Today marks the beginning of our talks about time management and being artistic.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven..."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
And that includes being artistic!
But what do you do when you don't have regular "me" time?
How on earth can you be creative when you only have five free minutes per day?
Here are a few ideas:
1. Get Yourself a Pinterest Account.
I love this site and the idea behind it!! In five minutes you can find handfuls of inspiration and organize those ideas easily!
2. Carry an idea/inspiration journal.
I'm talking about what people did before Pinterest: paper and a pen. Get yourself one of those super small {and subsequently very cute} 3x5 notebooks. Put it in your purse, the diaper bag, your desk drawer at work, etc. Then when you have an idea pop into your head, jot it down.
3. Get Up Early or Stay Up Late.
Sometimes something's gotta give. And sometimes that something is sleep.
Making time either before the kids/hubs/wife are awake or after they're asleep is often a great way to get your creative time each day without sacrificing family time.
4. Re-Prioritize Your To-Do List.
I am personally of the mindset that certain things on my to-do list - such as dishes, laundry and dusting - will absolutely wait for me to get to them. {if only my kids were as patient as the dirty laundry in the hamper. *sigh*} The world will not stop and lives will not be {drastically} changed if said chores are put off until another day. My creative time is as important to my own mental health as nutritious dinners are for my children's physical health.
If Mama's not happy, nobody's happy.
Another related topic I received a lot of comments on was:
"I have so many things I want/need to do creatively that I jump around between them all and in the end nothing has been accomplished. How can I overcome this?"
I'm no genius when it comes to time management {just ask my husband} but what I've been finding works well for me is to do the following:
1. Write down what I need to get done.
2. Then organize my list according to when I need to get those things done.
I use three main categories and have made a very simple list download if you care to use it, too:
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This tip was very useful to me.Thank you!=)
ReplyDeleteAnd this is why I carry a day planner. It's so functional. I have space for general notes...where I'll write down how to do something that I want to try eventually but not really feel rushed about. I also use the calendar to write down important events...then the daily section is used to write down themes or if I have an idea that I definitely want to pursue, I put a date on it so it ultimately creates a deadline. When people ask how I do so much, it's only because I keep those thoughts organized. Great post girl!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great list and a great chart! I'm one of those who starts 15 different things and then never gets any of them accomplished. It is incredibly frustrating. I've been trying to create my own deadlines for things because I seem to work better under pressure. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL ... I have many todo lists! One on the computer which keeps all tasks .. important ones get written down on my calendar and then the real real important ones get on an yellow sticky! I'm a bit compulsive!
ReplyDeleteLove this .... the one about something has to give :) so true.... with working out and dieting .. i have found.. that in order to do things i need to get done.. i jus simply give up a few moments of sleep! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I love Pinterest!
ReplyDelete1 I got pintrest and havent taken full advantage of it, but love the idea behind it. Going to start collecting ideas for winter time photo to do stuff :)
ReplyDelete2 I have an app called color note on my cell that I use as my journal and list keeper.... I love to do lists... but I got into a habit of losing my lists. so keeping them on my cell ensures I don't lose them since I always got my cell on me.
3 lol! But I agree with you!
4 I totally prioritize my todo lists. :)
Still after all this, I still am scatterbrained and still don't manage my time well. :)
The biggest thing though that helps me: keeping the tv OFF! I love having the tv off! I'm so much more productive and better motivated.
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! Why didn't you warn me of this one when I was whining to you today?? HA!!!! I'm going to get more serious about this..honest. It is 8:22 and all the kids are in bed and I'm ready to spend some quality time with this computer.
ReplyDelete