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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Daily Rituals summary
Mason Currey
How Artists Work
17 mins
Brief summary
'Daily Rituals' by Mason Currey provides unique insights into the daily routines and habits of famous writers and artists, revealing how they structured their days to find inspiration and produce great works of art.
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Daily Rituals
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Most artists do their creative work during a particular time.
We’re all familiar with the romantic image of the disheveled artist toiling through the night, typing or painting feverishly to finish their work. But this certainly isn’t how all creatives function.
Poet W.H. Auden, for instance, doesn’t fit the stereotype. He was particularly vigilant about his working hours, once declaring that “Only the Hitlers of the world work at night; no honest artist does.” Though not all artists take such a radical stance, many certainly prefer daytime working hours.
A slew of creatives give compelling reasons for working at dawn or in the early-morning hours. Take author Toni Morrison, for example, who likes to rise at around 5 a.m. and witness the dawn of each new day. For her, it’s important to wake before the light and observe the transition into day. She considers this a mystical moment that inspires her to write.
Some people get such a boost from this morning energy that one morning simply isn’t enough. Novelist Nicholson Baker, for example, reaps the benefit of two mornings in one day by waking up for a spell of writing at 4 a.m., then going back to sleep, and rising once again around 8:30 a.m. for his second morning.
But this penchant for early mornings is far from universal. There are many for whom nights are the optimal time for creative work.
For instance, author Ann Beattie is an absolute night owl. A great condoner of the idea that we are all attuned to different clocks, her preferred working hours are from 12 a.m to 3 a.m.
Gustave Flaubert is another example of someone who favored working at night. He had a routine that allowed him to fulfill his social and familial commitments during the day; this freed up the quiet hours of the night, when he found it easiest to write.
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What is Daily Rituals about?
Daily Rituals (2013) is an entertaining and illuminating collection of the daily routines of great minds and artists. Including the work habits of people such as Jane Austen, Ludwig van Beethoven and Pablo Picasso, it offers insights into the best ways to maximize efficiency and prevent writer’s block, as well as tips on how to get by in the creative world.
Daily Rituals Review
Daily Rituals (2013) by Mason Currey is a fascinating exploration of the daily habits and routines of creative minds throughout history. Here's why this book is worth picking up:
- Featuring a diverse range of artists, writers, and thinkers, it offers unique insights into how they structured their days to fuel their creative output.
- With concise and captivating anecdotes about each individual's daily rituals, the book keeps readers engaged and curious.
- By revealing the quirks and idiosyncrasies of these successful creatives, the book inspires readers to embrace their own unique routines and processes.
Best quote from Daily Rituals
For me, light is the signal in the transaction. Its not being in the light, its being there before it arrives. It enables me, in some sense. - Toni Morrison
—Mason Currey
Who should read Daily Rituals?
- Those interested in quirky facts about inspiring people
- Artists, academics and freelancers
- Anyone who wants to enrich their life with new rituals
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Daily Rituals FAQs
What is the main message of Daily Rituals?
The main message of Daily Rituals is that the routines and habits of creative individuals can inspire and influence our own productivity and creativity.
How long does it take to read Daily Rituals?
The reading time for Daily Rituals varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Daily Rituals a good book? Is it worth reading?
Daily Rituals is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the working lives of creative individuals. It provides valuable insights and inspiration for cultivating our own productive habits.
Who is the author of Daily Rituals?
The author of Daily Rituals is Mason Currey.
What to read after Daily Rituals?
If you're wondering what to read next after Daily Rituals, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Ignore Everybody by Hugh MacLeod
- My Morning Routine by Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander
- Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by Caroline Leaf
- Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron
- The Art of Reading Minds by Henrik Fexeus
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- Difficult Conversations Don't Have to Be Difficult by Jon Gordon & Amy P. Kelly
- The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee