I Am November's Bitch
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 It is 8:27 a.m., and I have already made coffee, blipped some Lou Reed, read and put together some material ahead of time for Five Star Friday, written a couple of paragraphs for National Novel Writing Month, worked on the beginnings of my article today for MamaPop, have started this entry right here for National Blog Posting Month, administrated over at the Grace in Small Things social network, tweeted, wondered when I'm going to start my Christmas knitting projects, and decided that, yes, this is pestilent chest cold/sore throat/sinus pain thing I am cultivating. I'm just glad that I don't have to go sell shoes today and that I am giving myself permission to take a day away from the tail end of Mondo Beyondo.
Are you tired yet?
This is the view from my chair this morning.
November seems to be a month that I've decided to dedicate to an intense amount of creative output, and while it feels daunting and more than a little ludicrous that this seasonal depressive would choose to do this to herself, it also feels liberating. Yes, liberating. I am one of those people who finds her freedom best while under the yoke of the taskmaster that can be creative productivity. If the push for creative output is a dominatrix, I am her glad submissive.
This is going to be a loony month, and although I have my trusty cup of coffee by my side, I think I might need a little more support than caffeine. Do you have any tips for staying at task, staying awake, and staying stable when there is a lot of creative output that needs cooking?
Reader Comments (12)
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I know it sounds counter intuitive, but I often do my best work with a timer. It kind of gives me permission not to be distracted by the laundry, or Twitter, or anything for 15 or 20 minutes.
Anonymous, thanks for bringing the floating ad up. I neglected to make sure it wouldn't be here, because I've never seen it on my page. Out of sight, out of mind. I just took steps to remedy that, and I've been told that it should disappear forever within two business days.
Thanks for replying! I love you BTW, great site, great content... Thanks for getting rid of the sucker.
My word you've had a productive morning! Wow.
The only advice I have is to take breaks - focus on what you need to focus on for a certain amount of time, then take a five minute break away from it to do something completely unrelated. Works for me :)
Great list! Sounds like a satisfying way to start the day.
When I was back in school, I discovered that coffee was *counter*productive. In fact, I'm writing about that for NaBloPoMo. These days I drink more water and nibble on high protein snacks to keep myself alert and focused. I also love my timer and short breaks!
I have also used a "white board" to plot out project tasks and subtasks. Depending on how visual you are, this might be useful. You can brainstorm with pen in hand, add charts for your progress and/or little encouraging reminders to yourself.
Joy!, I've thought about getting a white board, but now that you mention, I might have to pick one up. I am visual, and I think it would definitely help me organize my thousand tasks.
I second the whole white board idea. Although I don't have room for one in my office, I find keeping a very detailed daily planner helps me. I put down when things need to be completed, and get WAY too much satisfaction when I'm able to cross off a task.
Your apartment--so nice! Your morning--so efficient!
I'm starting to feel inferior here. So what is your secret.
Seriously, I LOVE the view from your chair.
I find two things integral: unitasking (doing one thing from start to finish, without giving focus to any other tasks on the to do list) (but that's primarily necessary to counter-effect the ADD I gots), and scheduling things.
I use Google Calendar, colour-coded by type, for pretty much everything. It reminds me that I have to shower, Zoë has preschool, the blinds need dusting and I have blog posts and X number of words to write. Then when I've finished my tasks for the day, the square is empty and it makes it feel much cleaner and such.
For what it's worth, even though I too, feel crazed, I feel liberated as well by all of this expected output. Fulfilled, even.
i wish i had advice because i could surely use it. i don't stop from october to february with halloween, thanksgiving, holiday gifts being made, and the numerous birthdays (6) in january & february to make things for. i'm tired just thinking about it! maybe i'll peeking in to see what others are telling you since i need to take some kind of advice.
oh - if you like chalk boards, you could try that, too. i love chalk & their boards, personally.
Lists! I can rock the tasks when I have a list, written on actual paper, with an actual writing implement, in my own handwriting. If they are only in my head I allow myself to live in my computer for far too long each day.