The top 1% ignore "inspiration" completely.

Hey,

Day 87.

Yesterday I woke up at 9:20 AM.

That's 3+ hours later than usual.

Why? Because I was up late the night before, stressed. Kept thinking "did I do enough work today?" Worked another 45 minutes just to quiet my brain. Then went to bed still thinking about it.

Woke up late. Went for a walk. Took a long shower. Hung out with my wife.

Thought to myself: "I need to slow down today."

Watched Netflix. Then played Basketball around 4pm. - Then decided, alright, time to work.

But didn’t.

I Started late at 8 PM.

Knowing that it’s late I followed the Pareto Principle (20/80 rule). Do 20% of the things that did 80% of the results.

• This newsletter

• Updated my Gumroad page

• Hosted a Space

• Just showed up.

4 hours of solid work. That's the minimum. That counts.

Old me would’ve may done a post on X. Did some journaling and re-start tomorrow. But that’s just the old me.

The current me maintains the identity of an entrepreneur.

Not by working 12 hours. By showing up and doing what mattered, even when I strategically slowed down.

That's the difference between “waiting for motivation” and having a system.

Let me explain what I mean.

The thing about motivation

You don't feel like it every morning.

But you still gotta do it.

We know this. But we still gotta do it anyway.

Mason Currey (elite journalist) spent 5 years studying hundreds of famous thinkers. His conclusion: "Waiting for inspiration to strike is a terrible plan. The single best piece of advice I can offer: ignore inspiration."

Ignore it.

The greatest thinkers and creators and people - didn't wait to feel ready. They built systems that made the work happen regardless.

Robert Caro (Pulitzer-prize winner) - every inch of his office governed by rules. Same routine for years.

Charles Darwin - 7am wake, walk, breakfast, 8-9:30am study. Same schedule every day.

The ritual decided when they worked. Not their mood.

That's what saved me yesterday.

Why systems beat motivation every time

When you have a system, you know what to do as soon as you enter your study room.

No decisions. No "what should I do today?" No waiting for “inspration.”

You just start.

Yesterday I started 9 hours late. But once I sat down, the system took over:

• Phone in another room

• Timer set for 90 minutes

• One task at a time

• No distractions

The ritual eliminates the thinking. You just execute.

Here's what I learned from Atomic Habits:

You don't rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

87 days ago, I couldn't read for 15 minutes without checking my phone.

Today? I do 3×90-minute deep work sessions daily.

I didn't start with 90 minutes. I started with 15.

Then added 5-10 minutes every few days:

• Day 1-3: 15-minute blocks

• Day 4-7: 20-minute blocks

• Day 8-14: 30-minute blocks

• Day 15-21: 45-minute blocks

• By day 30: 60-90 minute blocks

Get 1% better every day for a year = 37 times better.

1.01^365 = 37.78

That's how you build elite focus. Not overnight. One percent at a time.

The 3 questions your system must answer

Every effective deep work ritual answers these:

1. Where and how long?

Specific location. Defined time frame.

"90 minutes at my desk" = your brain knows what to expect.

"Until I'm done" = your brain has no idea how to pace itself.

2. How will you work?

Rules that eliminate decision-making.

Phone in another room. Internet off. Track output every 20 minutes.

Without this, you waste willpower asking "should I check that notification?"

3. How will you support the work?

Coffee before starting. Water nearby. Light movement between blocks.

Systematize the support so you don't figure it out in the moment.

My ritual: 10 AM - 12 PM reading block. Same desk. Door closed. Phone on DND in another room. 90-minute timer. Headphones with pink noise.

I turn on X Spaces live during my reading. Topic says "Extraction from Deep Work."

Now I can't fake it. Public accountability forces me to actually do the work.

The 4 philosophies of deep work

There are 4 ways to do deep work. Most people struggle because they're using the wrong one.

Monastic: Eliminate ALL shallow work.

Example: Donald Knuth, Stanford computer scientist. No email since 1990. You reach him by sending him a physical letter and he checks them in a batch once every 3 months.

This works when you have ONE goal.

But YOU have obligations. You probably can't do this.

Bimodal: Weeks/days of pure deep work, then weeks of normal life.

Example: Carl Jung spent weeks/days at his retreat writing. Then returned to run his hometown for weeks to work in his clinic. (his 9-5)

This works if you can block off full weeks. Most people with jobs can't.

Rhythmic: Same time every single day. No decisions needed.

Example: Jerry Seinfeld - write jokes daily, mark X on calendar, don't break the chain.

This is what works for most people, including me.

Brian Chappell (a famous writer) tried to write his dissertation "whenever I find time." after getting a job in a 9-5. Result? 1 chapter in a year.

He switched to Rhythmic: 4:45 AM every day until 7:30 AM.

New result? 1 chapter every 2-3 weeks.

Journalistic: Fit deep work in any spare time you get. Shift into deep mode instantly.

This requires mastery. You're probably not here yet. Stick with Rhythmic.

Why this matters

You have knowledge.

Whether you work a 9-5 or not, you want to make money online.

You're a future entrepreneur. A knowledge worker with ideas but don't know how to monetize them.

Here's the truth: deep work gives your life meaning.

It's not about productivity. It's about who you become when you show up every day.

Yesterday I maintained my identity as an entrepreneur. Not by working 12 hours. By doing 4 hours of solid work even when I strategically slowed down.

That's the standard.

4 hours of deep work per day = minimum.

That's what separates people who build from people who talk about building.

What you should do

Build a routine. Stick to it.

Pick your time. Same time every day.

Start with 15 minutes. Not 90. Just 15.

Then add 1% every few days.

Answer these 3 questions:

1. Where and how long?

2. How will I work?

3. How will I support the work?

Write it down. Start tomorrow.

That's it.

Don't break the chain.

Day 87 done.

Let's go.

– Vaibhav

Oh - here’s a free playbook you can digest so you can build that identity.