Daily writing
Write something every day, published or not
A newsletter, a book manuscript, notes, a blog: a daily session treated as non-negotiable regardless of how it goes. The consistent claim is that writing is how you find out whether you actually understand something. Several people in this directory built entire careers out of this one habit.
Who backs it
Sorted by strength of stance
- Ali AbdaalDoes it
Doctor turned YouTuber · author of Feel-Good Productivity
Protects the first four hours of his mornings for writing.
Source: aliabdaal.com: 10 time management tips - Cal NewportDoes it
Computer science professor · author of Deep Work
First thing on arriving at his office he writes; two books came out of the 9 to 10:30am slot.
Source: calnewport.com: my focus-centric work day - Steven BartlettDoes it
Entrepreneur · The Diary of a CEO
Newsletters and books both get written regularly; writing is how he processes what the interviews taught him.
Source: The Diary of a CEO podcast
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under productivity or focus.
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Daily reading
A fixed daily reading block, usually books rather than feeds
Backed by 19 of 44 stacks: 17 do it, 2 recommend it, 0 have discussed it - HabitFREE, no cost
Early rising
A fixed, early wake time, often before anyone else is awake
Backed by 9 of 44 stacks: 8 do it, 0 recommend it, 1 have discussed it - HabitFREE, no cost
Phone-free first hour
No email, news or social media until you have done something of your own
Backed by 4 of 44 stacks: 2 do it, 2 recommend it, 0 have discussed it - HabitFREE, no cost
Thinking retreats
Blocks of time cleared of the schedule to sit with one hard problem
Backed by 2 of 44 stacks: 2 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it - HabitFREE, no cost
Daily design
Writing the day ahead in the past tense, then scoring it out of ten at night
Backed by 1 of 44 stacks: 1 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it - HabitFREE, no cost
Margin notes
Writing in the margins while reading, especially where you disagree with the author
Backed by 1 of 44 stacks: 1 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
Habit entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.