I've always been fascinated by the daily routines of famous people. When it comes to exciting things, learning about someone’s daily habits ranks somewhere closer to seeing my favorite band live than sitting through a timeshare presentation.
A glimpse into someone’s routine offers a sense of what sets them apart from the rest of us, and I always walk away with at least a nugget or two of inspiration.
So, here are some of my favorite takeaways from the daily routines of people who’ve made a mark in the world that I think are worth adapting to our own lives.
Sometimes, you have to be a party-pooper
This might ruffle the feathers of all the YOLO enthusiasts, but making progress in any area of your life requires sacrificing some fun along the way. And being able to do that without FOMO? That’s the mark of a pro.
Here’s what Dickens had to say about the need to commit to a routine, even when fun things are calling out to you:
‘It is only half an hour’—'It is only an afternoon’—'It is only an evening,’ people say to me over and over again, but they don’t know that it is impossible to command one’s self sometimes to any stipulated and set disposal of five minutes—or that the mere consciousness of an engagement will sometime worry a whole day… Whoever is devoted to an art must be content to deliver himself wholly up to it and to find his recompense in it. I am grieved if you suspect me of not wanting to see you, but I can’t help it; I must go in my way whether or not.
Creativity thrives on consistency
Almost anyone who has accomplished something worthwhile has done so through diligence and commitment. Don’t get me wrong—passion and inspiration play a part, but I’m willing to bet they weren’t the driving forces behind the high achievers. After all, as Somerset Maugham said,
I do write when inspiration strikes me; thankfully, it strikes me at 9 a.m. every day.
Haruki Murakami, one of the most celebrated contemporary writers, is known for his surreal, dreamlike novels like Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, and 1Q84. Murakami values consistency over inspiration—writing every day, no matter what. He sticks to this routine for months, explaining:
I keep to this routine every day without variation. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism. I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind.
The only guaranteed way to see progress in whatever you do—writing, coding, painting, or running a business—is to set aside a fixed time in your daily routines for deep, focused work.
Don’t Underestimate Physical Activity
Never sit still for too long. Move, stretch, walk. Your brain thrives on motion. Leonardo da Vinci
I know this from personal experience, and I’m glad to be in such esteemed company.
Murakami believes that physical endurance fuels mental endurance. After writing, he supposedly engages in intense physical exercise—either running 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) or swimming 1,500 meters.
Writing a long novel is like survival training. Physical strength is as necessary as artistic sensitivity.
Regular exercise isn’t just for health—it boosts creativity, mental clarity, and discipline.
Nature Inspires Creativity
Tied to the point above, being out in nature and letting your mind wander is one of the best ways to get the creative juices flowing.
Beethoven took long daily walks, often in the countryside, to clear his mind and develop musical ideas. Many of his symphonies, including the Pastoral Symphony, were inspired by nature.
Henry David Thoreau went to Walden Pond in 1845 as part of an experiment in simple living. His goal was to strip life down to its essentials and see what was truly necessary for a meaningful existence. He stayed there for two years, two months, and two days, later writing about his experience in Walden; or, Life in the Woods (1854), one of the most influential works in American literature.
He built his own cabin, grew his own food, and took long walks in nature daily, observing and writing. He saw nature as a source of wisdom and spiritual renewal.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach.
The Power of Mornings – Brahmamuhurat
If you win the morning, you win the day. Tim Ferriss
It’s no secret that many creative minds are early risers. Beethoven woke at dawn (around 6 a.m.) and immediately got to work on his music, believing mornings were the most productive time for composing.
Haruki Murakami wakes up at 4 a.m. to start writing.
Sylvia Plath was also a dedicated early riser, often waking around 4:00 a.m. to write before the world stirred. She once said:
I like to write in the morning. I am at my desk at 4:00 a.m. That way, my mind is still soft and sleepy, and I can slip into the unconscious.
The Hindu scriptures talk about Brahma Muhurat, also known as the time of totality, the period of the day ending approximately 48 minutes before sunrise when creative intelligence is supposedly at its peak. It is considered prime time for inward reflection and meditation because, at that time, our minds are in tune with the subtle energies of nature.
Work in Sprints
Our brains can only focus on a task briefly before getting tired, bored, or distracted. Sprints allow us to stay well within the horizon of effective focus.
Charles Darwin worked in two or three intense 90-minute bursts each day, spending the rest of his time walking, napping, or relaxing. This approach helped him process ideas and stay fresh.
Maya Angelou wrote in focused, short bursts (about 4-5 hours a day), believing that too much time spent writing in one stretch led to diminishing returns. She once said:
I work in bursts. I leave something unfinished and let my subconscious do the rest.
Thomas Edison’s belief in working in short, intense bursts, with breaks in between to keep ideas fresh.
Embrace Your Eccentricities
Let’s face it—many creative geniuses are quirky.
Beethoven was incredibly particular about his coffee, insisting that each cup be made with exactly 60 coffee beans—no more, no less. He'd count his beans every morning as part of his daily ritual. He was also a compulsive bather, often pouring buckets of water over himself while humming melodies, which frequently caused neighbors to complain about flooding in his apartment.
Also, Beethoven’s love for wine is legendary. His reported last words were, “Pity, pity—too late!” after being told a shipment of wine had arrived for him.
Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables by having his servant hide his clothes, forcing him to stay home until he finished writing.
So, it’s totally fine if you talk to yourself out loud all the time or unreasonably mad when someone messes up your perfectly lined-up pencils.
Finally
In the end, daily routines and rituals are deeply personal. What works for one person might not work for another. However, the common thread among these creative giants is their commitment to discipline, consistency, and time in nature. So, find what works for you, embrace your quirks, and remember: progress is born from showing up, day after day.