No matter what you do for a living, you’ve likely developed certain rituals that help you focus and do your best work. Some people exercise before starting the workday. Others organize their desk in just the right way. And others take comfort in noise-canceling headphones. No matter how idiosyncratic your rituals are, they can have a major impact on your mindset and productivity.
Rituals help writers get work done, too. Here’s Stephen King on some of his:
"I have a glass of water or a cup of tea. There’s a certain time I sit down, from 8:00 to 8:30, somewhere within that half hour every morning. I have my vitamin pill and my music, sit in the same seat, and the papers are all arranged in the same places. . . . The cumulative purpose of doing these things the same way every day seems to be a way of saying to the mind, you’re going to be dreaming soon."
So will a cup of tea each morning make your writing novel-worthy? Well, no, but discovering conditions that help you write will make you a more productive business writer.
What rituals work for you?
Take a moment to think about the habits and conditions that help you write. If you can't identify any, that’s okay! You might start with these:
- Designate a writing space. Do you like writing inside or outside? In a quiet office or a bustling coffee shop? On a comfy chair or at a standing desk? Find a place and aesthetic that fits your personality and return there when you need to write.
- Designate a writing time. Try writing at different times of the day. You’ll likely discover that you produce your best work within a particular time frame. Once you find a time that works for you, block it off for future writing projects.
- Play some music (without lyrics). Language heard externally interferes with your production of inner speech. Opt for classical, jazz, or your favorite movie score. (Shout out, Hans Zimmer.) If you find music or ambient noise to be bothersome, find a quiet place to work.
- Set a daily writing goal. Try writing for 10–15 minutes uninterrupted every day, even if the writing is not work-related. This ritual builds comfort with the act of writing and helps you develop fluency.
Remember, practices don’t become rituals unless you stick to them. Once you identify habits that support your writing, return to them time and time again—Repetition itself becomes the important thing.
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