It seems almost counter-intuitive. Routine is usually associated with boredom. In reality though, an underlay of routine in your day will spark your creativity muscle. Having routines can help offset the anxiety and fear that often accompanies the uncertainty of the creative process. Routines, or ‘rituals’, as Jonathon Fields writes, can serve as “certainty anchors.” Routines provide us with ‘known’ and reliable stakes in the ground as we go through our day facing down the ‘unknown’ of creative challenges.
Routine = Tension Reduction
Without the support of routines, many people default to fear and anxiety in the face of uncertainty. Creating routines around not only your work but your life outside of work allows you to drop “certainty anchors”, things that happen in the same way, things you know will always be there and that create a series of ongoing opportunities to touch stone throughout the day.
These certainty anchors help you soar higher into the creative realm and stay there longer. The longer you’re in the creative ether, the greater the chance of the right stuff bubbling up. Knowing that you’ve got enough stakes firmly planted in the ground in other parts of your life provides you with the security required to engage in the unknown.
Where to Start
Routines can be as simple as making your bed first thing, reading your favorite blogs with your morning cuppa Joe or taking the pooch for a walk. In the context of work, it could be things like reviewing your schedule first thing or taking regular lunch or daily exercise breaks.
The key to setting yourself up for your most creative potential begins first thing. Making a habit of doing certain things, like meditating or yoga right at the start of your day launches you in a positive way that builds a sense of calm, control and optimism that can carry you the entire day.
