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I was fascinated by the recent book, Daily Rituals: How Artists Work. Author Mason Curry examines the schedules of 161 painters, writers, and composers, as well as philosophers, scientists, and other exceptional thinkers.

As I read, I became convinced that for these geniuses, a routine was more than a luxury — it was essential to their work. As Currey puts it, “A solid routine fosters a well-worn groove for one’s mental energies and helps stave off the tyranny of moods.”  I began to notice several common elements in the lives of the healthier geniuses that allowed them to pursue the luxury of a productivity-enhancing routine:

A workspace with minimal distractions. 

A daily walk.

Accountability metrics.

A clear dividing line between important work and busywork.

A habit of stopping when they’re on a roll, not when they’re stuck.

A supportive partner. 

Limited social lives

And that of course is what a routine really is — the path we take through our day. Whatever we break that trail ourselves or follow the path blazed by our constraints, perhaps what’s most important is that we keep walking.