When I created Cultural Offering, I modeled it after a web site call Execupundit, a site maintained by Michael Wade a Partner with the consulting firm of Sanders, Wade, Rodarte Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona.  I've never met Wade but know that he is a good fellow because he has Paul Johnson's History of the American People, and Art: A New History on his bookshelf.  He also has a set of Will Durant's History of Civilization at hand.  Taken together, these are good signs.

Over the last year or so I've come to know Mr. Wade and asked him for his daily routine:

"Early morning [4:30 to 6:00]: Shower. Check and answer email. Review my hit list for the day. Post some blog items. I try to focus on the top two priorities throughout the day. When one is done, I pull another from the back bench. I read the Wall Street Journal. Speed-read The Arizona Republic. Glance at the obits to make sure that none of my appointments have died. I also leave news magazines at the kitchen table so I can read them at breakfast.

News stories are sorted into these categories: Should Monitor Closely – Can Be Monitored Once a Week – Wait a Month to See What Happened – Worthless.

I am a terrible networker.  When I meet with people it is usually over coffee as opposed to breakfast or lunch because coffee takes less time and is cheaper.

I try to avoid back-to-back meetings.  Only two major meetings in either a morning or an afternoon are doable or brain cells are lost.  I prefer only one major meeting in the morning and one in the afternoon. I follow Lin Bothwell’s dictum:  It takes a darned good meeting to beat no meeting at all.   If I can avoid a meeting, I do so.  I do have a lot of 10 to 15 minute meetings.

If I’m teaching a class, I throw a lot of energy into it. As a result, I’m not good for much for around three hours afterwards.

I like major decisions boiled down to one sheet of paper. I don’t absorb information very effectively unless I can see the concept. If listening, I have to write or doodle.

Since my office is close to home, if possible I try to go home for lunch. It is a touch of civilization and gives me some time to think. I keep books and magazines in the car. Reading material must always be at hand.I prefer using email versus phone calls and ruthlessly delete email. I use my cell phone to make calls more than receive them.

As for returning phone calls:  Unless it is an emergency or there might be a problem reaching the other person, I return phone messages shortly before lunch and shortly before 5:00.  That tends to keep the conversations shorter.  Some calls are saved for later in the evening.

Classical music or movie soundtracks can be a great productivity booster. 

I try to leave the office at five or six at the latest. I usually, however, do some work at home. Many a DVD has been watched while working on the computer.

Evening:  Reading interspersed with client projects, grading papers for my business law class, and posting blog entries for the next morning.

Exercise time (swimming or treadmill) is reserved for around 9:00 or 9:30. I try to be in bed by NLT 10:30.  I also write at night.  I try to read at least a book a week and am usually juggling around four at a time.  Time is set aside each day to catch up on what my kids, who are in their twenties, are doing.

My wife and I talk a lot.  She works an unusual schedule so I try to be there when she gets home."