First, I would like to say that time waste and procrastination is something I struggle with when it comes to my work. Although I have planned work for specific periods of time throughout the week, it’s as if my body simply says no, I don’t feel like it. I should have some measure of control over what I do and when, right? And, sometimes there are other factors that play a role, including worries, health issues, not getting enough nutrients, sleep or water. But, much of the time it is simply that we do not take the time to get to know the natural rhythms of our bodies. We have to get to know when we work best. For instance, every quarter, I try without fail to force myself to do work in the late afternoons or on sunny days, only to be restless and completely unproductive. I almost always traditionally waste Fridays and Saturdays because I treat myself like a forced laborer, instead of remembering the times I am at my peak. I have found that during the day, I love the light outside and want to be in it, so forcing myself to stay inside makes me feel like a child who has to stay in the house while all their friends are playing outside. Super distracting.
Here are a few things I have learned through my experience at SCAD that have helped me develop a better schedule and understanding of myself.
1. Get to know yourself
Take a look at what you do for a week – maybe journal it! Investigate for patterns. Where are you working the most effectively? When do you procrastinate most? When are you tired? What are your most energetic times? What is it about these times that get the juices flowing? How can you incorporate that finding into the flow of your life?
2. Strategize
Work those patterns like a puzzle. When do you do creative stuff best? Do you work best at the break of dawn – something about the light dawning inspire you? Or maybe your stride comes in the evening, when everything is cooling down? Perhaps you find yourself working like lightning in the wee hours of the morning? Maybe try working during these times or creating these conditions to get the most out of your time and effort. These are general guidelines; they don’t have to become the law that micromanages you, but will simply help you become more effective in your work. You can do what is effective for you.
3. Plan simply
If you make something simple, it is more likely that you will do it. I like overview schedule on Sundays to see what my week is going to look like. Then, each night of the week, I look to the next day to see what I will need to do. This helps to prepare mentally for the following day.
4. Prioritize
For life, consider: What matters most to you? What are your highest values? What do you truly want in life? For School: What is due first? Which classes come first in the week? Which has more weight in a class? For example, is the paper worth 15% of your Art History grade and the drawing is worth 25% of your Life Drawing grade? All these things matter when it comes to prioritizing your work throughout the week. I like to set 1-3 priority tasks each day.
5. Set boundaries
Don’t avoid or put off your work. Put it in its place. This is called setting boundaries – setting a place for the things we value in our lives. The things we truly want in our lives, we can set a day and time for, even if it’s only a little piece of time because you have a lot on your plate. A few years ago, I realized that the things that I don’t set a date and time for, may not ever happen, even if I would like for them to. If you truly want to do something in your life, set a day and time for it.
6. Manage tasks wisely
So, one way that we schedule ourselves wisely starts with deciding how we accomplish our tasks. Do you dedicate an hour to this task then switch to another? Or do you try to mult-task, attempting to finish things by switching back and forth (research says 40% less productive when you task switch too often)? Do you take breaks to clear your mind when you are spending a lot of time on one task? For myself, I realized I do not finish things well when I try to do too many things at once. So, each day, I like to have 1-3 things that I set to fully accomplish. That way, if I am super busy, I know that I can at least accomplish one thing. When I do one thing with all my attention for a set period of time, I get more done than trying to do 3 different things at the same time with a third of my attention. The key is to be present. Do what works best for you.
7. Follow the leader
What do the most productive people do with their time? Does your favorite writer write a sentence each morning right when they wake up? Does your favorite artist sketch outside during a break in the day? Maybe some of these hacks can work for you?
8. Make the decision to just do your work
Sometimes, at the end of the day, you must sit down and force yourself to focus on work. This strategy can actually work best, though it can be a struggle at first. But, it’s good when you put the work in because over time you can see the results of the time you have invested. A great read for motivation to do your work is The War of Art – it’s a short read but will light a fire under any creative having a hard time doing their work.
9. Be present
When you know that you are about to have the busiest quarter ever, one of the best ways to not fall apart with all the deadlines and pressures is to simply,
[A]fter all your planning, take one day at a time.
This makes you most adaptable to any shift in schedule or the burden of a busy schedule. We have the clearest mind when we are fully present, which helps us to pay attention when we are taking in information in classes, meeting with someone for some project or when we are doing something creative. Be in the day you are in and you will be able to handle what comes. Sometimes it helps me to pretend that I am in a marathon and that I simply need to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Remember that your life is an investment. You get to invest in the kind of life you want. And all the labor you put in, you will get back. So, here’s to you getting to know yourself, putting in the effort and seeing your dreams come true. Cheers.