The following chart popped up on my Facebook page this week. It’s probably circulated through the web by now, but I thought I’d share anyway. The timeliness is a little freaky, as I just committed to turning my daily routine on its head. Again.
For years I’ve been trying to force myself to stay up later. You know, like a “normal” person. And I have this image of famous artists staying up all night in a state of frantic drug and alcohol-induced euphoria. Maybe that’s why I’m not a good painter, I thought. I drink tea and fall asleep by 8pm. I clearly need more debauchery in my life.
So check out this chart. Notice a pattern? The majority on this list of successful, creative people are not night owls who stay up all night drinking and cavorting. They go to bed at a reasonable time, start to work early, and seem to live relatively well-balanced, routine lives. They work when their bodies say work, and sleep when their bodies say sleep. Of course, without a day job dictating your schedule, it is easier to live by your own terms. Still, it’s food for thought.
Conclusion: No more trying to shove this square peg in a round hole. I am back to going to bed early and waking in the pre-dawn hours. Gym in the evening and no evening phone calls. I have say – I’ve made more progress on my current painting during the last 48 hours than I have in the last two weeks. I’m definitely on to something.
“Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.” THOMAS MANN
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” PABLO PICASSO
Thanks for sharing….pretty cool.