Inspiration and routine

Though I can’t recall the words verbatim from the walls of a gym I once attended, nonetheless, the gist of it still comes across loud and clear.

It goes something like: “Inspiration pushes you, routine sustains you”.

Yes, I know how it’s like on many days when the old body engine just refuses to start with the morning chill and motivation is at an all time low, drained from yesterday’s workload.

When that happens, a good method to use to kick-start yourself is to go on an auto-mode. That is, screw inspiration and shift into the routine gear. I know this sounds a little humdrum, but in all honesty, on days like this, it helps to sink into the routine and just do the work even if it’s uninspiring… just to get through the hours.

Because while inspiration may be a great high, our bodies and minds are not engineered to sustain at that level for long. There will be times when we need a break from creativity too. This I know for a fact happens especially for writers.

There will be numerous days and occasions when your brain needs a rest. That’s when I would go into a mode of doing chores or work that doesn’t aren’t a mental drain. “Mechanical” things and oh well, just something real easy.

But before you go on how “unproductive” this is, bear in mind that if you tax your mental capabilities beyond its limits, you do nothing more than exert damage. That’s why when creative studio people reach a certain hour, their creativity shuts down. At that point, it’s time to retire for the day because you’ll only be churning out rubbish after that.

So, if the inspiration’s getting a little cold, chill out and switch on the routine carburetor.