As you know, my computer had problem a month ago; I lost a lot of information, including blog posts and notes. You might say I’m a little under the blog weather. 🙂 But I’m getting by with a little help from my friends. This week, author Judy Christie discusses time management.
The Creative Person’s Guide to Time Management
As a writer, I am drawn to creative people—smart, funny, interesting, innovative, and imaginative. Writers, editors, and other word artists explore and imagine and adapt to a dizzying rate of change, a combination that clogs schedules faster than a plateful of spaghetti clogs a drain (don’t ask how I know this).
Sometimes we give up creative activities because we are too busy—such as during this jammed fall season. Or, we let that nagging negative voice in our minds convince us that our project is just not that important or good, unworthy of our time and attention.
With eight novels published, I have observed that creative projects—even though they are often personal—take planning and organization, similar to skills used in business.
As people of imagination, we often see ideas and plans outgrow our calendars. We may feel as though we never do anything as well as hoped. We sacrifice sleep and fitness and nutrition in the name of creating. We juggle the balls of words on paper, marketing, bookkeeping, and more. On top of that we pile family responsibilities, community duties and logistics of daily life.
This is not the way it should be.
Consider these steps to manage time as a creative person:
• Focus on what gives you energy—because in this energy you are likely using your gifts to touch the world.
• Assess what’s most important, remembering that a long list of priorities is really just a to-do list. Narrow down to activities only you can do or that will have the biggest payoff for you and your creative goals.
• Remember this business is about more than work. It is about creative relationships—with readers, writers, agents, editors, and more. It’s also about enjoying this life we’ve been given—opening room for talents to flourish.
• For everything you gain, you will probably have to give something up. You can’t do it all. Use that creative mind to make tough decisions about what goes away.
• You could create 24 hours day, 7 days a week. Set a workable schedule for projects. You lose effectiveness if you stretch hours later each day, into every weekend, giving up vacations and days off—and snapping at your friends and family.
• Exercise. This is a proven stress reducer and creativity builder, but it’s one of the first things to fall off busy people’s schedules. Start small, if you have not been exercising, but start somewhere, even a walk around the block. This is a wonderful tool to help come up with ideas.
• Rest. You cannot go full tilt all the time and be creative and content with life and work.
How about you? What works best as you manage your time as a creative person? I’d love to hear your comments.
Judy Christie writes fiction with a Louisiana flavor and loves visiting on her old green couch. Her eighth novel, Magnolia Market, released last month from HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Publishers Weekly calls it “a delightful tale that entices readers with the aroma of biscuits, romance and new starts.” For more info, see JudyChristie.com.
Tweet: How do you manage your time as a creative person?
Tweet: Creative projects take planning & organization, similar to business skills. Here’s how.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Such wonderful words of wisdom! Thank you, Judy!
Over the years, I’ve developed the art of saying, “No, thank you. I’ll have to pass.” At first, it was difficult, but not so much anymore. By avoiding some of the time-sucks I allowed to hijack my day, I’ve gained peace of mind and more time to write.
And I so agree with not being able to do it all. I never really wanted to be Superwoman, but if some folks do (and can) more power to ’em!
Amen and pass the chocolate!
Saying no is one of the most important things I had to learn. 🙂
Lovely post and so true! I set daily goals and weekly goals. If I have a day where everything feels too much, I go to a park or the art museum to refresh.
Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way) calls this an Artist Date. 🙂 Honestly, I can’t live without ’em. VERY wise copying mechanism.
Thanks, Cynthia and Jill, for your comments. There’s an art to juggling, isn’t there?
Thanks, Jamie, for letting me visit on a subject that is near and dear to my heart!
I love this topic. I’m so blessed to have such wise friends!
Social media is a distraction and time suck for me. But on the flip side this is one of the ways I connect with prospective readers. Balance is hard to maintain.
A consistent walkablock (as my family calls it) is paramount in energizing me physically and creatively.
Thanks for your words of wisdom Judy!
There’s just something about being alone with your thoughts, isn’t there! I find when I get in the car to drive (I have the classical station on, so no temptation to sing along) some of my best ideas come.
I have to say, I’ve never learned time management quite as effectively as I have this past year. Between surgeries for myself and my husband (his was planned, mine not so much), having a baby, having a workout/running plan for a half marathon next year, one kid in kindergarten, one in preschool, several community volunteer activities, writing, family, church, work (I added a job in the mix this year), housekeeping, and just generally getting some sleep at some point,
I have to take a deep breath after writing that… 🙂
On top of all that, there are the little things that pop up and take me by surprise. I’ve had to say no to so many things and yes to others out of necessity. However, I’ve coveted me time so much this year, that I finally sat down and did a calendar, daily, weekly, and monthly. I also included short and long term goals…including my writing goals.
It’s amazing how much I can get done when it’s all down on paper. I hated lists–before I HAD to make them. Now, I am not certain how I survived without them…even if I still break out in hives every time I fill another slot on the calendar. 😀
Oh, Sarah! *I* had to take a deep breath after reading it! But seriously, I couldn’t survive without my calendar/daybook (a habit I have had since my 20s when I discovered the DayTimer company). When I was younger I would hyperventilate if I was more than 5 feet away from it, but I’m better now. 🙂
The one thing I learned was the importance of taking care of myself (I was a single mom), in every way, though primarily emotionally, since that was what I lacked most. For that I HAD to plan “me time.” On paper. 🙂