We are the most creative and productive during the first four hours of our day. It makes sense to arrange our schedule to accommodate that.
Put your creative work first
It may mean you get up to write an hour before your family starts their day. It may mean you don’t schedule any appointments until afternoon. What do you need to do in order to be the most creative person you can be? Silence, contemplative time, brainstorming, brain dumping, mind-mapping, writing from your heart? Write down three things you need/want/desire when you do your creative work. I need silence and no interruptions. My burning ideas come the momoent I get up. The minute I complete my morning spiritual practice I rush to my computer to capture them. I sit down to write and let the ideas flow. Creative work can be planning, executing, editing, organizing, and plain ol’ day-dreaming. Creativity needs time. In studying my own work habits it turns out that I like immersion – spend three days writing the first draft of a book or course, spend two days figuring out the technical aspect of podcasting. Examine your work habits and honor them.
Put your reactive work second
Jame Clear was the person who showed me the concept of “Manage your energy, not your time.” He said, “put your creative work first, reactive work second.” The word “reactive” really resonated. With reactive work you don’t have to think, you don’t have to create, you simply have to respond. The stimulus comes from outside, not inside. Reactive work does not need the same tender care that capturing ideas does. Emails, social media, and incoming phone calls are all reactive. They interrupt your desire for focus when you are creating. It makes sense to arrange your schedule to let your reactive work come later in the day.
What would you do with two hours of uninterrupted time?
Just watch your smoke, right? Then why not arrange your schedule to honor that. Schedule your creative time when you are at your peak. Save the reactive stuff for later.
To Sing a Deeper Song Consider:
How Are You Harvesting Your Crop?
Are You Making The Best Use Of Inner Time?
