One of my key takeaways from last year was that focusing on maximum work output was a fruitless endeavor. Any fool can work until they pass out on their keyboard, but this is a great way of burning out and developing a resentment for your responsibilities.

Far better is it to build a sustainable pattern of behaviors that help you reach your desired end without requiring superhuman bouts of output. This means (for me, at least) that some deadlines will be missed. Some projects won’t be completed as quickly. And some expectations will need to be reset. Ultimately it’s worth it for me.

I recently started reading about how some of the most prolific writers and artists in history structured their days. I haven’t completed this research, but my understanding thus far is that I need to develop a substance abuse problem.

Stay tuned.