One of the most valuable notes that I keep on my phone is a running account of the things that help me to have a good day.

I've titled it, "My theory of a good day."

And like any good theory, I am constantly testing and updating it.

Whenever I discover something new that makes me feel better—or something that I want to try—I add it to the list. And I version and date the list each time I change it, so I can keep track of the seasons in my life.

For a while, I would eat a bagel when I first woke up. These days I prefer a bowl of oatmeal later in the morning.

In one version, I would write before starting work. In another version, I wrote in the evening.

The goal isn't to timebox every minute of my day. That would be impossible anyway. Instead, I try to capture the sequence. First this, then that, then this. It's how our days are naturally built, whether we're aware of it or not. I simply document it, then update it when it changes.

And in doing so, I learn a little bit more about what makes me happy, so that I can spend more time doing what I enjoy.

New is not new.

All ideas have their building blocks. Pieces that were contributed by other creators, other authors, other professionals.

To get good at coming up with original ideas, become a master at combining things. Collect the blocks and then put them together in new and interesting ways.

Then build a block of your own.