We often believe that structure kills creativity—that routines and schedules stifle the muse. Donald Miller argues the exact opposite. In fact, he says, believing that structure hurts art is the mark of an amateur.

In this episode, I talk with the CEO of StoryBrand and New York Times bestselling author about how he transformed his creative process from a chaotic three-year struggle into a disciplined, repeatable machine. Don shares how he shifted from writing memoirs like Blue Like Jazz to building a business empire, and why he believes you must stop chasing the muse and make the muse chase you.

We discuss:

• The Amateur vs. Pro Mindset: Why "waiting for inspiration" is a trap.
• The 90-Minute Routine: Don’s strict morning ritual (and the 8:30 PM bedtime that powers it).
• Serving the Audience: The critical shift from writing to impress people to writing to help them.
• Operationalizing Creativity: How to create a structure that allows you to ship work consistently, even when you don't "feel" like it.

Links:

• Donald Miller’s Weekly Soundbite
• Hero on a Mission