Ann Handleys Productivity Habits for Creative Writers
Periodic Table of Habits
Filters & Legend
Impact:
Effort:
Category:
Impact
High
Medium
Low
Effort
High
Medium
Low
Categories
Low Effort
Medium Effort
High Effort
High Impact
18
PC
Pre-Brewed Coffee Setup
1
ME
Morning Email Processing
3
DW
Daily Writing Ritual
6
SJ
Structured Journaling Framework
14
ET
Email Triage System
2
DW
Dedicated Writing Space
10
RF
Routine Flexibility
15
TS
Travel Schedule Optimization
Medium Impact
4
ND
Non-Judgmental Doodling
5
CI
Creative Idea List
16
HE
Hydration Emphasis
7
AM
Afternoon Mindful Walks
8
TS
Travel Snack Preparation
12
PN
Phone Notification Delay
13
AW
Afternoon Workout Commitment
20
GR
Gratitude Reflection
No high effort habits
Low Impact
9
SQ
Sleep Quality Tracking
11
DB
Delayed Breakfast Routine
17
BR
Bedtime Reading Ritual
19
SB
Snooze Button Acceptance
No medium effort habits
No high effort habits
Morning Email Processing
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Check and process emails immediately upon waking to clear mental clutter. Messages are either deleted or flagged for later response, reducing inbox anxiety.
Dedicated Writing Space
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Use a separate physical workspace (like a backyard Tiny House) to minimize distractions and enhance focus during writing sessions.
Daily Writing Ritual
Impact:
Effort:
#Growth
Write for 15 minutes every morning to document observations, ideas, and inspirations from the previous day. This builds consistency and creativity.
Non-Judgmental Doodling
Impact:
Effort:
#Growth
Include simple sketches in daily journals without evaluating artistic quality to stimulate creativity and reduce self-criticism.
Creative Idea List
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Maintain a running list of half-formed ideas (blog topics, speech fragments) in the back of a notebook for future exploration.
Structured Journaling Framework
Impact:
Effort:
#Growth
Divide journal entries into four sections: Did, Saw, Heard, Draw. Use bullet points for brevity and focus.
Afternoon Mindful Walks
Impact:
Effort:
#Health
Take daily walks with a dog in natural settings to create a 'pocket of quiet' for mental reset and reflection.
Travel Snack Preparation
Impact:
Effort:
#Health
Pack healthy snacks like nuts and granola bars when traveling to avoid reliance on subpar airport food.
Sleep Quality Tracking
Impact:
Effort:
#Health
Use apps like Sleep Cycle to analyze sleep patterns and identify opportunities for improvement.
Routine Flexibility
Impact:
Effort:
#Growth
Adapt habits to circumstances (e.g., injury or travel) without self-judgment, focusing on progress over perfection.
Delayed Breakfast Routine
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Eat breakfast foods at lunchtime to simplify mornings and prioritize workflow during peak productivity hours.
Phone Notification Delay
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Avoid checking phones until fully awake and upright to prevent morning procrastination.
Afternoon Workout Commitment
Impact:
Effort:
#Health
Schedule exercise later in the day when energy levels are higher and focus is less critical.
Email Triage System
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Immediately delete or defer emails during initial processing to maintain inbox zero principles.
Travel Schedule Optimization
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Book flights to align with existing morning routines, minimizing disruption to productivity.
Hydration Emphasis
Impact:
Effort:
#Health
Drink ample water daily, especially during travel, to maintain physical and mental performance.
Bedtime Reading Ritual
Impact:
Effort:
#Health
Read fiction or nonfiction before sleep to unwind, often bargaining for 'one more chapter.'
Pre-Brewed Coffee Setup
Impact:
Effort:
#Productivity
Prepare coffee makers the night before to automate morning caffeine access.
Snooze Button Acceptance
Impact:
Effort:
#Health
Embrace snooze alarms without guilt to ease into wakefulness gradually.
Gratitude Reflection
Impact:
Effort:
#Growth
Consciously acknowledge others' goodness during mornings to counterbalance initial crankiness.
