Two To-Do Lists: My Tricks & Tips To Staying Creative
Each day when I awake, I have two "To Do" lists that swirl around in my head.
The first list involves the essentials that I must do every day:
- working out every morning, 7 days a week, for 1.5 hours
- getting kids off to school
- cleaning the house, which includes all of the usual chores that come along with managing a family of 5 & keeping in check a touch of OCD in regards to keeping things neat & orderly (Steve does tons before he leaves for work, so the chore list is very evenly split, which rules)
feeding the animals- work-related tasks for my business: emails, sending invoices, listing new auctions on eBay, writing new ads for next day, packing orders, weighing packages for post office, leaving feedback, inventory/ordering, etc.
- visiting/responding/updating on social networking sites
- grocery shopping if needs be (living vegan requires 3-4 shopping trips per week for our family; due to eating so many fruits/veggies/raw food/things that need to be fresh)
- picking up kiddos from school
- making sure they do homework
- shuttling them around to various activities
- preparing dinner
- numerous other tasks that I know I am forgetting to list.
My second list is the one I feel like I am allowed to start once the FIRST list is under control, and this one is my creative version, which includes:
- writing blogs for this site
taking photos- working on my book projects
- drawing
- writing poetry
- finding ways to improve my website
- baking
- playing my bass guitar
- reading
- making videos
- working on the Cupcake Continuum Project
- etc.
...basically, the FUN stuff that not only requires time to squeeze it into the daily equation, but also requires that I FEEL creative. Sometimes this part is tricky. It's especially frustrating when I get to a point in the day when I am READY to work on List #2 and then sit at my computer and say, "Ok, you have a moment... now what?"
In other words, creativity doesn't always flow when you want it to. Maybe you have felt this too? It seems you have ideas galore when you don't have time to get to them and then you do and BLOCK - BLANK - UGH!!
So in order to zero in on ways to help in that department, I thought I would list methods that assist me when I get stuck in this very predicament.
- Stop and think about who I love, what I love, and what makes me happy.
- What message do I want others to hear, learn and think about?
- I have learned over time that not every project will generate pefect results and that it's better to just try to dive in and do my best.
Visit sites that I derive inspiration from. Sometimes they are a perfect kick start to getting my own creativity in gear.- Make lists. Write things down. I constantly have ideas pop into my head throughout the day and if I don't record them SOMEWHERE they totally escape me when I need them; so I try to write them down (or I often text myself) so I can refer to them when I need to.
- Daydream. Sometimes escaping to another world does wonders for becoming innovative when I snap back into reality.
- Listen to music (or don't listen to music). I almost always have music on because I find it inspiring, but once in awhile I need to REALLY concentrate and find that my focus is better with a quiet environment. The latter isn't as common, but sometimes I just need to zone in.
- Read quotes. I am a total quote lover (as if you can't tell from my site). I own SO many quote books, it's ridiculous. Cracking one open and randomly turning to a page is sometimes all I need to reflect, refocus and go forward.
- Make sure that I am having fun. Creativity should be enlightening and enjoyable - not a task. If I'm not happy while I am doing it, I know I need to move onto something else.
At times, even utilizing one of these methods still leaves me stymied, but I have found that they can be effective when I am in the right frame of mind.
What about you? What do you do to get creative?
Send me your tips... I might need them to attack List #2.
Digital Art by dementeddesign
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 9:12AM
Reader Comments (13)
I know exactly what you mean here Jinxi. This happens to me all the time and I get frustrated. Your tips are really good ones and I will try to use them next time it happens to me. Thanx.
man ..... you have a lot to do every day, girl. we are glad that you make time to write blogs. i find a lot of inspration from them. goooooo jinxi
Jinxi,
You work out every morning?
What is your regimen, if you don't mind me asking?
This is a great list of tips.
Much appreciated.
Ronda
Thank you for the kind comments, everyone!!
@ Ronda, Thank you for asking about my workout time. Well, it varies a little every day, but I do a mix of pilates, weights and resistance band exercises; followed each day by a 10-mile bike ride on my stationary cycle. I <3 my bike!!
The only time I don't do this is the day AFTER a tattoo session when I am trying to heal the tattoo and as much as I love my tattoos and want to take care of them, woah, I feel like something is "missing" if I don't put in my exercise time in the morning (LOL).
Winx, Jinxi
Wow,
Just as my life is at a dead end and all the good sucked out of me you have, again, given me hope Jinxi! Thank you
I have a million ideas swirling around my head, which although can be good when my bi-polar is at bay and all is good with the world; when things are bad and the world is being a scary place the creativeness gets locked up and only teases of images and ideas are let free.
I think I may have to keep a to do list for those moments of non clarity to work upon in moments of clarity.
Today though I have come up with two images just by jotting on an old notepad when the fragmented ideas come, and that is due to flicking through 'A Dummies Guide To Cognitive Behvioural Therapy' when in a coffe/book shop. Then you say the same thing but elaborate on it, spooky or what!
Thank you good friend and I bless the day we happened upon each other
I have no idea how you do it all! I would go BONKERS!!! You should have a cape or something.
I thought I was the only one who texted themselves for reminders! I find just emerging yourself into something creative, if you feel like it or not, will ultimately bring out some creativity in the end. Sometimes I know I should be working on a painting but just don't feel the motivation or creativity flowing. So I just go and sit in front of the canvas and start to doodle, next thing I know I am rockin' out to music and totally into a painting. They are not all masterpieces. Sometimes it is just the process of getting my creative juices flowing. I do this with a lot of things besides painting. I even do it with cooking which can be plenty creative. If you just start something you normally enjoy before you know it you are into it. Even better, try something new and see how long it takes to get hooked. I am now an embroidering badass! hahaha much love Jinxi xoxox
Right now I'm on a vampire movie kick and they are really giving me a lot of inspiration.
You are one amazing woman.To make time to do all this, and raise a family too, is great.Sometimes I find it hard enough to find enough hours in the day to take care of my 5 year old.That can be an all day job.I commend you for your awesome outlook on life.Wish i was half as positive as you.
Here's a tip o' mine:
Sometimes if I feel like I'm creatively constipated, I use the internet or some books (with pictures) to take off to another country. I'll look at a video on youtube of the gay pride parade in Paris, France - a renaissance faire in Germany - fashion shows in Harajuku districts... and if that for some reason doesn't help...
I learn how to make a new craft. The other day I learned how to make a tropical bird that hangs off the end of a glass - out of a cocktail straw. The internet's pretty awesome!
- K r i s t i
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Margaret
http://guitarlearntoplay.net
JInxi I am of few words today but wanted to tell you I admire and love ya!!!! I need to workout my butt every day!!!!! You rock :)
Sorry for my bad english. Intresting title. It attracted me to read the complete post. Thanks