I sometimes complain that I don’t have enough time. Summer break has started and the kids are at swim practice for only two hours each morning. That is a huge difference from the six hours they were at school. But I’m still feeling very productive in my work and creative projects. How is that possible?
I have more to do. When I have one straggling little project, I’m not motivated. For some reason when I have multiple projects going on it lights a fire under me. Just this morning I noticed that with each item I checked off my list, I was motivated to tackle the next item.
I’m not being pulled in a million directions. If things are busy in a few areas I can focus on them. Entertain the kids, do my work, take care of the household tasks/errands, work on my creative projects. A few weeks ago there were tons of end of year school things to prepare for and attend, etc. That made getting to the other stuff hard. Life is feeling simpler these days.
It’s the quality of the time not the quantity. I’ve had plenty of free afternoons where the most I accomplished is binge watching shows on netflix. If I have a clear mind I can be creative. Mornings are my best time. And being creative leads to more creativity.
Strike when the iron is hot. If I have any idea for a blog post or thoughts for the next issue of my newsletter, I try to embrace that and write it then. I’m most productive when I’m called to work on something than when I have to do something.
I’m more productive when time is limited. Give me an open week and I’ll struggle with when to do what. Give me a small window of time, like 2 hours when the kids are at swim, and I’ll hit the ground running.
I’m a list maker in all aspects of my life. When it comes to my creative projects, I have a general list I look at often, to make sure I’m working on all the areas I want to work on.
My Creative List
- Fabric Prints – at least one new design a month
- Enamel Pins – summer pin coming soon
- Painting
- Daily Sketchbook Work
- Writing blog posts – at least 2x a week
- Create newsletter – My Creative Collection – every other week
Marketing List
- Continue exploring having art giclee prints made
- Create a shopping cart to sell prints, etc.
- Post on Instagram several times a week
- Pin on Pinterest daily
- Include affiliate links when it works with content
How do you stay productive?
mycreativeresolution.com 
Hi, Eileen! Oh, wow – I just found out you are making enamel pieces – something I’ve done in the past and would love to do again – just need a kiln. Oh, yeah – and all of the other supplies. Must go check out any posts you have about that. Sounds like you know your habits and what motivates you well. Great plan!
Hi Cynthia! Although working with a kiln sounds amazing – I am having a company make an enamel pin from a design of mine. 😂 But I look forward to seeing you create enamel pieces!
I try to write down and keep track of things I want to paint or techniques I want to try. That way, even if I have only half an hour, I won’t waste half of it sitting there trying to decide what to do. 🎨
That is smart Carol – especially for me because I easily forget my ideas 🤣