Daily Routines of Giants

I have always been fascinated by other peoples daily routines. What makes them tick?

For the most successful people I know, a routine is more than a luxury — it is essential to their work. As Currey puts it in the book Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, “A solid routine fosters a well-worn groove for one’s mental energies and helps stave off the tyranny of moods.”

While the book is great, I found it a bit all over the place and not the how-to manual I was looking for.

I did however began to notice several common elements in the lives of the healthier geniuses (the ones who relied more on discipline than on, say, booze and smokes) that allowed them to pursue the luxury of a productivity-enhancing routine. Some common elements included:

• A workspace with minimal distractions
• A daily walk
• Accountability metrics
• A clear dividing line between important work and busywork
• A supportive partner

If you are interested in exploring more of what I learnt, read here.

Below I have compiled a list of some of the most important people throughout history and their routines, I’ve found it makes for truly fascinating reading. I hope you enjoy.

Statesmen

Scientists

Writers

Philosophers