Hello everybody. Sorry for the lag. I got caught up in the beautiful Minnesota summer!
Today I wanted to talk about routines. You have one. Your client has one. No matter the level of ambition or status, everyone has a routine.
Here’s my typical routine:
Get up at 7:30.
Get ready for work.
Arrive at work at 8:45.
Take a walk for lunch around noon.
Leave work at 5:30.
Stop by the library to pick up a movie or book.
Eat dinner at home.
Watch Seinfeld at 6:30.
Go to the gym (7:30 – 9pm).
Write until 11pm (blogs, etc.)
Watch Seinfeld at 11.
Go to bed at 11:30.
Now say I’m a participant in a research study. You asked for my routine and I gave it. 6 months later you try all the phone numbers and nothing works. Here’s some options:
1. Go by my house around 6:30.
2. Leave a message at the library I frequent.
3. Send an email through my blog.
4. Stop by the gym at 8pm.
5. Send a letter to my work.
6. Drive around my workplace around noon.
Getting people’s routine gives you options when the phone numbers dry up. I’ve found many people because I knew their routine. Give it a shot.
Comments!
At some point during the evaluation, you’ll likely have to relay some bad or inconvenient news. However, the strategy referred to as a “compliment sandwich,” coined by the TV show “Family Guy,” actually works. Here’s an example. 
