Inspiration is a fickle thing. It can spring from many wonderful sources. It can hit you as you glance out the window or it can strike at three o'clock in the morning when all is silent. Creative entrepreneurs need to source this inspiration on a regular basis to fuel their work and their passions. And quite often this means following a routine.
While creativity and routine seem at odds with each other at first glance, it is a must-have ingredient in the success of a creative entrepreneur. As writer Stephen King said, "Make sure the muse knows where you're going to be every day from 9 to noon or 7 to 3. Sooner or later he'll start showing up, chomping his cigar and making his magic." King is well known for writing 2,000 words every day -- even on his birthday. It is this routine which has led him to be one of the most successful authors the world has ever seen.
Just as creativity requires a routine to blossom, it also needs plenty of rest. You may find that you are more tuned to your talent in the early hours of the morning or even the later hours of the day. If this is the case, then go with the flow. Afternoons can be saved for more mundane responsibilities or even for a scheduled rests. Knowing when you are at your most productive will enable you to make the most of those periods in your day.
Jack London famously said, "You can't wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club." Once you get into the zone, it does not matter whether it is 4 am or 4 pm. Professional creatives may believe in inspiration, but they don't sit around waiting for it to happen. They understand the need to generate the conditions for it to show on a regular basis. It is the steadfast routine which allows this to happen.
Early morning exercise routines seem to be a common thread between modern creatives. Many CEOs such as Taryn Williams of Wink Models and Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin of BlueChilli understand the importance of such fitness regimes. If the body is fit, then the mind can follow. But then there are others who need to tap into the early morning imaginativeness patterns and save the exercise for later in the day. Writer Edna O'Brien felt that the period between sleep and complete wakefulness was the "source of inspiration" for her best work.
While there is the need for routine, it must be your routine; created with your unique set of circumstances in mind. And it needs to be defined. You must be working, or you must be resting. Don't waste a whole day with the good intentions of work and get nothing accomplished.
By arranging your day around your early morning starts, late night bursts or your most inspired periods, you will find your creativity will flow. Inspiration will seek you out and over time, be right there when you need it.