A Peek Behind the Curtain
I often get asked about my workflow, my tools, and how I manage to stay productive while juggling multiple projects. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain and giving you an honest, detailed look at how everything works behind the scenes.
I want to preface this by saying that everyone's workflow is different, and what works for me might not work for you. The goal here isn't to prescribe a specific system, but to share what I've found effective so you can take the pieces that resonate and build your own approach.
My daily routine
I start each morning with a clear plan of what I want to accomplish. Before I even open my laptop, I spend about 10 minutes reviewing my task list and identifying the top three things that would make the day a success. This simple practice has been transformative — it keeps me focused on what actually matters instead of getting pulled into the reactive cycle of emails and notifications.
My most creative and focused work happens in the morning, so I protect that time fiercely. No meetings before noon if I can help it. No social media. No email. Just deep work on whatever my most important project is. I usually work in focused 90-minute blocks with short breaks in between to stretch, grab water, or just stare out the window for a few minutes.
Afternoons are for calls, collaboration, and the tasks that require less intense focus — things like responding to messages, reviewing work, planning ahead, and handling administrative stuff. By structuring my day this way, I make sure my best energy goes toward my most important work.
Tools I love
Over the years, I've refined my toolkit to just the essentials. I believe in using fewer tools but mastering them completely. Here's what my current stack looks like:
For writing and notes, I use a minimal text editor that keeps me focused on the words rather than the formatting. I've tried every note-taking app under the sun, and I've learned that the simpler the tool, the more likely I am to actually use it consistently.
For project management, I keep things straightforward with a combination of a kanban board for active projects and a simple document for long-term planning. I've found that complex project management systems create more overhead than they're worth for solo creators or small teams.
For design and visual work, I rely on tools that let me move quickly from idea to execution. Speed matters here — if it takes too long to get an idea out of my head and onto the screen, I lose the creative momentum.
For communication, I try to batch my responses into two dedicated time blocks per day. Constant context-switching between creative work and communication is one of the biggest productivity killers I've experienced, and batching has been the best antidote.
The creative process
Ideas can come from anywhere — a conversation with a friend, a book I'm reading, a problem I'm trying to solve, or even just a walk outside. The key is having a system to capture those ideas before they disappear. I keep a running list of ideas and revisit them regularly to see which ones still excite me after the initial spark has faded.
Not every idea is worth pursuing, and that's an important lesson I've learned over time. I used to chase every shiny new idea, which meant I was always starting things and rarely finishing them. Now, I let ideas sit for at least a week before committing to them. If an idea still feels compelling after that cooling-off period, it's probably worth exploring.
When I do commit to an idea, I start with an outline. I map out the key points I want to cover, the structure I want to follow, and the outcome I'm aiming for. This blueprint makes the actual creation process much smoother because I'm not making structural decisions and creative decisions at the same time.
Then comes the messy first draft. I write quickly and without judgment, knowing that the editing phase is where the real magic happens. Separating creation from editing is crucial — they use different parts of your brain, and trying to do both simultaneously leads to slower output and worse results.
Staying inspired
Burnout is real, and I've experienced it more than once. The things that help me stay inspired and avoid creative fatigue are surprisingly simple: regular exercise, time in nature, reading widely outside my field, and having honest conversations with people I admire. Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum — it needs fuel, and that fuel comes from living a full, curious life.
I also believe strongly in the power of rest. Some of my best ideas have come after stepping away from work entirely — during a weekend off, a vacation, or even just an afternoon nap. Our brains do incredible work in the background when we give them space to process.
That's a wrap on the behind-the-scenes tour! I hope this gives you some useful ideas for your own workflow. What does your creative process look like? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.