Structure for Creatives

Structure stinks. Whenever I add formal structure to my day, my inner rebel sticks out her wicked tongue and gives me a raspberry. Thbfffft!


I know that structure and routine bring freedom from worry, and yet I can't stand the thought of being tied down to a time just because I said so.
(Self parenting is even harder than parenting real kids.)
Even when I write down "make calls" at 3:00-3:30pm, I won't follow my own instructions.

If you're anything like me, you may like the "blob" method. Or you can call it "block" if you want to be all like that.
The blob method goes something like this:

1. Make a list of the stuff you gotta get done.
2. Look at your calender and identify the large and small blobs of time between appointments.
3. Pick small tasks to do during the short blobs.
4. Pick more difficult and time consuming to-do's for the bigger blobs of time.
5. If you're working on an ongoing project, just do part of it over series of blobs to get it done.

Visualize & Estimate Time
If you like to draw (and even if you don't) you can help visualize how long each to-do is going to take.
Make your to-do list for the day randomly all over the page.
Draw a blob around each task and make each blob bigger or smaller depending upon how much time you think it will take.
Now you have a visual map of your tasks and can easily identify the big ones and small ones.
Draw lines between any blobs that should be grouped together (errands, things at the computer, etc.)
Color in your blobs when you finish them. You can even color in a pie slice or an inner blob if you only get part of your task done.

This may sound a little weired to some, but the only method that matters is the one that works for you.

Non-Planner Planner

In my quest for quirky yet useful planners I always come back to this little wonder at little otsu.
The Non-Planner really speaks to my Rightie. Lefties beware... its a bit squiggly.
This is just one page. It has more traditional looking planning sections as well.
See other funky planners at the little otsu site.

Planning - Theme o' the Week

I'm a bit obsessed with planners for time management, mostly because I really stink at using most of them. Like many right brainers, I have particular preferences and most planners are made for lefties.
Lefties remember dates. Righties are more likely to remember a day of the week. I remember where the day is visually on a page (middle would likely be a wednesday)

Lefties are linear. Righties don't always think of days in a row but in chunks. (busy week, Which Monday is available)

Lefties can write in pencil (and write small enough to stay inside the lines.) Righties may want to write in colored pens to make the important dates stand out or just for more visual interest.

Lefties tend to be more consistent. Righties generally struggle with structure and consistency. So you may put everything on the calendar one week and then leave it at home the next. Or you might switch calendars often looking for the right fit.

So this week I am devoting the blog to interesting, funky, and off-beat planners that may work better for people who think Right. (pun intended)

This Chrono-notebook non-linear day planner allows you to write your to-dos and activities in a circular manner as if following an analog clock. It is a visual exercise that shows you where activities fall in the day and it's cool looking to-boot!
It will soon be available at Muji stores - home stores in Japan (and now NY City).

Organizing for Creativity

I started reading the newest SARK book and keep putting it down.
It's not because I don't like it.
It's because I like it soooooo much.
I want to slow down and savor it like a toasty warm cup of hot chocolate or a steak done to perfection.
Thank you SARK for putting your thoughts on paper for the rest of us to enjoy and use for a muse.
I yearn for my own magic cottage for creating.
And I vow to make the time to finish the colorful organizing book I have started.

I now have to organize my time so that I can create a magic cottage time/space to make it really happen.
What do you need to do in order to be able to create your creations and make your dreams come true?
Make a magic space?
Designate creativity hours?
How about form a creativity group where several people come together to be creative in their own way and hold one another accountable to be actively creating? Creativity parties! Hazzah!

-- Allison