How do the most prolific thinkers, artists, and innovators sustain their work over decades? These figures developed unique approaches to discipline, creativity, and productivity—some rigid, some unconventional, but all deeply intentional.

01. Franz Kafka – The Midnight Writer

Kafka worked full-time as an insurance clerk, so his writing had to fit into the margins of his life.

• Worked his day job from 8 AM to 2:30 PM

• Took a nap, had dinner, and socialized in the evening

• Wrote from 10:30 PM until 3 AM, despite suffering from exhaustion

• Believed solitude and quiet were necessary for deep creative work

• "Time is short, my strength is limited, the office is a horror, the apartment is noisy… and yet I must write."

02. Nikola Tesla – The Monastic Inventor

Tesla lived a life of extreme discipline, claiming to need only two hours of sleep per night.

• Worked in deep concentration for hours without interruption

• Took long walks to solve problems (reportedly walking 8–10 miles a day)

• Ate only one or two meals a day, avoiding rich foods

• Never married or pursued relationships, believing they distracted from his work

• "If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration."

03. Haruki Murakami – The Marathon Routine

The novelist treats writing like a marathon—both mentally and physically.

• Wakes up at 4 AM and writes for 5–6 hours straight

• Runs 10 km or swims 1,500 meters every afternoon

• Reads, listens to music, and goes to bed at 9 PM

• Believes in the power of repetition: his routine rarely changes

• "The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it's a form of mesmerism."

04. Le Corbusier – The Structured Designer

The modernist architect balanced strict routine with bursts of social interaction.

• Woke at 6 AM and worked in bed for two hours

• Took a morning swim and then designed from 10 AM–12 PM

• Ate a simple lunch and took a nap

• Worked again in the afternoon, finishing early to socialize or take walks

• "To create, one must first question everything."

05. Maya Angelou – Writing in Isolation

Angelou believed in setting up a completely distraction-free environment.

• Rented a small hotel room and stripped it of any decorations

• Brought only a dictionary, a Bible, a deck of cards, and a bottle of sherry

• Wrote from 7 AM to 2 PM daily

• Reviewed her work in the evening but never wrote at home

• "Easy reading is damn hard writing."

06. Stephen King – The 2,000-Word Rule

King doesn't wait for inspiration—he sits down and writes, no matter what.

• Writes 2,000 words every morning, even on holidays

• Works in a completely distraction-free room with no internet or phone

• Believes consistency is the secret to creative longevity

• "Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work."

07. Ludwig van Beethoven – Precision & Routine

Beethoven's work habits were defined by exactness, especially with his coffee.

• Counted out exactly 60 coffee beans per cup every morning

• Worked from daybreak until 2 PM, often taking long walks in the afternoon

• Carried a notebook everywhere, constantly jotting down musical ideas

• "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy."

08. Steve Jobs – Walking Meetings

Jobs was known for his intense focus and love of simplicity, even in work habits.

• Started each morning by asking himself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do?"

• Preferred walking meetings to sitting at a desk

• Wore the same outfit daily (black turtleneck, jeans) to eliminate decision fatigue

• "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

09. Richard Feynman – The Playful Scientist

Unlike many rigid workers, Feynman thrived on play and curiosity.

• Took long breaks to play bongos, draw, or tell jokes between physics work

• Believed that having fun kept his mind sharp

• Ignored conventional expectations, working at odd hours and in unconventional places

• "The highest forms of understanding we can achieve are laughter and human compassion."

10. Agatha Christie – No Desk, No Problem

One of the most prolific novelists of all time, Christie had no fixed workspace.

• Wrote wherever she could find a surface, often using the kitchen table

• Didn't need inspiration—just a strong sense of discipline

• Finished one novel per year for most of her career

• "The secret of getting ahead is getting started."

Patterns & Insights from These Work Habits:

• Morning Routines Matter – Many creative minds start early and carve out quiet hours for deep work

• Consistency > Inspiration – The most prolific figures rely on strict schedules rather than waiting for motivation

• Movement Fuels Thinking – Walking (Beethoven, Jobs, Murakami) and play (Feynman) help generate ideas

• Environment Matters – Some need total isolation (Angelou), while others thrive in unpredictability (Christie)