The morning hours are precious – a short period of absolute zen to start the day. Building a solid routine that creates calm, inspires efficiency and gives fulfillment takes time. We asked four successful brokers to share how they jumpstart their day, and give family, exercise, self and business priority in their waking hours.
What’s your morning routine?
A typical day for me starts at 6 A.M.; however, when I can, I like to wake up very early — around 4 or 5 A.M. as it is so peaceful and quiet without the interruptions. This is my time to either read a little from one of the three books I am currently reading, all focused around self-improvement and real estate, or to listen to one of my coaching videos, all with a cup of coffee.
How did you establish your routine?
It took a few years to devise a solid routine. I was inspired by the routines of successful people in the business world as well as ideas learned from my coaches.
How has your morning routine changed over the years?
My routine has evolved over the years to starting the day earlier and earlier, with a focus more on educating myself versus immediately jumping into work like I always used to. This seemed to have a more calming effect for me and was a much more effective way to start each day. A great book someone recommended to me a while ago is The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, and it has really made a huge difference in my daily routine.
What do you never skip?
I never skip eating a big breakfast and drinking a large cup of coffee. I cannot function without either of those and my daughter by my side.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day?
I’m not going to lie — I do check my phone when I first wake up in the morning, probably out of habit. I just don’t typically answer it until after 8 A.M.
With regards to emails, after I complete my morning routine of reading or listening to something, I then start responding to emails. I have an assistant to help with emails as I get over 500 a day. She flags the ones that are very time sensitive, so those are my priority first thing in the morning.
What’s your morning routine?
I am up by 5:45 A.M. every day. I typically stop at the office for about a half-hour before my daily workout. I work out with a trainer twice a week, and three times a week I work out at home. I dress and get back to the office between 9 A.M. – 10 A.M., always stopping at Starbucks on the way.
How did you establish your routine?
My routine began a few years ago when my sales volume began to really rise. I had to adjust my day to keep up with my business.
How has it changed over the years?
My routine is adjusted based on how busy I am. Over the last two years, I’ve had to modify my day, beginning earlier to keep up with the business. I finish around 6 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. every evening.
What do you never skip?
I never skip saying good morning to my husband, kissing my dogs and drinking my morning coffee.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day?
My phone is the first thing I check when I wake up. I always check texts first thing but check emails once I’m up and dressed.
What’s your morning routine?
My morning routine really starts the night before. I make sure before I go to bed that every single e-mail has been addressed. Usually my last e-mail is sent around 10:30 P.M. In addition, I make sure that there is a freshly brewed pot of Dark Matter coffee waiting for me when I get up, typically around 7 A.M. The very first thing I do is pour a cup of coffee and start what I call e-mail triage, addressing every e-mail from the night before. It’s amazing how many e-mails I get in the middle of the night. Doesn’t anyone sleep anymore?
How did you establish your routine?
This routine was established based on my clients’ needs. My expectation is to immediately reply to all e-mails and texts, and I always answer my phone. Based on this, I feel that I can be more efficient and quickly address any questions and or concerns that my clients may have, as well as schedule showings for the week.
How has it changed over the years?
Fortunately (or unfortunately), I stay up later and get up earlier to answer and reply to every e-mail. I keep thinking that once I address all the incoming e-mails I’ll be able to take a break; actually, I’m creating more work, but that’s ok. I’m not complaining!
What do you never skip?
I won’t go to bed until I answer every e-mail. Kind of crazy, but I think it helps relax me knowing that everything is nicely tucked in before I go to bed.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day?
If my phone rings, I answer it pretty much 24/7. I have my phone by my side the second I get up, and I literally pop out of bed and start working. Not very glamorous, but that’s what I do.
Frank Montro, Keller Williams Preferred Realty
What’s your morning routine? I wake up at 4:30 A.M.!!!! I immediately thank God for the gift of life and I rattle off five things I am grateful for. Nothing, I mean nothing, is more powerful or motivating than gratitude. Then, I rise like a titan with a heart full of gratitude. I drink a bottle of water, take my vitamins and review my daily affirmations. I do affirmations because I like to take charge of what I am going to think. I program and brainwash my mind to think successfully. What you think, you become. In other words, if you made 50,000 dollars last year, that is because you thought your way to 50,000. If you made a million, then you thought differently. That is why affirmations are important. I guard my mind more than anything else. Then, I’ll check my phone, email and Facebook. I’m looking for anything that requires immediate response and anything I need to add to my to-do list. I love going on Facebook and reposting motivational posts that resonate with me. Lastly, I make a to-do list. I have a top 10 list and a list with the balance of things that need to get done. However, I convert as many of those to-do list items into appointments as quickly as possible; otherwise, most items don’t get done because the day gets so busy. However, if they get on the calendar they get done. I exercise mid-morning with a trainer. How did you establish your routine? By listening to what other high-producing people do and adding their activities to my routine. There is so much information in books, and on YouTube and the Internet in general. How has your morning routine changed over the years? I am constantly reviewing all my business models, including my morning ritual. So if I see something online, read a book or hear something new in a conversation with a top producer, I am going to add it to my ritual if it adds value. Usually I am adding or subtracting affirmations until I get the right combination that works for me. What do you never skip? Daily affirmations. I am obsessed with feeding my mind. How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day? Immediately after I do my affirmations. Sometimes I’ll need to respond quickly to incoming business. My clients are important and deserve an immediate response. Also, they get a kick out of me emailing them at 5 A.M.Melanie Giglio-Vakos, Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
What’s your morning routine?
A typical day for me starts at 6 A.M.; however, when I can, I like to wake up very early — around 4 or 5 A.M. as it is so peaceful and quiet without the interruptions. This is my time to either read a little from one of the three books I am currently reading, all focused around self-improvement and real estate, or to listen to one of my coaching videos, all with a cup of coffee.
How did you establish your routine?
It took a few years to devise a solid routine. I was inspired by the routines of successful people in the business world as well as ideas learned from my coaches.
How has your morning routine changed over the years?
My routine has evolved over the years to starting the day earlier and earlier, with a focus more on educating myself versus immediately jumping into work like I always used to. This seemed to have a more calming effect for me and was a much more effective way to start each day. A great book someone recommended to me a while ago is The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, and it has really made a huge difference in my daily routine.
What do you never skip?
I never skip eating a big breakfast and drinking a large cup of coffee. I cannot function without either of those and my daughter by my side.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day?
I’m not going to lie — I do check my phone when I first wake up in the morning, probably out of habit. I just don’t typically answer it until after 8 A.M.
With regards to emails, after I complete my morning routine of reading or listening to something, I then start responding to emails. I have an assistant to help with emails as I get over 500 a day. She flags the ones that are very time sensitive, so those are my priority first thing in the morning.
Millie Rosenbloom, Baird & Warner
What’s your morning routine?
I am up by 5:45 A.M. every day. I typically stop at the office for about a half-hour before my daily workout. I work out with a trainer twice a week, and three times a week I work out at home. I dress and get back to the office between 9 A.M. – 10 A.M., always stopping at Starbucks on the way.
How did you establish your routine?
My routine began a few years ago when my sales volume began to really rise. I had to adjust my day to keep up with my business.
How has it changed over the years?
My routine is adjusted based on how busy I am. Over the last two years, I’ve had to modify my day, beginning earlier to keep up with the business. I finish around 6 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. every evening.
What do you never skip?
I never skip saying good morning to my husband, kissing my dogs and drinking my morning coffee.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day?
My phone is the first thing I check when I wake up. I always check texts first thing but check emails once I’m up and dressed.
Sam Shaffer, Chicago Properties, Inc.
What’s your morning routine?
My morning routine really starts the night before. I make sure before I go to bed that every single e-mail has been addressed. Usually my last e-mail is sent around 10:30 P.M. In addition, I make sure that there is a freshly brewed pot of Dark Matter coffee waiting for me when I get up, typically around 7 A.M. The very first thing I do is pour a cup of coffee and start what I call e-mail triage, addressing every e-mail from the night before. It’s amazing how many e-mails I get in the middle of the night. Doesn’t anyone sleep anymore?
How did you establish your routine?
This routine was established based on my clients’ needs. My expectation is to immediately reply to all e-mails and texts, and I always answer my phone. Based on this, I feel that I can be more efficient and quickly address any questions and or concerns that my clients may have, as well as schedule showings for the week.
How has it changed over the years?
Fortunately (or unfortunately), I stay up later and get up earlier to answer and reply to every e-mail. I keep thinking that once I address all the incoming e-mails I’ll be able to take a break; actually, I’m creating more work, but that’s ok. I’m not complaining!
What do you never skip?
I won’t go to bed until I answer every e-mail. Kind of crazy, but I think it helps relax me knowing that everything is nicely tucked in before I go to bed.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Do you answer email first thing or leave it until later in the day?
If my phone rings, I answer it pretty much 24/7. I have my phone by my side the second I get up, and I literally pop out of bed and start working. Not very glamorous, but that’s what I do.
