Establish Your Rythem - Creativity & Time Mgt
For most creative people, being organized or having structure seems to threaten their creativity. These people typically cringe when they hear the phrase “time management” and having tools and a system for managing themselves is simply unheard of. Some feel as though it's against their grain to have any kind of structure.
The truth of the matter is that concentration is vital to the creative process. So, if you're someone who creates for a living, having a time management system is essential to your creative process. That process requires focus on the task at hand. It's hard to be “in the zone” experiencing creative flow when you are faced with interruptions that you don't know how to handle and the anxiety you might feel about the other things that you have to do. Having a system will only contribute to your creativity instead of threatening it.
This age of information overload is bad for you no matter what your profession is, and even worse for creative people. Handling interruptions and the many tasks at hand stand to wear away at your concentration while you are “in the zone”. You have to have a way to manage daily demands in a way that supports your creative process instead of stifling it.
Now, I'm not suggesting that you have a system that resembles something that you might see as rigid, or that rubs you the wrong way, but something that works for you. You don't even have to call it a system-let's call it a rhythm. Freedom is essential to the creative process, but you have to have the rhythm (structure) in order to give yourself that essential freedom. The system is as much of the creative process and the inspiration to create is. You can be creative with the system or “rhythm” that you create. There are steps that you can follow to establish your rhythm.
First, know what I call your “power time”. It's important to know what time of day you are most alert. This is precious time for those who create for a living. Treat it as such. Use a good portion of this time to create your masterpieces. When planning your day, set other times of the day for tasks that don't require as much of your energy and concentration.
Create and maintain a To-Do list. Know that you don't have to say “yes” to everything that comes your way. You have the power of choice. Exercise it wisely. The things that you choose to do go on this list. Once they are there, on a regular basis, (I recommend daily) review the tasks before you. Begin by prioritizing things that are important but not urgent. This allows you to avoid spending time on tasks that are urgent and important, which is what happens when there is no rhythm (planning). Look at the tasks you have that are important but not urgent and give them priorities. It might be a difficult thing to do, but it will allow you to make progress and maintain your freedom because you won't be in reaction mode. You will be dealing with tasks before they become urgent. Choose the time to complete each task and enter it into your calendar if it will take more than 15 minutes for you to accomplish. Also, learn to say “no” and to delegate when you can.
By all means, set a specific time to read and answer your email. If you feel tempted when you hear the email notification, turn it off. Block out a space of time in your calendar to read and reply to email and stick to it. Don't make reading your email the first thing on your daily agenda. Email is one of those things that will derail your day. Before you know it you could be off doing something other than reading your email as a result of something that was in your inbox and losing valuable time in the process.
Most importantly, manage your interruptions. At times, make yourself unavailable-turn off the phone, close your door, and don't accept visitors. Of course you'll want to do this while you are creating, but there are other times you may wish to do so in order to keep up your productive flow. That phone call or knock at the door might be important, but they are, nonetheless, interruptions. Interruptions eat away at your concentration, making you less productive.
During the course of your day, keep a notebook handy so that you can quickly jot down things that need to be done or quick reminders. This will keep you focused on what you are doing and keep those things that need to be done in front of you. When you're reviewing the things that need to be done, you can take items from your notebook and place them on your To-Do list.
I encourage you to be creative in establishing your rhythm. What's important is that it includes tools and patterns in your daily activities that support you. It doesn't have to look like the “norm”, but you have to have it in order to be “in the zone” and keep your freedom. Having and moving to your own rhythm is vital to your creative process in more than one way.
The truth of the matter is that concentration is vital to the creative process. So, if you're someone who creates for a living, having a time management system is essential to your creative process. That process requires focus on the task at hand. It's hard to be “in the zone” experiencing creative flow when you are faced with interruptions that you don't know how to handle and the anxiety you might feel about the other things that you have to do. Having a system will only contribute to your creativity instead of threatening it.
This age of information overload is bad for you no matter what your profession is, and even worse for creative people. Handling interruptions and the many tasks at hand stand to wear away at your concentration while you are “in the zone”. You have to have a way to manage daily demands in a way that supports your creative process instead of stifling it.
Now, I'm not suggesting that you have a system that resembles something that you might see as rigid, or that rubs you the wrong way, but something that works for you. You don't even have to call it a system-let's call it a rhythm. Freedom is essential to the creative process, but you have to have the rhythm (structure) in order to give yourself that essential freedom. The system is as much of the creative process and the inspiration to create is. You can be creative with the system or “rhythm” that you create. There are steps that you can follow to establish your rhythm.
First, know what I call your “power time”. It's important to know what time of day you are most alert. This is precious time for those who create for a living. Treat it as such. Use a good portion of this time to create your masterpieces. When planning your day, set other times of the day for tasks that don't require as much of your energy and concentration.
Create and maintain a To-Do list. Know that you don't have to say “yes” to everything that comes your way. You have the power of choice. Exercise it wisely. The things that you choose to do go on this list. Once they are there, on a regular basis, (I recommend daily) review the tasks before you. Begin by prioritizing things that are important but not urgent. This allows you to avoid spending time on tasks that are urgent and important, which is what happens when there is no rhythm (planning). Look at the tasks you have that are important but not urgent and give them priorities. It might be a difficult thing to do, but it will allow you to make progress and maintain your freedom because you won't be in reaction mode. You will be dealing with tasks before they become urgent. Choose the time to complete each task and enter it into your calendar if it will take more than 15 minutes for you to accomplish. Also, learn to say “no” and to delegate when you can.
By all means, set a specific time to read and answer your email. If you feel tempted when you hear the email notification, turn it off. Block out a space of time in your calendar to read and reply to email and stick to it. Don't make reading your email the first thing on your daily agenda. Email is one of those things that will derail your day. Before you know it you could be off doing something other than reading your email as a result of something that was in your inbox and losing valuable time in the process.
Most importantly, manage your interruptions. At times, make yourself unavailable-turn off the phone, close your door, and don't accept visitors. Of course you'll want to do this while you are creating, but there are other times you may wish to do so in order to keep up your productive flow. That phone call or knock at the door might be important, but they are, nonetheless, interruptions. Interruptions eat away at your concentration, making you less productive.
During the course of your day, keep a notebook handy so that you can quickly jot down things that need to be done or quick reminders. This will keep you focused on what you are doing and keep those things that need to be done in front of you. When you're reviewing the things that need to be done, you can take items from your notebook and place them on your To-Do list.
I encourage you to be creative in establishing your rhythm. What's important is that it includes tools and patterns in your daily activities that support you. It doesn't have to look like the “norm”, but you have to have it in order to be “in the zone” and keep your freedom. Having and moving to your own rhythm is vital to your creative process in more than one way.
|
|
