A question rolls in from a reader:

What’s your writing routine like? I can’t believe how you write so many emails!

My answer?

I write wherever I can, whenever I can.

There are days where I set my alarm for 5am, scurry up to my office in Fort Grundy’s corner turret, flip open my laptop and knuckle down for an hour or two. But there are other days when Baby Grundy’s angelic cry stirs me from my slumbers and I scoop her up, head downstairs, whip up a five egg omelette and we’ll share some brekkie together. Then there are days where the shit has hit the proverbial fan at work and I’m straight into the office and down to business.

Take today. 

I started this email on the weekend, then topped and tailed it first thing this morning.

But that’s not baked into any routine.

There’s just taking each day as it comes, writing more than I need when I have the time, trying not to get in a tizz when I don’t have the time and being okay with the fact that even the best laid writing plans can go sideways.

In fact, that last bit has been key.

When I need to skip planned writing time to stay late in the office or deal with an explosive poonami, it would be easy to curse the Daily Email Gods. But if I can shrug this off, I find I get MORE writing done, not less.

That might sound counterintuitive.

But it means when I can write, I’m calm and not all worked up. So the writing comes way smoother.

Interestingly, my reading routine has some parallels with my writing.

The days of indulging in a good spy thriller or the latest personal development smash hit are over. And even if I do find myself with a few hours spare (very rare), I’ll spend it writing, not reading.

I guess the only exception is where I know I can read something quickly.

Newsletters are a great example. I’m an enthusiastic, fully signed up reader to a host of other newsletters and I enjoy spending a few minutes chomping these down when I’m waiting for the kettle to boil, standing on the bus or even sitting on the bog.

This is why the chapters of my soon-to-be-published book Don’t Quit Your Job are teeny-tiny too. It’s wisdom without the waffle and writing the same way I read.

So there you have it.

My routine-less writing routine and my hit & miss reading routine. Basically, all the messy bits the best-selling time-management systems conveniently forget.

Anyway, now I’ve laid my books on the table, it’s your turn.

I’m curious what YOUR reading routine is. Especially when it comes to this newsletter.

In particular:

What are you up to right now, as you read this email?

Are you lying in bed? Are you standing in line at Starbucks? Are you in a meeting at work and pretending to pay attention?

If you like, hit reply and let me know. I’m really curious!

To fulfilment,

Tom