My routine is similar to yours. It has definitely changed over the years as my career has evolved from IC to manager to exec to startup CEO to running my own business as a leadership/career advisor.

I know that I’m lucky to have control over how I plan and schedule my days now. But I still have to do things like exercise first thing in the morning, and have theme days/afternoons to ensure things stay on track.

The one key difference I have is that I start my day with a small cup of coffee and journal before I go to the gym. I try to capture at least 10 crazy and creative ideas every morning before I touch my phone, and before anyone else in the house wakes up (I got this idea from James Altucher).

Some of these ideas end up rolling into my business. Some turn into ideas for articles. Some go into the book I’m writing. Many are just crazy, but stimulate my creativity.