I work my way up to working sets in a way very similar to Mark Rippetoe's "Starting Strength" In general, I do two sets of 5 reps with an empty bar or very light weight (e.g. 135 lb deadlift or 15 lb DB Mil Press), then a set of 5 at slightly more weight, then a set of 3, then a set of 2, then working sets. Most days I do everything in a giant quad set, moving from one exercise to the next in circuit. If I know the main lift will be a struggle, I do that by itself before doing the remaining lifts in a circuit, or sometimes I superset the first two lifts & the last two. It depends.

Monday
Deadlift: 3 sets of 5
Barbell Bench Press: 3 sets of 5 (occasionally do sets of 8 or 10)
Chin-Ups or Pull-ups (alternate between the two each workout): 3 sets as many reps until form deteriorates
Calf Raises

Wednesday
Squats: 3 sets of 5
DB Military Press: 3 sets of 5/6/8/10 reps
Chin-ups or pull-ups with a 45 lb plate: 3 sets
Romanian Deadlift: 2 or 3 sets of 10 reps

Friday
Front Squats: 3 sets of 10
Barbell Incline Press: 3 sets of 5/6/8/10
Chin-Ups or Pull-Ups w/45 lb plate: 3 sets
DB Lunge Walk: 3 sets of 10 steps

I usually intend to do abs/core exercises and stretches before my workout as my preworkout kicks in, but if I work before working out I almost always skip that. I'm really bad about doing cardio and/or P90X X-Stretch on my non-lifting days, but that's something I want to incorporate with consistency.