This particular post (linked above) deals with creatives and systems. Its so often that we think the two are directly apposed where in fact they should be synonyms. This post laid it out so simply and clearly that I had no choice but to share it - enjoy!

Too Summize:

  1. ROUTINES
    Many creative people lead apparently boring working lives, sticking to the same routine every day. They do this because they understand instinctively what neuroscience has now confirmed – routine is a key that unlocks creative inspiration.

Circadian rhythms of arousal and mental alertness mean that certain times of day are especially conducive to focused creative work. The effect is magnified when familiar objects, surroundings, and other stimuli (coffee, background music) become associative triggers for creative states of mind.

  1. SYSTEMS
    A rock-solid productivity system performs a dual function for your creativity: (1) It ensures that all ideas and action steps are captured, so that nothing slips through the cracks, in your own work and within your team, and (2) When you are confident that everything important has been captured, you are free to focus fully on the task in hand.

Systems are different from routines, since they are not dependent on circumstances. Major events can play havoc with your routine. When this happens, a good system acts as a safety net.

  1. SPONTANEITY
    Real creativity involves spontaneity and surprise, whether a simple “Aha!” moment or the lightning bolt of inspiration. Paradoxically, the harder you work at routines and systems, the more likely you are to experience that bolt from the blue.

Archimedes wouldn’t have had his bathtub revelation if he hadn’t been working hard on problems of volume and density. Coleridge’s notebooks show that much of the groundwork for “Kubla Khan” had been done in the months leading up to his famous opium trip.

Please go there to check out the rest and read what Stephen King does to ensure his creative process!