Productivity Prompt: The Energy Line

This is the third in a series of weekly Productivity Prompts - quick, simple tips or practices gleaned from productivity-related books or blogs that have helped me better manage my work, my time, or move things forward.

~~~

This week's prompt is directly from Scott Belsky's book, Making Ideas Happen (p. 59 - thank you Mr. Belsky!).

Out of all of my readings it was the first time I saw a tool like this to help me prioritize my work and I swear I was downright giddy. Not only is it visual, but it's based on managing energy and the premise that when it comes to taking action and completing projects, energy is our "most precious commodity."

Called the energy line, it's a visual prompt to help determine how much energy each of our current projects should receive at any given time based on its relative importance.

For example, booking the caterer for next month's art show opening may need extreme focus today while putting the finishing touches on yesterday's painting can sit idle until next week.

Simply plunk your projects in the applicable columns and voilà... priorities visually identified!

~~~

Credits, references & inspiration:

• Scott Belsky, Making Ideas Happen, Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision & Reality. I borrowed this book from the library and within a few days it was full of sticky notes. A productivity-related book geared specifically towards creatives, it's now part of my permanent collection. I suggest you check it out.
• I also recommend that you check out the Behance Network if you haven't yet (it was new to me). Created by Mr. Belsky's company, it's a platform for creative professionals to connect across multiple industries.

Productivity Prompt: At Your Best

This is the second in a series of weekly Productivity Prompts - quick, simple tips or practices gleaned from productivity-related books or blogs that have helped me better manage my work, my time, or move things forward.

~~~

This week's prompt is where productivity meets self-care. Complete the following sentence:

"I am at my best when..."

For example, I am at my best when...

• I remember to breathe and laugh.
• I understand clearly the problem I am trying to resolve; I seek to understand.
• I release the need to control.

When we're at our best it's easier to move forward. Simple.

~~~

Credits, references & inspiration:

• David Allen, Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and Business of Life
• Julia Cameron is all about self-care while gently moving ahead with our creative dreams and projects. Though I've enjoyed several of her books, The Artist's Way and Walking in this World have had a significant impact on my life.

Productivity Prompt: Next Action

This is the first in a series of weekly Productivity Prompts - quick, simple tips or practices gleaned from productivity-related books or blogs that have helped me better manage my work, my time, or move things forward.

~~~

When feeling scattered or stymied by a particular project, whether it's writing a book proposal, crafting an email or cleaning out the closet, ask yourself:

"What am I trying to do here? What's my next action?"

~~~

Credits, references & inspiration:

• David Allen, Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and Business of Life
• The importance of a next, specific action is also a big part of Scott Belsky's approach described in Making Ideas Happen, Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision & Reality.
• An article by Trent Hamm at the The Simple Dollar that talks about taking action in the context of personal finance (another semi-obsession of mine).

Introducing: Productivity Prompts

A self-confessed productivity geek I read a lot of books and blogs on productivity; there is a LOT of information out there.

a sample of productivity-related books from my reading pile/bookshelf

Always curious about streamlining things and gaining focus where I have little, I play around with systems or processes to see what works well for me and what doesn't. Some are keepers, others fall quickly out of play.

Sometimes though, I hit a tip or practice that sticks and it ends up on my cubicle wall as a gentle reminder. Usually it's simple, easy to execute, and adds value to how I manage my time and work or my ability to move things forward.

Starting tomorrow and for the month of August I will experiment by posting weekly Productivity Prompts to share some of those sticky tips here with you, and the resource(s) in which I found them.

(Note: No doubt many of these prompts or concepts are found in resources I've yet to discover. If you have a prompt-related resource to share that's not listed, please leave it in the comments so I can check it out!)

As with everything I offer, I encourage you to take what you like and leave the rest.

Stay tuned for week 1 starting tomorrow!

On Putting IT Out There...

secure

It doesn't matter what IT is, if you don't put it out there there's not much chance of it happening right? But if you do...

~ Putting your painting/photography/writing out there, whatever that means to you, increases its chances of being seen or discovered. Keeping it hidden in your studio or on your hard drive will not.

~ Putting prices up on your Website for your art and letting people know that it's available for sale will increase the chances of someone buying it. NOT letting them know will rarely result in sales.

~ Sending that résumé brings you one step closer to getting the job. Shrugging the opportunity off as a long shot will not.

~ Telling people about your dreams and passions might result in a serendipitous connection that can help them manifest. Keeping them to yourself and dismissing them as silly will not.

~ Putting your SELF out there and authentically connecting with other people might grow your social network, deepen existing friendships or even lead to new ones. Consistently saying no to invitations or staying in your social comfort zone will not.

There are times when putting yourself out there isn't high on the priority list. I get that.

There are also times to take action or risks in the name of our dreams and goals. And micro-risks are more than acceptable! Send that email, book that coffee date, call about the rent on that perfect studio spot down the street...

Sometimes there's not a lot to lose, but oh so much to gain.

What if you gave it shot just to see what happens?

~~~

PS - After I drafted this post, a friend with whom I'd been chatting about this earlier today sent me this post from Tiny Buddha on seizing opportunity and taking chances (thank you Lala!). Check it out. Serendipity at work!