Coffeewriting and the Magic of Routine

Here is what my morning looks like:

I wake up between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m., get dressed, go downstairs and make coffee.

Except for Wednesdays, of course. If it’s a Wednesday, I’m on the road by 5:45 a.m., headed to Panera Bread where I’ll buy coffee instead of make it.

Coffee is one of those great rituals (addictions?) that makes the writing life just a little more enjoyable. And although I’ve tried on more than one occasion to curb my coffee intake, I’ve finally reconciled with myself that between two or three cups of coffee a day is okay.

Confession: I’m kind of picky about my coffee. Too weak is terrible; too strong is okay. Not a fan of Folgers et al., but I love Starbucks’ Kenya, Rwanda, Cafe Estima, and Ethiopia Sidamo blends.

Every once in a while I try a different coffee and really enjoy it. For instance, my friend John Thomas from Georgia once sent me a bag of Indian Monsooned coffee beans, which is very distinct. I now associate it with Watchmen, because I was reading that book at the time.

But this post is not all about coffee and copywriting (a.k.a. “coffeewriting”)… it’s about the magic of routine.

Coffee and writing are part of my routine. I expect it every day. And that expectation helps me stay disciplined and productive day after day after day.

Dan Kennedy has publicly said that he spends the first part of every day writing. Uninterrupted. On page 64 of No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs, he writes:

First, I write for at least one hour every morning, virtually no matter what. The first hour of my morning, sometimes 5:00 to 6:00, often 6:00 to 7:00, occasionally 7:00 to 8:00, I write. At home, on the road, doesn’t matter. Weekdays or weekends, doesn’t matter. If I am under a tough copywriting deadline for a client, I’ll give the hour to that task. Most days, that first hour goes to my own books, tapes, and newsletters.

I believe this is one reason Dan Kennedy has had so much staying power: his daily routine.

What do you do every day that helps you succeed? What healthy routines do you have that boost your productivity? Identify them… and celebrate them.

-Ryan M. Healy