am each morning.

Challenge: Last week, you created a list of action steps to help you accomplish your goals and dreams.  Develop a routine to daily accomplish those action steps early in the day. 

I do better with routines and predictability. I don't react well when there's a sudden change in the schedule. - Gretchen Rubin

Success is something you attract, by the person you become. - Jim Rohn

Source:http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2013/10/02/5-things-super-successful-people-do-before-8-am/#e4752ff2d08e