When Victor Hugo needed to finish The Hunchback of Notre-Dame under a tight deadline, he resorted to an extreme anti-procrastination tactic: he locked away his clothes. The French literary giant, known for his flamboyant personality, would instruct his valet to hide all his garments except a large gray shawl. Left nearly naked in his study, Hugo had no choice but to write—venturing out would mean facing Parisian society in what amounted to a woolen potato sack.
This peculiar ritual wasn’t just eccentricity; it was necessity. Hugo had signed a contract in 1830 requiring Hunchback’s completion within six months. Facing financial penalties for delays, he turned his home into a creative prison. His valet guarded the door, returning clothes only when daily writing quotas were met. The strategy worked: Hugo delivered the manuscript two weeks early, gifting the world one of literature’s greatest novels—and possibly the first recorded use of “accountability nudity.”
Hugo’s methods didn’t stop there. During Les Misérables’ creation, he reportedly wrote standing at a lectern from dawn till dusk, comparing himself to a “galley slave chained to his oar.” He’d take ice baths to stay alert and demand family members monitor his progress. Critics might call it dramatic, but Hugo’s output speaks for itself: 13 million words across his lifetime, including poetry, plays, and political essays.
Modern productivity gurus would approve of his approach. By removing distractions (and trousers), Hugo created what psychologists now call “commitment devices”—external constraints that force action. Today’s equivalents include apps that donate money to hated causes if you miss deadlines, or writers who disable Wi-Fi routers. None, however, match Hugo’s flair for theatrical self-discipline.
Of course, the 19th century offered certain advantages. No social media to scroll, no streaming services to binge—just quill pens, candlelight, and the ever-present threat of public indecency. Hugo’s shawl might’ve been scratchy, but it never sent push notifications.
So next time you procrastinate, remember: one of France’s greatest authors literally stripped down to get work done. Just maybe try a less drafty approach—like locking your phone in a drawer. Your coworkers will thank you.
