Creative types love mind-vomiting exercises to get the ball rolling at the start of a new project, but what if they’re just developing a puking habit instead of moving on to executing their ideas?
First Things First
Don’t get it twisted, I love a good brainstorm sesh as much as the next guy, but there’s been many times where the first idea on my list was the strongest. Was it just luck?
Maybe, but those times make me think that I ought to listen to my gut more often and move on without going through the motions.
This doesn’t mean that I now blast through projects with my head down, never thinking about what the hell I’m doing.
God, no.
I just know when to move on.
Know Thyself
What I’m proposing isn’t anything mind-blowingly revolutionary — it’s just about streamlining your workflow by using a little bit of mindfulness.
If you’ve dipped your toe into the productivity sphere, you’ve heard all about the importance of achieving a flow state, using friction to minimize distractions, and following a daily meditation/mindfulness practice in order to really kick your to-do list in the ass.
Those things are wonderful ways to boost productivity and I encourage everyone to try them out, but the real benefits come when you put them all together into one sick productivity package.
A Simple Cycle
“When you consistently remind yourself of what you’re aiming for, you gain confidence that you’re on the right track.”
My creative process is a two-step cycle that alternates between execution and reflection.
That’s it.
I don’t worry about setting tomato timers and enforcing strict rules onto myself — I’m just going to break those rules anyway, once I convince myself that the current project’s more important than anyone’s smelly old rules. As long as you do the prep work and consistently put time into the project while focusing on each phase of the cycle, it’ll get done.
As someone who’s subject to crippling perfectionism and paralysis-by-analysis, adopting this process has reduced—if not eliminated—those issues through consistent reflection.
When you consistently remind yourself of what you’re aiming for, you gain confidence that you’re on the right track.
I’ve noticed that the type of project determines the speed of the cycle and duration of the phases. For example:
- Writing asks for a longer executive phase, but reflection and revision can be done in a fraction of the time it took to write whatever it is that you’re reviewing.
- Design, from my experience, is the opposite. My best results have come from high-intensity sprints followed by a long period of rest, or just doing something other than focusing on the problem. When I come back for the next sprint, I reflect upon both the execution and the rest to make sure I’m still on track.
Achieving Oneness
Maximizing your productivity, efficiency, and creativity towards a product of the Self begins with knowing…the Self.
You have to prep the ingredients beforehand if you want a frictionless, efficient cooking experience.
A keen eye looking inwards will always find a solution, as long as you’re looking for one.
Define the problem, and you’ll find a tool. Once you find it, continue to improve it according to your needs. Make it your own.
Repeat the process indefinitely, and you’ll soon find yourself with a shed full of tools.
:)
