The Routine of Genius

“Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.”

W.H. Auden

This morning, I entered my sanctuary and lit three votive candles.

I turned on the space heater and had a seat at my altar.

There, I sat for a few minutes in silence.

My time of contemplative prayer.

Then, I opened my journal, wrote the date, a few daily affirmations, and my gratitude.

My reading time began as it always does, with time in the Word.

Followed by a daily devotional and a few minutes in my current book.

I write some notes and highlights in my journal.

This routine leads me to my primary morning habit.

Writing.

I fill my day with little routines and systems, but I am most disciplined and faithful to them in the morning.

I’ve found that this practice provides structure and simplicity.

It sets me up for a successful day of attention and intention.

Writing is a practice that allows me to wrestle with ideas and track my progress.

I share my ideas in blogs and in books, but these words are for me.

Helping me make sense of this world where I live.

In this adventure of daily life.

My routine continues.

After hand-writing a page, I begin a daily digital journal.

I open a new Google doc and write a page.

Then date it, title it, and file it.

At this point, I’m “finished.”

Meaning, I give myself permission to step away from the desk if I so choose or if I have limited time.

My job of writing for the day is “complete.”

I usually don’t.

Most days, I move right into my current book project.

There, I read, reread, write, and rewrite.

I don’t worry about when I will finish this project.

I think about it and plan for it, but I don’t worry.

This is my fourth book, so I know my patterns.

I know my routines will sustain me as I make progress every day.

I’m reading Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.

I’ve reached chapter 18, Flow - the Genius of Routine.

This morning, I read that title and the quote mentioned above.

Clearly, I am no genius, but I can attest to the freedom and progress possible by a good morning routine.

And I’m a believer in The Mundanity of Excellence.

So, this chapter on Flow resonated with me.

About five years ago, I looked down this stretch of highway.

This road of daily writing.

I hoped to one day write a book.

The best way to start was to just start.

Expertise and mastery in a field take years, even decades.

So, I began, and I’ve learned a lot in these past five years.

For one, I know that mastery is a guiding star.

It’s not a destination, but a trajectory.

And a disciplined routine provides the momentum to keep moving.

Day after day, finding the energy and enthusiasm to keep showing up.

I’ve found that it is and it does.

I agree with W.H.

“Routine…is a sign of ambition.”

But to me, the joy is in the doing and being.

Doing the work of a writer.

Being a practicing, albeit novice, writer.

That is my ambition.

Routine is the path.

I’m no genius, but this process is.

Photo by Jan Kahánek on Unsplash