Content over Form: Get More Done by Focusing on Core Work

I hate it when I fall into a productivity trap I already knew about. Alas, learning about productivity doesn't make me perfect... darn!

Image by D. Sharon Pruitt

Within the past few months I've become frustrated with the glacial progress on a few of my big writing projects. I finally realized what was holding me up...a well-known foe I've seen many times in many forms, something I call pretending to work .

A blend of toddler-induced sleep deprivation and writer's block were taking the blame for a good long time, but eventually I noticed that I was focusing a lot of time and energy worrying about steps that were not core tasks to the endeavor of actual writing.

In this case, I was trying to figure out what's involved in formatting e-books and making them downloadable and purchasable on my website. That's going to be very important to figure out... but really, only after the thing is written.

I'm a holistic thinker so a certain amount of upfront time familiarizing myself with the end result I want only makes sense, but I had gone beyond that. I was worrying at the subject like a child with a loose tooth, using time that could have been devoted to actually writing. Anxiety about doing something new had tricked me into wasting a lot of time without even realizing that's what I was doing.

So my motto right now is content. Writing words on a page. No more outlines, no more learning about layout or file formats right now. The frustrations of trying to figure that out will look very different when I have a tangible product that needs the structure, rather than an outline. First content, then form.

The core work of writing is to write. So I am writing. Writing content. And as I weave the words together, slowly my project is finally beginning to take shape and grow solid. I'm not much of a fan of resolutions, but in 2012 the workbook I'm finally nurturing the right way is going to leap forth from the ground and blossom.

Have you ever found yourself accidentally (or not so accidentally!) spending time on form instead of content? Share your story in the comments.

Productivity Tips for Creatives from Anne Hubben (Interview)

Creative people have their own unique time management and productivity challenges. As a creative, how can you best support your productivity and manage your time to do meaningful creative work?

Image by Jelene Morris

I’ve asked Anne Hubben, a career and life coach for creatives, to share her thoughts about productivity and creativity.

Anne, thanks for joining me here on Tame Your Time. I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas.

What are some ways that you integrate creativity and fun into seemingly boring organizational tasks like to-do lists and filing?

For me personally, it's all about the paper and pens. It seems that my most tried and true method is a combination of a To Do list in a notebook that's with me throughout my work day, post-its and whatever pen I'm loving at the moment. Right now it's brightly colored Sharpies. I've tried various apps on my iPhone and iPad, but I always go back to paper.

For people with creative jobs, what are some good ways to still find enough creative energy for non-work-related creative pursuits?

I think that’s a struggle for many creative people. Especially in advertising. The work is demanding, and often the last thing a creative person wants to do is create more when they get home. 

As a result, they tend to need to recharge more than anything. Refill the well rather than putting out more creativity. That could be exercising or whatever they do to clear their heads. Or it could be going to a movie, theatre, an art opening, listening to music, or just being out in the world taking things in.

In your blog, you write a lot about satisfaction in one area of life impacting other aspects. Do you believe that productivity systems play that kind of role in the life of a creative person?

Discipline creates satisfaction, which supports productivity. The discipline to do one's craft each day, or to do something that cultivates energy to create. It could be yoga, meditation, running or writing in a journal.

Rituals are what nurture that discipline. Twyla Tharp describes the important of ritual beautifully in her book, The Creative Habit:

"It's vital to establish some rituals - automatic but decisive patterns of behavior - at the beginning of the creative process, when you are most at peril of turning back, chickening out, giving up, or going the wrong way."

That could be lighting a candle to write or making coffee or having a meeting with your assistant. It's something that signals that it's time to work.

Can you share any favorite ways for working on a creative project when you feel stuck or uninspired?

When I feel stuck, I usually go for a walk. I'm also inspired by nature. I walk my dogs a lot and that's when I often get good ideas. I also get them in yoga.

But, the main thing is to get away from whatever I'm trying to do and stop thinking about it. I go out into the world and pay attention to what's around me.

Any tips for creative people who want to be more productive and organized?

Just that there's no "right" way to organize things. You have to do what works for you. But, stay focused and keep it simple. Creative people have to keep distractions at a minimum when they're working.

Distractions are different for everyone. Music could motivate one person while it causes another one to drift and daydream. Just pay attention to what works, including when you have the most energy. There are definitely times of day when we're all more productive and others when it's useless to even try to get something done.

I believe that practicing good self-care is critical for both productivity and creativity. Are there any types of self-care that you feel are especially important for people who spend a lot of time and energy on creative activities?

I believe wholeheartedly in some form of exercise or meditation. When I'm not being regular with these things, I simply don't function as well. When I'm regularly doing yoga, I have so much more energy and even need less sleep.

Any other thoughts you'd like to share about productivity, time management or organization for creative folks?

The only other thing I would suggest is to read Twyla Tharp's book The Creative Habit [affiliate link]. Also, I love Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art [affiliate link]. These are more for getting regular with your daily practice than organizing things. However, I think if you have a daily practice as a foundation, the organization tends to fall into place.

Thanks so much Anne!

Got your own productivity tips for creative types? Share them with us in the comments!

Anne Hubben is a career and life coach. She helps creatives find their own satisfaction—so they can go on to create lives of meaning and adventure. Learn more about Anne and her work over at The Satisfaction Quotient.

Look Within and Connect Without: Dialing Back on Social Media Use

Like many self-employed people, I work alone in my home. It gets lonely here sometimes, and I'm starting to realize that loneliness is one of the big reasons why social media can exert such a strong pull on my psyche sometimes.

Photo by theonlyanla

The social interaction is fulfilling an unmet need, and because it speaks to that need without really fulfilling it, I find myself drawn to it and yet unsatisfied by any amount of actual use.

Social media over-use is one of the biggest time management challenges I hear about from my friends and clients. It's so tempting to take a moment here and there to see what family and friends are up to, and once you're doing that it's all to easy for those few minutes to become twenty. Do that three times a day and you've lost an hour of work. Do that six times per day, and... well, you can do the math. Ouch.

If you are promoting yourself or your business online, the siren call of Twitter or Google Plus is even worse because the line between personal and business use of social media is pretty blurred. I often recommend building time for social media into the workday because for self-employed people, it truly is work as well as pleasure.

However, that business use makes it even easier to rationalize spending tons of time there. More connection, collaboration and promotion can always be done. Colleagues have limitless amounts of fascinating ideas to share. And yet, time spent on social media could also be spent on other valuable business activities. There's a balance to be found, and it's not always easy to be objective in finding it.

There are all sorts of great strategies out there for managing distraction and not procrastinating. The approach that's been working best for me lately is filling myself up. Make sure that I am getting enough time talking to people (who are not my toddler) face to face, and Facebook remains pleasant and useful for my business but some of the intense addictive allure drops away.

Loneliness isn't the only unmet need that can make social media and other distractions more alluring. Perhaps you need to relax your attention for a while and stop concentrating so hard. If so, can you meditate or take a dance break or a walk? Maybe you need inspiration or excitement. Would listening to some awesome music help? What do you really need?

Before you open up Facebook again, check in with yourself. Is this the best use of time right now? Is this what your heart and mind actually yearn for right now? If not, take just ten minutes to do what you really want to do. Give yourself over to something offline that really makes you feel good. Choose to be fully alive instead of choosing to go numb. Sometimes it just takes a few minutes of self-connection and self-care to make you more productive for the rest of the day.

Fulfilling your needs wisely minimizes temptation. It's like eating a healthful meal before going to a party where you know there will be junk food; by lovingly giving yourself what you truly need, you can avoid being excessively drawn to things that are wonderful in moderation but problematic in excess.

And now, I'm going to resolutely call my opposite-coast high school friend for a little while as my break from writing, instead of defaulting to reading Twitter or Facebook. Go me!