Finding Your Sweet Spot: Routine, Creativity, and Chasing Those 10x Moments
"Behind the Curtain" at Storm King
Courtesy Andrew Huberman
Today, we're diving into a hot topic among the Storm King team. We’re always looking to improve our efficiency and have been thinking a lot about daily routines and habits, especially morning routines, ala Andrew Huberman, a Storm King fave.
On one side, Gustave Flaubert's timeless wisdom tells us to "Be regular and orderly in your life, that you may be violent and original in your work." And in the other corner, we've got this fresh perspective from Andrew Chen, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, railing against routines and championing serendipity in the pursuit of what they call "10x work."
So, what's the deal? Should we be scheduling our days down to the minute, or throwing caution to the wind and embracing chaos?
The Case for Keeping It Routine
Now, Flaubert wasn't just blowing smoke. There's something to be said for having your life in order. Think about it - when you're not constantly scrambling to figure out what to do next or where you left your keys, your mind is free to wander into more creative territory. It's like giving your brain permission to play while your body goes through the motions.
Look at some of the heavy hitters throughout history. Benjamin Franklin had his day mapped out like a boss, and Maya Angelou had this whole hotel room writing ritual. These routines didn't box them in - they gave them a launchpad for their genius.
Shaking Things Up: The Power of Serendipity
But hold on a second, because the other side has a point too. This essay we're looking at makes a pretty compelling case for breaking free from the grind. It's all about those "10x moments" - you know, the breakthroughs that can't be penciled into your planner.
The idea here is that the really good stuff often happens when you least expect it. It's about staying open to possibilities, taking risks, and not getting so caught up in your to-do list that you miss the forest for the trees.
Dan Evans’ advisor at New York University, Dr. Christian Busch, has literally written “the book” on this. A key point in his book is that there are ways to increase the chances of serendipity by planting what he calls “seeds” and that being attuned and alert to serendipity means letting go of ingrained biases. So maybe there is a middle ground or sweet spot.
Finding Your Groove: The Best of Both Worlds
So, what are we to do? Well, here's the thing - we don’t think it has to be an either/or situation. In fact, the sweet spot is probably somewhere in the middle. Let's talk about a few SKA approaches to try to strike that balance:
Build a Flex-Friendly Framework: Create a routine that gives you structure but isn't so rigid that you can't roll with the punches.
Get Your Creativity Ritual “On”: Find your own "hotel room" - a signal to your brain that it's time to get those creative juices flowing.
Schedule Some Spontaneity: We know it sounds weird, but make some space for random exploration or networking in your calendar.
Mindful Monotasking: When you're doing the routine stuff, really be there. You never know when inspiration might strike.
Embrace Productive Procrastination: Sometimes, stepping away and doing something mundane is exactly what your brain needs to crack a tough problem.
Stay Curious: Make it a habit to keep learning and exploring, even within your routines. It keeps your mind nimble and ready for those 10x opportunities.
The End Game: Doing Work That Matters
At the end of the day, whether you're all about that routine life or you're riding the serendipity wave, what really matters is that you're producing work that means something.
So, here's our challenge to you: Don't be afraid to set up some routines that support your goals. But within those routines, leave some wiggle room for the unexpected. Be disciplined in your habits but flexible in your thinking.
Remember, the real MVPs aren't the ones who stubbornly stick to one way of doing things. They're the ones who learn to dance between structure and spontaneity, using both to fuel their journey toward greatness.
So, what do you think? How do you balance routine and spontaneity in your life and work? Drop a comment below—we'd love to hear your thoughts!