We’re in the middle of a series on writing habits here on the podcast, and over the last few days’ worth of short episodes, we’ve talked about several practices you can develop that will help you build that all-important writing habit.

Today’s episode is for all the night owls… as well as the early birds… and everyone in-between. Here’s writing habits practice #5:

Figure out your most productive time of day.

A lot of entrepreneurs and leaders will try to tell you that you must be a morning person in order to be effective. Hogwash. You have to lean into the way you are wired. You must do what works for you.

I encourage you to experiment with figuring out the best time of day for you to write.

I don’t believe that writing in the morning is the only way to go. Many people swear by this, but it really depends on your biology and schedule. Not everybody is a morning person. Many people come alive later in the day or even late at night.

That said, Ernest Hemingway wrote in the morning. He said this:

When I am working on a book or a story, I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write. You read what you have written and, as you always stop when you know what is going to happen next, you go on from there.

For you, it might be different. Many creative types like to work late at night. You have to do what works for you. So, here’s your pal, Professor Kent, giving you permission to go with the way you’re wired.

But it doesn’t mean you have to stay that way. You can always develop better habits. A lot of successful people keep an early morning routine, so that’s worth considering. But it doesn’t mean you have to be an early morning person to be a successful writer.

Question: What is your ideal time of day to write?