Tag Archives: Productivity

August 10, 2017 · 3:05 PM

A Swatter for Time Flies

Do you sometimes get the feeling that everything’s moving far too fast? I don’t necessarily mean technology, media, or time in general, though it could all certainly be included. I’m referring to your specific life circumstances. Perhaps, like me, you’ve got a goal looming ahead, and you see dozens of things that need to be done before it arrives. Just thinking of it all makes your head spin. Time flies by. If you’re like me, it’s the vagueness of those “dozens of things” that can stress me out, or as the Brits say, “get my knickers in a knot”.

When I feel that pressure building, I do three things, and I’d like to share them with you:

Make a list. Break the list down into sections – whether those sections be things like “phone calls to make” or “research” or “phase one” or “today”, you know how best to get your tasks organised. For me, my current list branches out into ten topics, each with sub-sections, not counting my list of daily tasks around the house. I’d encourage you to buy a “to do” pad or notebook pages, or make up your own and print them out; having it written out makes it concrete, and therefore manageable.
Use a time management app. I use two: “aTimeLogger” and “Clear Focus”. I’ve mentioned these both before in my article about productivity (check it out for more tips!). When I sit down to work, I put my phone into airplane mode, open these two apps, and use them to keep me focused. Sometimes I work straight through on one topic and its sections, and sometimes I break it up into several different topics that are related. Set yourself a time goal for the day, and set yourself up to reach it! The time goal of Clear Focus can be adjusted to your needs; I have mine set at 30 minutes, with a long break every 3 sessions; I also have the paid version, which adds a “pause button” – helpful if e.g. the doorbell rings (and I decide to answer it!). The time logger app can be adapted to your needs; I’ve eliminated unnecessary categories and added my own – including writing, editing, and blogging. Also, it’s practical if you’re interested in learning just how much time you spend in any given area; if you think you spend too much time on social media, log it to find out!
Minimize distractions. Several weeks ago, I removed Facebook from my list of “home page” tabs on my computer; it’s amazing how much that little decision has saved me time! It becomes a habit to check in because it’s there; out of sight, out of mind. Now, I must remind myself to go check in occasionally to answer messages. When you’re working on the computer, and you need the internet open, then minimize the distractions by controlling which tabs remain open, and make your first tab one that prompts you to write or work – a dictionary, thesaurus, etc. If you have websites you want to regularly check out, then limit that time to your 5- or 15-minute breaks (set in Clear Focus) as a “reward” for staying focused. My treat is Pinterest; it’s a place I could easily get lost in for longer than I’d like, so the time app keeps me focused there, too.

I hope these thoughts help you focus, take the stress out of the vague, and encourage you to tackle your goals, whatever they be! Keep writing!

PS: Don’t forget to sign up for my news!

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Filed under Articles, Musings, Nuts & Bolts, Writing Exercise

Tagged as aTimeLogger app, Clear Focus app, Distractions, Goal-Setting, Pinterest, Productivity, Sign Up, Stress Reducers, Time Management, Time-Wasters, writing

March 21, 2016 · 5:00 PM

To-Do or To-Be, That is the Question

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Credit: www.acceleo.com

Working at home is a double-edged sword; most people think they would love to be their own boss, to set their own schedule, to pursue their own dreams. But that’s just it: You have to be your own boss, and not let meetings, schedules, appointments, to-do lists and sundry responsibilities outside of work consume you; you have to set your own schedule and stick to it, or time will hijack it; you have to actively pursue your dream (and success usually comes dressed in work clothes), or it will never come true. It’s a lot like writing: Most people don’t really want to write a book, as they claim; they want to have written a book, and there is a vast difference between the two.

If you’re like me, you’re organized; we need to be, to keep work, tasks and schedules from eating us alive. Sometimes even with the best of intentions and plans, squirrels still come along… if you have no idea what I mean, just click on the link! To keep the squirrels at bay, I keep a book of to-do lists. I have one for my household tasks, telephones, repairs, appointments, administrative issues, etc. I have as many as it takes for revisions and the like for my current manuscript, as well as marketing lists, etc… plus writing blogs. Sometimes frankly they can all be overwhelming, and that’s where I need grace with myself. It’s times like that when having a boss might be preferable, telling me what to do next (I just have to remember the last two bosses I had, and that wistful thought vanishes pronto)!

Despite the long lists, I still need to find time and space to just “be”, and that is a challenge for me. Even when I’m sitting still, my mind’s going 1,000 RPM, percolating on a plot idea, developing a character or plot twist, thinking about what I’ll make for dinner – do I need to go shopping? – or what the schedule will be once others are home again. Leaving work at the office is more difficult when home and work occupy the same space. And, oh yeah, daily exercise would be a good idea too. I have periods each day that are what I call “limbo time” – too short or chopped up by others to dive into a larger project. I could fill the “limbo” time of my schedule with a myriad of micro-sized tasks; but I also need to learn to step back, take a deep breath or ten, and not be productive or feel guilty that I’m not being productive. Such recuperation time shouldn’t be relinquished to the edge of “micro crumbs” of time left over; it is just as important to schedule a time of rest, and should be taken just as seriously as any task, though it often isn’t (I’m getting better at it).

Some of the things I’ve learned about time management so far are:

Know how your time is spent. If you don’t, it will run through your fingers like fine sand. In my article on productivity, I mentioned a few helpful apps; they help me track how my time is being used, and it helps me to focus. Even my breaks are scheduled with the Clear Focus app mentioned.
Have a pad of paper nearby to jot down the random thoughts that come. I’ve found that jotting them down quickly helps clear my mind to focus better on the task at hand.
Schedule down-time: Take a power-nap, or do something you enjoy like sitting in the sunshine, going for a refreshing walk, or creating something crafty.
Create habits. One habit I have is a bit like “clocking in” at my desk: I set both my landline phone and my cell phone into a holder on the desk, and this little action signals to my mind that it’s “time to focus”. Another habit might be making myself a tea either before I sit down, or on a break.

How do you deal with balancing work and rest, real life and dwelling in the fantasy world of a writer? Have you developed any habits that help? Please share them below – we can all benefit, I know! The next thing on my schedule is – squirrel! – taking time to swing by others’ blogs, and be inspired. The squirrel is now caged.

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Filed under Articles, Lists, Musings, Writing Exercise

Tagged as Creative Habits, Down-Time, Limbo Time, Musings, Productivity, Schedules, Squirrels, Task Management, Time Management, Tips, To-Do Lists

January 24, 2016 · 9:33 AM

5 Life Hacks for Productivity

Let’s face it… humans are creatures of habit. That phrase often has a negative connotation; in a conference that lasts several days, people will tend to sit within a few chairs of the seats they sat in on the first day, whether they like the location or not; once a person starts hanging the loo roll on the dispenser either top or bottom, the other way is just wrong. But habits can also work to our advantage, if we form good ones: Cleaning up after ourselves should have been a habit formed in our childhoods; brushing our teeth, pushing a chair in after we leave the table, and dozens of other little habits are hygienic, energy-saving, and contribute to more harmonious relationships within our social and environmental landscapes.

Those of us who express ourselves through creative media (such as writing, arts or crafts) might tend to see ourselves or the expression of our craft as outsiders, or at least mavericks, when it comes to business practices. However, there are many tools (such as the SWOT) and principles for increasing productivity in the business sector that we can and should apply to our creative streaks (if the intention is to take them beyond the level of hobby to a more serious endeavour). One of those principles involves forming good habits. Below, I’ve listed five things that I do to keep my creativity fresh, and thus keep the time that I spend writing more productive than it would otherwise be (I know from experience). For practical purposes I’ll refer to the expressions from the perspective of a writer, but these hacks apply to any creative discipline.

I’ve taken the liberty of making a “cheat sheet” as a reminder of these principles; if it’s helpful for you, feel free to print it out and hang it up where you work or write.

1) Find your most productive time.

Are you an early bird, or a night owl? Or are you a late-afternoon type? Most people have 9-to-5 jobs that dictate when they have free time; but when you are looking for time to write, try to schedule it in your most productive time of the day. I am an extreme night owl; I need very little sleep and work at home, so my time is flexible; yet my most productive time of the day is between 01:00 and 04:00, with the second-most productive period being late-afternoons. I know this about myself, so I use the less-productive times to get other things done that are no-brainers (housework, shopping, etc.).

2) Use time management apps to focus your energy.

I have two (android) apps that I use: “Clear Focus” and “aTimeLogger”. The first app counts down from the time I set, with a five-minute break following; every three sessions, it encourages me to take a longer break of fifteen minutes. The second app allows me to log how much time I spend in a particular activity; I have added customized activities such as editing and blogging. I use these apps especially when I’ve got a dozen incongruous tasks on my to-do list – it helps me focus on the task at hand, thus being more productive.

3) Learn a new skill.

That may sound a bit odd; after all, it takes time to learn a new skill, right? But bear with me a moment: The current thinking of today is that one should become a specialist; the thinking goes that if you focus your energy into learning one skill to a high degree, you will be successful in it. But I have one word in answer to that: Renaissance. During the Renaissance it was considered ideal for one to pursue multiple disciplines; a gentleman of the time was expected to speak several languages, be well-versed in various scientific disciplines such as astronomy, botany, or medicine, and be eloquent with words through writing poetry, play a musical instrument, study philosophy, theology, and so on. The standard was set, and met – think of all that was accomplished, discovered, and invented during that age! Variety is the spice of life, and I find that iron sharpens iron – that one skill hones another. So take some time to learn something new; it will stir the creative juices and get them flowing much more productively than if you stagnate in specialization. And in gathering new skills, you will add to your arsenal of personal experience from which to draw on when fleshing out characters, worlds, scenes and dialogues.

4) Create a music playlist.

Spotify is a great invention! I have dozens of playlists, and depending on what I’m working on, I’ll turn on music to set the mood for a scene I’m writing (for me, it has to be just right or it can be counter-productive), or to speed me up or slow me down. Music stimulates our creative energy, and helps our minds become more curious and more imaginative. It affects our moods, and thus can influence the way we approach a particular scene or dialogue. Just for the record, as I write this, I’m listening to the album Grace by Steven Sharp Nelson (of the Piano Guys).

5) Take breaks.

This is another habit that runs counterintuitively to conventional wisdom, but being “so close to the forest that you can’t see the trees” is never a good thing; staring too long at a problem, or a blank page, will get you nowhere fast. Frustration builds, making any mental block that much thicker. Set it aside; get some fresh air and exercise, airing both your mind and body. By putting space between ourselves and the issue, we often gain fresh perspective. Think of it as a backward approach to moving forward. As Steven Spielberg advises, contemplation time is essential in the creative process – don’t fill it with brain work that distracts. Take a bath. Do the laundry. Draw; doodle; do a craft. Some of my best solutions or plot twists have come while doing a craft. By the way, crafts encourage abstract thinking, problem solving, and creative perspectives. To apply this, take a 20-30 minute break after you complete a particular element; sometimes it actually helps me to start that new element before taking a break – it gives my mind time to percolate away from the computer, yet gives me a starting point when I return to work.

I hope these hacks encourage you in developing and honing your craft. Keep writing!

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Filed under Articles, Lists, Nuts & Bolts, Plot Thots & Profiles, Writing Exercise

Tagged as Crafts, Creativity, Honing your Craft, Life Hacks, Productivity, Renaissance, Steven Spielberg, SWOT, Writer's Block, Writing Skills, Writing Sparks, Writing Tips, Writing Tools