My Startup Routine

Many productivity experts recommend a routine for getting started on your work each day. I have found this helpful in avoiding resistance and overcoming procrastination. I also find that using this routine helps me get into a state of flow more often, and short of that it definitely helps me focus on my work.

Here is my startup routine:

1. Turn on my computer
2. Start music (this helps me focus – I pick music I am familiar with that will not become a distraction)
3. Preview schedule and Current Initiative (see article on Do It Tomorrow and Other Secrets of Time Management by Mark Forster for more information about the concept of a “Current Initiative”)
4. Check deadlines on my calendar. If I have any deadlines, I add the associated tasks to the top of my task list.
5. Review Today view in my task manager, Things
6. Prepare for any meetings for the day
7. Clear inboxes
8. Pause and decide what’s next
   

Regarding item # 6, preparing for meetings, I set up a note-taking template for each meeting. I will post about this template in a future post. Being prepared for each meeting helps me be more productive during those meetings, and provides me with the resources and key links so I can jump right into the conversation. In addition, this prevents me from having to stop working ahead of each meeting to prepare.

I highly recommend developing a startup routine. Having a startup routine helps me in getting past any resistance to work and helps me quickly find focus.