habits and schedules

This is a good reminder for a Monday morning even if I will never be as (supposedly) productive as Ben Franklin.

“Just set one day’s work in front of the last day’s work. That’s the way it comes out. And that’s the only way it does."

"In writing, habit seems to be a much stronger force than either willpower or inspiration. Consequently there must be some little quality of fierceness until the habit pattern of a certain number of words is established. There is no possibility, in me at least, of saying, “I’ll do it if I feel like it.” One never feels like awaking day after day. In fact, given the smallest excuse, one will not work at all. The rest is nonsense. Perhaps there are people who can work that way, but I cannot. I must get my words down every day whether they are any good or not."

John Steinbeck

via {brain pickings}

photo: Ben Franklin's daily schedule