Habits + Routines + Schedules = Oh My!
Time For My Annual Creativity Check-Up + Productivity Tune-Up
As much as I love breaking the rules and coloring outside the lines, I’m also a big fan of habits, routines, and schedules.
But being a fan doesn’t mean I’m great at sticking to them.
My creativity thrives on freedom, but without some structure on which to build its foundation, my creative spark can quickly turn into a clusterfuck of chaotic efforts, images, and/or words. Or worse…a whole bunch of procrastination and stagnation.
Since “turning my light back on” almost two months ago, I have been so focused on getting my personal life back on track that my professional life has taken a noticeable backseat. And that’s not exactly sustainable—so it is time to shift gears and get back to doing more of what I love: creating and curating.
Over the years, I’ve tested—and retested—different ways to balance discipline and flexibility. I have found a few “tricks” along the way that help my creativity thrive, allowing me to stay productive while giving me the freedom to create in new and/or novel ways too.
These are some things that have worked for me in the past.
And are returning to my daily mix…starting today:
Start With A Plan—But Keep It Loose
When I’m happiest and most productive, I tend to map out and plan my week ahead of time, with a mix of must-dos and want-to-dos. If I schedule everything too rigidly, I rebel against it. Instead, I do my best to build in wiggle room, so I can follow inspiration when it strikes without derailing important tasks.
Time Blocks Keep Me Focused
I work best in focused bursts. Whether it’s deep-diving into a project or handling admin tasks, setting a time block (usually 15-60 minutes) helps me stay on track. Knowing there’s a “quitting time” makes even the most tedious tasks manageable.
Rituals Signal My Brain It’s “Go Time”
Certain cues help shift me into work mode: Lighting a candle, listening to music, making a fresh cup of tea, and tidying up my desk are just the nudges I need to get started. When motivation is low, small rituals make a big difference.
Breaks Are Non-Negotiable
If I don’t take breaks, I crash. Full stop. So I try to schedule in regular pauses. A quick walk, running an errand, or even switching to a completely different task helps me reset. As much as I would love to sometimes be productive 24/7, the reality is I’m a man, not a machine.
Flexibility Keeps It Sustainable
Some days, things don’t go as planned. Instead of seeing that as failure, I try to adapt. Shuffling tasks, taking a break, or even calling it a day early is sometimes the best move for my long-term creativity and productivity.
For me, routines aren’t about perfection—they’re about support. When they’re working, they make everything easier. And when they’re not? It’s time for a tune-up.
What productivity tricks help keep YOU going?
Clint 🌈✌️
ON THIS DAY = MARCH 28
BIRTHDAYS
1836 = Frederick Pabst = German-American Pabst Brewing Company founder
1893 = Spyros Skouras = Greek-American businessman
1907 = Irving Paul Lazar = American lawyer and talent agent
1910 = Jimmie Dodd = American actor and singer-songwriter
1914 = Edward Anhalt = American screenwriter and producer
1921 = Dirk Bogarde = English actor and author
1933 = James Bidgood = American filmmaker and photographer 🌈
1942 = Mike Newell = English director and producer
1942 = Samuel Ramey = American opera singer
1944 = Ken Howard = American actor
1948 = Dianne Wiest = American actor
1955 = Reba McEntire = American singer-songwriter and actor
1962 = Alexandra Billings = American actor and activist 🌈
1970 = Vince Vaughn = American actor
1972 = Nick Frost = English actor, comedian, and screenwriter
1981 = Julia Stiles = American actor
1986 = Lady Gaga = American singer-songwriter and actor 🌈
1987 = Jonathan Van Ness = American hairdresser and tv personality 🌈
EVENTS
1842 = The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Otto Nicolai, performs its first concert.
1963 = The Birds is released in theaters.
1986 = Lucas is released in theaters.
1990 = With the opening of the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit less than two weeks away, law enforcement officials, warn the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati to cancel the exhibit or risk prosecution under the city’s stringent anti-obscenity laws. “These photographs are just not welcome in this community,” says the local chief of police. After the exhibit finally opens, a Cincinnati grand jury indicts the center’s director, Dennis Barrie, on charges of obscenity and pandering.
1999 = Futurama premieres on Fox.
PORTRAITS + QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I'm grateful for the attention I'm getting.
It would have been better 40 years ago."
James Bidgood
RECOMMENDED READING
The Father of the Pulp and Glamour Aesthetic
(Karin Wolf + Goldie Bennett)
Creativity overflowing. Thanks again Clint.