Routine power

This week I'm seeing firsthand the power of routines in my writing. I have been sick the last few days and I'm just getting back to my daily writing routine, but it is still off and things feel much harder than usual. Before, I would do my daily workout while listening to some podcasts that got me thinking about different things. Then after my workout and a quick shower, I would go straight to my daily writing as a way to expand on my ideas and try to crystallize them on paper.

I haven't started working out again yet, so I'm now basically starting my day directly with my writing. Not only do I miss having some of the ideas from the podcasts already swirling around in my head, but I think the bigger factor is having a disruption in my routine. Cal Newport talks about this a lot as having a ritual to get into a deep work mindset - by doing the same things every time that you are about to start challenging work, you are able to focus your mind quicker and more effectively.

I'm definitely understanding now that I've created some sort of a deep work ritual for my writing. And it's only after I've disrupted the routine that I've built over the past months that I realize how powerful it really is.