The Routines of Creative Legends

Ever wonder if there's a secret formula to creative genius?

Spoiler: There’s not.

But routines? Oh, creatives love ‘em. Some swear by strict discipline, others embrace chaos—but all of them have habits that keep their creativity flowing.

Here’s a look at how some of history’s most famous creatives structured their days.

Pablo Picasso

🎨 Painter, Sculptor, Cubism Pioneer

Picasso was a night owl. He’d start painting in the late afternoon and work through the night, sometimes until dawn.

His reasoning? The world was too distracting during the day. He once said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

His daily rhythm:

• Wake up late, around 11 a.m.

• Have a light meal (often fish and wine—because, France).

• Spend the early afternoon on errands, reading, or socializing.

• Paint obsessively from 3 p.m. until past midnight.

• Take occasional breaks for a cigarette, but rarely for food.

If you’re someone who does your best work when the world is asleep, Picasso would approve.

(Source: John Richardson’s "A Life of Picasso")

Haruki Murakami

📚 Novelist, Marathon Runner, Jazz Enthusiast

Murakami treats writing like athletic training. He follows a brutally disciplined routine:

• Wake up at 4 a.m.

• Write for 5–6 hours.

• Go for a 10k run or swim a few kilometers.

• Read, listen to jazz, or translate literature.

• In bed by 9 p.m.

He believes this strict repetition creates a deep mental state, saying:
"The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it's a form of mesmerism. I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind.”

(Source: Murakami’s memoir, “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”)

Salvador Dalí

🖌️ Surrealist Painter, Mustache Enthusiast

Dalí had a bizarre but effective technique for capturing ideas from the subconscious: the key nap.

Here’s how it worked:

• He’d sit in a chair holding a key over a metal plate.

• As he drifted into sleep, his hand would relax, dropping the key.

• The noise would wake him up just as he entered the dream state, allowing him to harness surreal visions.

It sounds ridiculous, but hey—he painted melting clocks, so who are we to judge?

(Source: Dalí’s autobiography, “The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí”)

Scott Belsky

💡 Founder of Behance, Adobe’s Chief Product Officer, Productivity Guru

Belsky believes creative work isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about designing an environment where great work happens consistently.

His routine:

• Starts his day by focusing on deep work. He doesn’t check emails or Slack right away.

• Uses time blocking to protect creative energy—mornings for hard thinking, afternoons for meetings.

• Carries a notebook everywhere. Belsky swears by writing things down immediately to avoid losing valuable ideas.

• Follows the “Messy Middle” philosophy—he believes the hardest part of any project isn’t the start or the finish, but the chaotic middle.

"We often overestimate what we can do in a day and underestimate what we can do in a year," he says.

(Source: Scott Belsky’s book, “The Messy Middle”)

Ludwig van Beethoven

🎼 Composer, Coffee Perfectionist

Beethoven was obsessed with his morning coffee, and not in a casual “I need my latte” way.

He personally counted out exactly 60 coffee beans per cup.

After his scientifically precise coffee ritual, he spent the rest of the morning composing.

By early afternoon, he’d take long walks—always carrying a notebook to jot down ideas that came to him outdoors.

(Source: Alexander Wheelock Thayer’s “Life of Beethoven”)

Steve Jobs

🍏 Apple Co-Founder, Minimalist, Turtleneck Enthusiast

Jobs didn’t believe in wasting mental energy on trivial decisions. That’s why he wore the same outfit—black turtleneck, jeans, and New Balance sneakers—every single day.

His daily philosophy? Simplicity = clarity.

His morning routine:

• Started every day by looking in the mirror and asking: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”

• If the answer was “no” for too many days in a row, he knew it was time for a change.

• Prioritized long walks for deep thinking—many of his most famous Apple product decisions were made during walking meetings.

(Source: Walter Isaacson’s “Steve Jobs”)

Ernest Hemingway

📝 Novelist, Professional Adventurer

Hemingway’s golden rule? Write before the world wakes up.

• He started writing at 5:30 or 6 a.m.

• Stopped when he “ran out of steam” (usually after 500–1,000 words).

• Then spent the rest of the day fishing, drinking, and generally being Ernest Hemingway.

He once said,
"I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you, and it is cool or cold, and you come to your work and warm as you write."

(Source: “A Moveable Feast” by Hemingway)

The Takeaway?

There’s no one way to be creative. Some creatives rise at dawn; others work deep into the night. Some need total isolation, while others embrace chaos.

The common thread? They all had a routine.

If you’re struggling to get in the zone, maybe it’s time to experiment. Find the ritual that makes your creativity click—whether that’s a strict schedule, a daily walk, or counting out exactly 60 coffee beans.

Your masterpiece might just be waiting on the other side of your next habit.