Legendary Work Habits

How prolific thinkers, artists, and innovators sustain their work over decades

  1. 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.”

  2. 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.”

  3. 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.”

  4. Le Corbusier – The Structured Designer The modernist architect balanced strict routine with bursts of social interaction.

    • Worked from 8 AM to 1 PM without interruption
    • Took a long lunch and socialized with friends and clients
    • Painted from 4 to 6 PM (his other passion)
    • Went to bed at 10 PM sharp, regardless of social obligations
    • “A house is a machine for living in.”

  5. Maya Angelou – The Hotel Room Writer Angelou removed all distractions to create the perfect writing environment.

    • Rented a bare hotel room with only a bed, a desk, and basic supplies
    • Wrote lying down on the bed rather than at a desk
    • Kept only a Bible, dictionary, thesaurus, and yellow legal pads
    • Worked from 7 AM to 2 PM without interruption
    • “I keep a hotel room in which I do my work—a tiny, mean room with just a bed.”

  6. John Steinbeck – The Pencil Ritual The Nobel Prize winner had an almost obsessive relationship with his writing tools.

    • Used only #2 yellow pencils, sharpening 12 at the start of each day
    • Wrote standing up at a chest-high lectern
    • Set a daily goal of 1,500–2,000 words
    • Kept detailed journals alongside his fiction work
    • “The discipline of the written word punishes both stupidity and dishonesty.”

  7. Georgia O’Keeffe – The Desert Solitude The painter found her rhythm in the isolation of New Mexico.

    • Rose before dawn to paint in the best light
    • Worked alone for 6–8 hours without breaks
    • Took long walks in the desert for inspiration
    • Avoided social commitments during intense work periods
    • “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way.”

  8. 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.”

  9. 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)