First off, if you don't get the reference in the title, let me assure you, it's not sexual.
Second, there are a lot of threads about exploring so it seems to have gained quite a bit in popularity. I'd be interested in how you deal with the different aspects of it. I have created quite a few routines for myself, and I'm interested whether these are the same for other explorers or if they have other means. That's why I'll be naming some stuff that'll seem obvious, maybe it isn't!
Moving about
The long haul. Plot close to 1,000 Ly, and promise to yourself you're not going to get bogged down in just any system. Only the really interesting ones I allow myself to be distracted by. As long hauling time goes on, the threshold for interesting seems to go down quite a bit. it will degrade from Earthlikes to funky looking gas giants to lava metal planets.
Always try to make sure my 1000ly destination is interesting: a class O, a giant, one of the fuzzy dots on the galmap, a black hole. Spend a considerable amount of time on this. Usually I promise myself to only honk the ADS on the long ones, and usually stick to that unless I'm feeling particularly pumped or see a good photo op. I don't really even bother with Earth-likes if I'm in a rush. Mad, I know, but usually my destination is more important than the credits, and time doesn't permit much dilly-dallying - note this only really applies to LONG trips. If I'm anywhere near local space, I want to put my name on every star and Earth-like and Ammonia world 
Taking it one step at a time. My Asp has a range of 33 Ly, so I'll look for systems in the general direction I was going which look interesting. Traveling in single hops. This works well where the stars are closely packed together.
Only ever do this if I'm exploring a region like a nebula, waiting on a wing mate to sign in, or looking for something specific for video footage. Rest of the time, it's 1000ly jumps and routine.
When the stars become sparser, I'll aim for an interesting looking system, but turn economic routes on. I often have found quite bizarre configurations in docile looking systems. The economic route doesn't take that much longer since scooping is a matter of a couple of seconds.
Ergonomic routes are not my cup of tea
All out vacuum hoovering. Caught myself doing this around 9,000 Lys from Sagi. The hops become 5-10 Ly. Direction isn't that much of an issue anymore. Also what I call Japanese Tourism mode (pardon the generalization). After a week of this and finding I'm still 7,500 Ly away, I forced myself into motion again today.
Deciding what's scan worthy
Barring the obvious: there's an Earthlike or a black hole or a neutron star and such.
I go for what's interesting visually or scientifically over what's worth credits, but my mood can change on shorter trips and go for the bucks.
For some reason I like Metal content planets. They're colourfull and usually close together. Not too interested white or brown gas giants, but will go after the disco ball giants. It's also very spur of the moment. I might pass a system by, but scan a similar system the next day.
I also like the metals and often find myself going right up to them to check them out. I'd like to explore more gas giants but they are almost always too far away, and I'm almost always in a rush...
Level of OCD
Or what distance will you travel? Anything under 100,000 Ls distance is not a factor. If it's over 300,000 ls I'll scan it if there's good stuff there, or when the rest of the system is nice, and I want to have a full system scan. Over 500,000 Ls I better see some promising Earth likes.
I'd go any distance if something looks good on the system map. If I'm looking for an ammonia world in this area of space by this nebula because it looks stunning, I'll go. If I see an earth like around a brown dwarf 500,000ls away, I go. Just alt-tab for 10 minutes and trawl the forums
Fuel scoop operating temperature
Around 60-65%, allowed to stray towards the 70's, over 70 I'll increase my distance
I have a B-rated power supply so my heat never goes beyond 64%, which is what its at when I reach the max of the scoop. An art mastered long ago in my 100's of scoops
Fuel scoop travel procedure
With a route set: Align the route pointer vertically above me, and fly with the star-on-a-stick beneath me using the stick on the radar to position myself exactly above it. When scooping is done, align with vector, wait for the temps to drop into the 50's and make it so.
Move in for the scoop, while scanning the star, once that is done point to the gradient of the star in the direction I want to go and wait for it to be at about 75% then start slowly moving away and try and time it to be done when I nearly exit the corona. As soon as the fuel scoop disengages, so long as I am moving at full throttle away, I hit the FSD then, as it will never overheat with my power plant.
Cheese!
As I said, I like the look of metally planets. If they have an atmosphere even better. Simple is beautiful. I check em all out, and many end up bmping my Hd. I'm not too big a fan of rings from a distance, but up close these are amazing. Of course every Earthlike and Ammonia world gets a place in the picture book
I always go for things that look unique, interesting and beautiful, as stated above. We think alike!
Stuff I forgot to mention
I chapterized this post, but just to put some order into the chaos that is my thinking, not to set a precedent for the thread. Share any routine however mundane you may think it is.
I'm beginning to make my own take on an exploration guide video (it will be by far the best) and in it I go through my routine. I'll share it here when I'm done.
Looking forward to reading your methodology and how it differs from mine.
