My grandfather had a butler. Not the Alfred kind. No, he had a wooden contraption where he hung his next day’s clothes. It had a small shelf which held the contents of his pockets. Remember carrying change?

I admit to two layouts at night. The first pile is for my morning workout (bike, run, or swim) and the second pile is what I’m going to wear for the day. Normal routine for me. Genes and jeans if you will. I find it freeing to not have to make those decisions in the dark mornings. Don’t worry I’m fully able to make other decisions during the day.

I liken this practice to the pieces of our work practice that set up other steps for success. Laying out the day on the calendar. Having notes before a call. Bringing the right people to a meeting.

Try it. Fewer mismatched socks. Fewer missteps during the day. Tell ‘em there’s no mystery, “the butler did it.”