Thursday, February 22, 2007

Isn't Day Light Savings Coming Early This Year?

When I worked at Dow Jones, a bunch of us in the newsroom would whisper about a manager who acted like a vice president years before he became a vice president. Eventually, he did it - he moved into the executive wing and was responsible for several hundred staffers and millions of dollars of budget. The lesson: There's value in emulating people whose rank you want to rise to. (I should note this executive isn't an arrogant man. He simply modeled his work habits on those of his superiors.)

So over on Yahoo! Finance, Jim Citrin details the joys of an early-morning routine. His impetus was a survey he sent to 20 "CEOs and top executives" about how they start their day. Even if you can't take a weekly morning walk through Central Park with a young person seeking your advice, as does one of his sources, his strategy is easily tailored for folks in the trenches. His advice:

  • Start early
  • Get a jump on e-mail
  • Exercise every morning (OK, I skip this one)
  • Be thoughtful about the source, form, and timing of your news
  • Problem-solve
  • Make family time
  • Be creative with your morning routine

As one of those who gets up at 5 in the morning - much to the annoyance of my wife and my dog (the only terrier in the world who likes to sleep in) - I've always felt like I get a jump on the day in those hours when it's quiet, the coffee's fresh, the phone isn't ringing, and no new e-mails are coming in. The article's worth two minutes of your time, maybe with your coffee.

Tapping the Power of Your Morning Routine [Yahoo! Finance]

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