The Key: A schedule, a routine

The routine of 9-5 provides a structure for employed persons to complete and make progress on the items of their job description.

When unemployed, this externally-imposed structure goes away. Initially, this feels great. Like a vacation. And certainly, those of us who have chosen self-employment understand the joy of creating our own schedule.

That said, the creation of a schedule is key to making progress-- no matter what state of employment (or lack thereof) you're in. And at least for me (and I doubt I'm alone in this), sticking to a schedule and routine does not come easily.

I've been working on (with various degrees of success) creating my own schedule-- at least for M-F. And with a special focus on the beginning of the day because I find that if I can get myself off to a good start, I'm much more likely to end the day feeling accomplished.

Here's mine; what's yours?

6:30 alarm goes off. Yes, while I don't have to get up early, I choose to get up early. I wait in bed until Garrison Keillor has read his poem on The Writer's Almanac. Then I get up and make us espresso, feed the cats, etc etc.

7:30 Dressed (this is key!), I get out of the house (also key!) and walk with Philip to the bus stop-- it's about three-quarters of a mile each way. On the way back, I often go out of my way and walk through the neighborhood, trying to stretch the total walk to 2 miles. Some days I walk the neighbor's dog. Some days I go through the woods and look for the latest wildflowers. Other days, I take my bike for a longer ride along the canal. The point is this: exercise outside in fresh air for at least 30-40 minutes.

8:30-9:30 (depending on the length of walk/ride): This is the tough time for me. This is where I can easily get distracted.

Upon returning home, I might swing through the yard to see how the garden is coming. I may weed. At some point, I make myself another cup of coffee and a bowl of granola-fruit-yogurt.

What I'm trying to do now is use this time to write my blog. But sometimes, I find that the morning has shot by because I get caught up in email or facebook or web-surfing, and before I know it, Kojo Nnamdi has come on the radio which means it's noon, and I haven't written a thing.

A note on distractions. Some distractions may not be bad. But instead of starting with them, end with them. Reward yourself with them after you've accomplished something on your list of goals. I love to do genealogy. But I can spend hours on it. And if I get started, the whole day can disappear. Now, it's a reward: when I've accomplished goals a, b and c, then I'll give myself permission to spend some time on it.

Another thing helps with that morning slot is to know just what it is I need or want to accomplish each day. This makes a HUGE difference. I choose no more than three things at any given time. And I write them down as if they are done:

1. The car has passed emissions
2. The taxes are submitted
3. The consulting proposal to ABC organization has been sent in

I may (and do) have a much longer list. But I list no more than three at a time, the things I really really want done.

These things make up the rest of my day.

At the end of the day, I check them off my list and make my list for the next day.

In part because of the work I've started with the book Work With Passion, I'm also asking myself at the end of each day: What did I feel best about today? When did I experience the greatest "passion"?

So what's your schedule, your routine?