My Daily Routine Under A Microscope??

A few months ago I published my first book How Successful People Get Ish Done, which unveils my 7-step framework for accomplishing any goal. In the second step of the framework, I talk about the power of having great habits, rituals, and routines.

I first discovered the power of routines while growing up and trying to balance sports, school, extracurricular activities, helping around the house, and making time for my friends. 

As I grew older, I continued to refine my routine and be more intentional about how I was spending my time. This came really helpful in college and for the first few years after graduating while I was starting an entertainment company, DJ’ing across the country, remaining consistent with my workouts, and progressing throughout my career at LinkedIn.

My daily routine changes slightly depending on the major commitments that I have in my life at the time, but for the most part, it remains consistent week over week.

Ish’s Weekday Routine

5:10 AM - Hue lights automatically turn on, mimicking a golden sunrise

5:15 AM - Wake up, do my bed, and stretch (only 1 alarm)

5:20 AM - Listen to an audiobook while I brush my teeth and prep for the gym

5:40 AM - Start working out (I listen to the same mix every day)

7:00 AM - Finish workout and shower

7:15 AM - Take vitamins and make breakfast (3 eggs, an egg white, turkey breast + greens)

7:50 AM - Start the workday 

11:30 AM - Listen to an audiobook while cooking lunch 

11:50 AM - Eat lunch away from my workstation 

12:00 PM - Back to work

2:30 PM - Afternoon snack away from my workstation while listening to an audiobook

2:40 PM - Back to work

5:30 PM - Finish work, decompress, stretch & roll back out (while listening to an audiobook)

6:00 PM - Dinner with family (no phone)

7:00 PM - Talk with Yessi

8:00 PM - Ish time (documentaries, finishing up work, or making progress on a side project)

9:00 PM - Prep for bed and lay out my gym clothes for the following day

9:15 PM - In bed while listening to Calm app (Rain or Beach setting only)

9:20 PM - Hue lights start to dim

9:25 PM - Lights out, phone underneath the bed, and eyes shut

9:45 PM - KO (usually fully asleep before 10 PM)

Notes

• The routine above does not normally vary by more than 20-30 mins each day
• My phone is used as the morning alarm and placed under my bed so that I must get up to turn it off
• While working, I always have a DJ set playing with over-ear headphones (continuity of music helps me focus)
• I aim to drink 160 oz of water every day (40 oz Hydroflask x 4)
• I keep a physical notebook with me at all times to jot down ideas
• Any time I drive my car, I’m listening to an audiobook or podcast
• I have all notifications off on my phone except for phone calls and text messages that come from a saved number
• I check email at specific times throughout the day to avoid the dreadful email loop (send 10 emails and get 5 immediate response, while responding to those, you get another 2-3 and next thing you know, you’ve spent half of your workday sending emails)
• I use tools like Calendly to avoid back and forth schedule planning 
• At one point, I hired an assistant for a few months to help with my personal schedule and miscellaneous admin tasks, this freed up some time for me to focus on writing the book
• Saturdays I sleep in till 7:30 AM and try not to work (quality time with Yessi)
• Sundays I sleep in till 7:00 - 8:30 AM depending on how my body feels. I usually spend half of the day relaxing with Yessi or family, a few hours doing chores, and at least a few hours getting work done for the upcoming week (I usually get some of my best creative work done on Sunday afternoons)

From studying the world’s most successful people, I’ve learned that every single one of them works to develop strong habits, rituals, and routines. The best advice I can give is to you is to start by taking inventory of where you are currently spending your time, notice your habits (both good and bad), then develop an ambitious (but realistic) routine. Once you’ve got that down after a few weeks you can tighten it more and more until you shake off all the rest of your bad habits and build strong ones.

If you find this content to be helpful then you’d love my book!

You can read the first section for free here.