My notes on my phone or in my notebook are like a blue print to a foreman. I would be brain dead without my notes.
I do enjoy how you call out procrastination in your posts. Mostly because I have been procrastinating the last 20 years of my 28 years of life. It is thought provoking to read the many different rhythms and reasons why it is such a bad habit.
OK, one more comment....Barbara Cartland was an extraordinarily prolific author. She wrote 723 published novels, mostly romances, during her lifetime. And another approx 40 published posthumously. I read about her "somewhere" that she traveled around the U.S. with her husband in an RV. Every state. She wrote each morning for a certain number of hours, and when the time was up, she just stopped. Even if she was in the middle of a sentence. Hmmpf. I find that dedication entirely inspiring, eh?
I LOL when I read" Your first draft doesn't need to be your final draft. But it needs to exist before you can improve it." Oh, yeah, and isn't "perfect" the enemy of the DONE?!! Thanks for these 5 Simple Rules...
And my favorite cell phone tools? My Timer. I use it to 'write within'. I set it for 15 minutes, and by then, I'm usually deep in it, so I click on repeat. The other one is Keep, where I record with the mic and then move over to google docs to edit.
I think the endless consumption, even by creators, is just a form of procrastination. They treat it as 'research' as to what works, or doesn't work.
Eventually one just needs a framework and core theme, and just to relentlessly hit publish.
One tip I use is using daily app time limits for my phone. The tough part is then not hitting "Ignore for today," but it could be a stopgap / in-between solution to 'no apps on the phone' approach for some.
Matt, this is one of the most practical write-ups I've seen on daily publishing. The "consume after you create" rule especially hit home. I've seen the same thing with founders I advise: the ones who protect their mornings for output always outpace those who start in consumption mode.
Also love how you framed templates as a way to remove friction rather than replace the creator. That's exactly how I approach financial strategy frameworks with small business owners. Structure gives speed, but the human voice is what makes it land.
This post is a solid reminder that discipline is overrated when you have the right systems in place.
Consume after you've produced and done your bit for the day. Otherwise, all I can think about is the contradicting information I've read, which kills my creativity.
Is there anything else you do to minimise offsetting your creativity?
I totally relate to what you're saying, Matt. Consumption kills creativity. I try to write first and then scroll through SM if I have time. Checking email and the activity bell on Substack does not write a post. Writing a post writes a post.
And how many times have I feel asleep thinking I will remeber an idea the next day!?
I write down my ideas on paper. It might not be an efficient method, but it kinda works for me. LOL. 😆
A little side note: "but I’ll bet my right kidney that if you follow these 5 rules like an autist", these is one off the reasons why I follow you, I like the straight forward approach you have and the fact you re unafraid of speaking like a human being. You avoid the fluffy pretty boring writig that 95% off people use here. Its soft and boring for the most cases, but seeing your direct and honest approach is a like fresh breeze on the midst of a bunch of bullshit
Can really resonate: overconsumption feels awful.
true
Self discipline is so important in this process. I love these rules. Gonna try them out today…
My notes on my phone or in my notebook are like a blue print to a foreman. I would be brain dead without my notes.
I do enjoy how you call out procrastination in your posts. Mostly because I have been procrastinating the last 20 years of my 28 years of life. It is thought provoking to read the many different rhythms and reasons why it is such a bad habit.
Love this post! You have so many great points here. I’m going to do them all 🙌
OK, one more comment....Barbara Cartland was an extraordinarily prolific author. She wrote 723 published novels, mostly romances, during her lifetime. And another approx 40 published posthumously. I read about her "somewhere" that she traveled around the U.S. with her husband in an RV. Every state. She wrote each morning for a certain number of hours, and when the time was up, she just stopped. Even if she was in the middle of a sentence. Hmmpf. I find that dedication entirely inspiring, eh?
I LOL when I read" Your first draft doesn't need to be your final draft. But it needs to exist before you can improve it." Oh, yeah, and isn't "perfect" the enemy of the DONE?!! Thanks for these 5 Simple Rules...
And my favorite cell phone tools? My Timer. I use it to 'write within'. I set it for 15 minutes, and by then, I'm usually deep in it, so I click on repeat. The other one is Keep, where I record with the mic and then move over to google docs to edit.
Love these. Thanks so much for sharing!
most welcome
I think the endless consumption, even by creators, is just a form of procrastination. They treat it as 'research' as to what works, or doesn't work.
Eventually one just needs a framework and core theme, and just to relentlessly hit publish.
One tip I use is using daily app time limits for my phone. The tough part is then not hitting "Ignore for today," but it could be a stopgap / in-between solution to 'no apps on the phone' approach for some.
spot on
Great, practical, usable advice!
Glad it was helpful, Bob.
Matt, this is one of the most practical write-ups I've seen on daily publishing. The "consume after you create" rule especially hit home. I've seen the same thing with founders I advise: the ones who protect their mornings for output always outpace those who start in consumption mode.
Also love how you framed templates as a way to remove friction rather than replace the creator. That's exactly how I approach financial strategy frameworks with small business owners. Structure gives speed, but the human voice is what makes it land.
This post is a solid reminder that discipline is overrated when you have the right systems in place.
Syed, glad it resonated.
Consuming content somehow atrophies creativity.
I consume content after I've done with my deep work session.
I live by this!
Consume after you've produced and done your bit for the day. Otherwise, all I can think about is the contradicting information I've read, which kills my creativity.
Is there anything else you do to minimise offsetting your creativity?
I totally relate to what you're saying, Matt. Consumption kills creativity. I try to write first and then scroll through SM if I have time. Checking email and the activity bell on Substack does not write a post. Writing a post writes a post.
And how many times have I feel asleep thinking I will remeber an idea the next day!?
I write down my ideas on paper. It might not be an efficient method, but it kinda works for me. LOL. 😆
Paper works!
A little side note: "but I’ll bet my right kidney that if you follow these 5 rules like an autist", these is one off the reasons why I follow you, I like the straight forward approach you have and the fact you re unafraid of speaking like a human being. You avoid the fluffy pretty boring writig that 95% off people use here. Its soft and boring for the most cases, but seeing your direct and honest approach is a like fresh breeze on the midst of a bunch of bullshit
Thank you Sir!
I agree. Matt's way of wording things is down to Earth, witty, and cuts to the chase.
Thank you!
The day I’m creating I can’t really find the time for social media. So at least I got down easily 😅
haha