Mark Gilroy

Apple Macbook Pro 14" M1 Max with dbrand Ali Abdaal skin

When I'm in a creative rut, there are two foolproof methods to help me get unstuck. The first one is going to sleep; I've lost count of the number of times I've gone to bed with a problem in my head and woken up with the answer staring me in the face - the unconscious mind is great at solving problems! The second one is getting on my feet and going for a walk somewhere where there is green space - no stimulation with music/podcasts etc - the simple act of moving and being around nature is usually enough to trigger some new inspiration.

I live in a very bike friendly city, so I usually cycle into the studio on my e-bike and grab a large coffee to start the day. I spend some time at my desk mapping out what I want to achieve and always tackle the biggest / most complex task first. That way, after breaking for lunch, I know I've cleared the biggest mountain and it's all (theoretically) downhill from there! I try and keep any calls/meetings for afternoons only so that I always have a clear uninterrupted run at deep focus work when I have the most energy (in the morning). I have a young family so I prioritise being home for the dinner/bedtime routines in the evenings. I've learned that I'm completely useless at working at night so I try to recharge once the kids are in bed - cooking is one my favourite mindful tasks