The reporter asked a routine question to begin his interview with an internationally acclaimed marketing executive. He got a surprising answer in return.

"To what do you attribute your highly successful career?" he asked.

"Sunday nights," came the answer.

"Sunday nights? I don't understand what you mean."

"It's just common sense, when you stop to think about it," the executive explained.

"I work hard every week from early Monday morning until late Friday afternoon. From Friday night until about mid-afternoon Sunday, I take care of personal things and I play hard. I recharge my mind and body.

"Then I wind down the playing and devote Sunday night to preparing for the work week ahead. I eat an early, sensible dinner. I review the previous week – my wins and my losses. Next, I go through my briefcase, reading everything that bears on the coming five days. I concentrate on what I want to accomplish during the week. I create my game plan. I set specific goals. I write out a checklist with priorities for myself. I prepare the same sort of list for my secretary. I write various "please do" memos for my secretary.

"I even plan my wardrobe for the week and I polish my shoes. That may sound a little bit strange. But don't laugh. I just do not want anything to distract me from the important things I want to accomplish.

"I make sure I read the Sunday newspapers and at least skim over the highlights of the weekly news magazines. I know something will come up about current events during the week, and I don't mean to be caught mumbling and changing the subject.

"Finally, I go to bed, visualizing what I am going to accomplish during the week. I get a good night's sleep.

"When I walk into the office on Monday morning, I am already ahead of the game."

In a nutshell, this achiever was talking about simple planning and preparation to make the best of his time, his energy – all of his resources.

This common sense idea seems as obvious as the nose on your face. But there are a great many people who don't act on it. Doesn't this create a real opportunity for those who are dedicated to building a winning career?

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Ramon Greenwood is a former Senior Vice President of American Express. For information about his E-Book on "boss relationships" and to subscriber to his f*ee semi-monthly newsletter contact him at ramon@commonsenseatwork.com