Lesson 1: Warming Up Before Diving In

Many of my most productive writing sessions start with an early morning. I brew a pot of coffee, settle at my keyboard, and kick things off with a brief journaling session. Just like any physical activity, warming up is crucial before tackling creative work; it’s unrealistic to expect your best output right from the start.

After journaling, I aim to complete an article—typically between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Sometimes I’ve outlined the topic the night before; other times, I go in without a plan. Regardless, the key takeaway is to finish the article.

However, there’s a catch. My daily routine is never the same. Due to my lifestyle, I can’t stick to a rigid morning schedule. While ADHD provides a refreshing variety that keeps me engaged, it often clashes with conventional productivity advice.

Some mornings, I have early training sessions at 7 a.m., or I need to teach a private lesson by 8 a.m. Occasionally, late nights spent teaching make waking up early less appealing. Therefore, I’ve learned to focus on a micro-routine that fosters effective writing sessions: warming up and finding my flow, which I can do any time of the day.

Whether I’m training in Jiu-Jitsu or writing, the importance of a proper warm-up remains consistent. My best writing doesn’t stem from elaborate morning rituals but from a straightforward warm-up before I start.

Lesson 2: Embracing Solitude

Currently, I live alone, which is a luxury I value. However, I cultivated this productivity routine even while living with family, finding ways to carve out time for solitude. Alone time is a priority for me; it recharges my energy levels and fosters creativity.

Being more introverted, I find that without regular intervals of solitude, I become drained, burnt out, and even physically unwell. This doesn’t mean I dislike people—I enjoy social interactions daily. Still, having a few hours of solitude every few days is vital for my creative and emotional well-being.

After multi-day Jiu-Jitsu competitions, I often feel socially exhausted. The mental and emotional toll of competing and supporting friends can be overwhelming. If I don’t make time to release that accumulated stress, it negatively impacts all areas of my life.

Lesson 3: The Power of Self-Awareness

I often feel like an outsider for embracing a form of productivity that can be described as controlled chaos. My writing sessions sometimes begin at 7 p.m., the only time I have to focus, while other times, I find inspiration in coffee shops during the afternoon. While I prefer starting my day with writing, my lifestyle doesn’t always allow for that.

I’ve experimented with numerous productivity hacks, but what resonates with me differs from the conventional wisdom often propagated online. For instance, I’ve tried cold showers and long-hand journaling, neither of which fit my style. I used to create extensive to-do lists, which ended up as reminders of tasks I struggled to complete in an orderly fashion. I prefer a more fluid approach, bouncing from task to task.

Creative work thrives in flow states, not rigid routines. Long, detailed rituals tend to pull me deeper into my thoughts, which is counterproductive when I’m aiming to write. Thus, it’s crucial to explore and discover what methods work best for you, rather than blindly mimicking others, even if they appear successful.

Closing Thoughts

You don’t need cold showers, intermittent fasting, or a 4 a.m. wake-up call to be productive. What you truly need is discipline, not drastic measures. Extreme behaviors often stem from insecurity and projection.

The best productivity advice is to identify what works for you and cultivate sustainable habits. I’ve maintained my current training and writing routine for over a year, with only minor setbacks. During burnout or injury phases, I’ve learned to ease off rather than push harder.

Sustainable productivity isn’t about intensity or complex routines; it’s about consistent discipline amidst life’s challenges and finding time to process your thoughts. While this advice may sound simplistic, it’s the foundation of my productivity strategy.

The first video, "Exactly How I Write 3,000 Words A Day," provides insights into my writing process, emphasizing the importance of warming up and finding flow states for effective writing.

The second video, "Secrets of SUCCESS from Pro Athletes," shares valuable lessons from successful athletes that can be applied to both writing and training, highlighting the significance of self-awareness and personal strategy.