A couple of years ago, I discovered Julia Cameron’s book “The Artist’s Way,” which I highly recommend! While it’s framed as a 12-week journey to creative recovery, one practice in the book has become an enduring part of my leadership toolkit: Morning Pages.

At its core, the book is about reconnecting with your creative self—the part of you that gets buried under deadlines, meetings, and responsibilities. It’s about clearing the inner clutter so you can show up with more clarity, purpose, and energy.

So what are Morning Pages?

They’re simple: three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. No rules. No audience. Just you and the page.

And before you say, “But I’m not an artist,” let me stop you right there.

This practice isn’t about writing the next bestseller or becoming a poet (though if that’s your goal, GO AHEAD!). It’s about making space for the creative intelligence that lives inside you—the same one that helps you lead teams, design strategy, spark innovation, or craft a compelling message. Creativity is not a job title. It’s a way of thinking, solving, and connecting.

And that clarity? That grounded presence you crave but rarely have time to cultivate? Morning Pages helps you get there.

Here’s how you begin:

• First thing in the morning—before email, before social media, before the day starts tugging at you—sit down somewhere quiet with a notebook and a pen (and, if you’re like me, a warm cup of tea).
• Write three full pages of whatever comes to mind. No editing. No analyzing. Just write.
• If you don’t know what to say, write that. If you’re resisting the process, write that too. The only rule is: don’t stop until you’ve filled the pages.

And yes, you may wonder—why spend 15-20 minutes a day doing this if no one will ever see it?

Because leadership starts with self-awareness. And Morning Pages clears the noise, helping you tune in to what’s true. It’s where ideas surface. Patterns become visible. Vision sharpens.

I’ve noticed that when I fall out of the habit—often unintentionally—I feel it. My mind feels noisier. I’m more reactive, less grounded. And inevitably, I find my way back to the page. Because it works.

So if you’re looking for a practice that supports your leadership and your well-being, give Morning Pages a try. It’s deceptively simple—and surprisingly powerful.

And if you’re already doing them, I’d love to hear what you’ve discovered in the process.

Let’s keep creating—ideas, momentum, space—for what matters most.