a leader's routine

This past Monday I was invited up to the Concordia University Texas baseball field to listen to Jake Arietta speak to our team's pitchers.  Jake, who is currently a free agent, played for the Chicago Cubs from 2014-2018 and was a key piece to their World Championship in 2017 (I am still holding out hope he will re-sign with them before the year begins).  Much of Jake's talk with our pitching squad was on preparation and getting ready to take the mound and pitch one's very best.  Some of it had to do with watching film, both of himself and the players he would face...some of it had to do with the regular physical exercise he does from day to day...some of it had to do with the mental exercises he does from day to day...some of it had to do with the routine of what happens on game day...and some of it had to do with the routine he goes through right before taking the mound.  All of this talk of routine and preparation got me thinking about the routine and preparation a leader goes through so that he or she is on the top of their game each and every day.  What is is that a leader should routinely do so that each day they can make good decisions, be a relationship master, clearly articulate the vision, and provide sufficient resources for their organization?  Here are a few examples of what I would consider good practices for a leader's daily routine:

• quiet time: whether at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day, being quiet and just relaxing helps one to gather their thoughts and start fresh.
• meditation: beyond just quiet time, this is prolonged time in which one works to empty the mind and just be still.  Many people find it valuable to meditate several times a day.
• prayer: talking to one's God and considering the needs of others helps to bring focus and create a reliance on something greater than oneself.  While many people pray throughout the day, a certain time set aside each day to engage in this practice can make it more valuable and rich.
• walking: whether it is the walk from one's car to their office, a brisk morning walk in the neighborhood, or a walk around the building during lunch, the act of exercise and quiet can help to prepare the leader for their work
• reading: for some it is the routine of reading the daily newspaper...for some it is reading a poem each morning...for some it is the reading of a scriptural text.  Taking the time to read and think about what one has read can help to create clarity for the day.
• emptying the inbox: the routine of either cleaning the inbox before one leaves the office or immediately in the morning helps to clear the clutter and begin the day fresh.
• writing: the act of journaling is a powerful tool to help one think about their life and their work in new ways.  Whether it is free writing, reflecting on something that has read, or crafting a poem every day, writing has been proven to be one of those routines that can can have great impact.

There are many other types of actions one can routinely take to impact their day-to-day leadership.  Choosing what that routine is; being thoughtful about how that routine is impacting one's leadership; sticking to that routine over time; and then reflecting regularly on the routine are all a part of what makes a leader able to perform at their highest level each and every day,  What's your routine? And what have you done lately to connect that routine to your leadership performance?