I’ve been reading a lot about the idea of creating a creative routine or at least capitalizing on the times in the day/night that we have the most energy for our creative work. After being a creative director, designer and program director for over 20+ years I have started to finally realize when I am most able to tackle the creative aspects of my work. I know. I’m a late bloomer. The reason this is so important is that I often don’t do it and use my prime hours answering email or doing routine things that would be better suited for when I’m less energized.
It may seem harmless to go check your email or post something on Facebook while you are in the midst of a creative project, but studies have shown that it takes 20 minutes to get back on the flow of what you were doing. 20 minutes!
I know that my best writing time is in the morning between 8-10AM. I can write more later, but this is when I am freshest and if I can get 600 – 1000 words in right then I will be able to relax a little into my day. My best design time is after 11AM. I don’t know why this is, but I suspect I have gotten the left brain writing out of the way and then I can quickly and almost effortlessly design almost anything. My worst time for anything – design, meetings, talking on the phone, answering email is 3PM. I have the typical 3PM slouch. I’m tired and I tend to not be at my best. My best bet then is to eat some protein, do 15 minutes on the elliptical and get myself back into focus.
Do you have a creative routine for your work? #Curious
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My Creative Routine
What does all of that mean? I’m starting to create blocks of time, actual appointments on my calendar, where I block off the time to do those specific things. That means not having email open during those prime times and not having any social media open either. This doesn’t happen everyday, because I have commitments, meeting and appointments that happen between some of my best working hours. That’s ok. I’m not trying to be rigid, just secure the time when I can.
You say you can’t schedule your time like that because you have to be available. Here’s the thing. Email isn’t meant to be answered immediately unless you have a job where it is. Most of us can take 2 hours to actually work on work and then go to our email. And Facebook can be scheduled and looked at in blocks too. You don’t have to live in it.
Honestly, no one is expecting an immediate answer unless you work for an airline and folks are complaining like rabid dogs on Twitter. Most of us, in creative work, can actually have stretches of time to do the work. And here’s the best part: If you put it on your calendar you can just let someone know you were busy, during that time, but you are available now. That’s it. People get that you aren’t available 24/7. If it’s urgent they will text you or call and let you know. I promise!
If you are trying to write a book, paint a masterpiece, develop a new product, write press releases that matter, create a brand – whatever it is – you can’t do that by being interrupted constantly and you can manage those interruptions. You have the ability to take control, which seems scary and counterintuitive to this connected world. If we want to do our best work we have to carve the time out for it.
So, how do you work best? When do you work best? What are you doing to protect your time? I’d love to talk about it with you and hear what is working and where you might be stuck. I’d also like to know what blocks you have to building a schedule that actually fits your work. Let’s talk in the comments about creating our own routines.
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