How Creatives Can Increase Productivity In 2021
If you are a creative entrepreneur such as a photographer, writer, or designer you need to improve your productivity in 2021.
Many of us are busy, however, busy is not necessarily productive. Productivity moves us forward to grow our business allowing us to do what we love to do for a living.
This week’s podcast is about Productivity – check it out: Show 476 – How To Be A More Productive Creative.
My Secret Productivity Tool
During my days in art school, I was encouraged to use a sketchbook. Unfortunately, being in the photography program, I was not very good at sketching, unlike many of my peers.
Eventually, I started writing in my sketchbook, thus turning it into a journal. Over time, I discovered that I could use my journal to set goals, organize my thoughts, and plan ahead. This made my days, weeks, and months more productive. I’ve continued to write in journals for the last 30 years.
If you are interested in Journaling, below is a video about 11+ ways you can use a journal to improve productivity or just for fun.
80/20 Rule
I believe understanding the 80/20 rule is helpful to improve productivity. The general idea is that 20 percent of your activities tend to produce 80 percent of your results.
When you apply this concept to your life you can figure out how to best use your time and resources. You may have to log your activities (in your journal) for a while. If you’re honest with yourself, you will discover the real activities and tasks which help you reach your goals faster.
Outsource
As you make note of the things that move you forward, you will discover items that waste your time. You need to create and find new customers for your creations. However, accounting, cleaning your workspace, repetitive tasks, and random activities may be better off in other people’s hands.
You don’t have to employ a full-time assistant, you can hire freelancers or companies to take care of unproductive activities as needed.
Say No
Lean to say no. You must prioritize your activities. When you say yes to everything you are living your life at the direction of outside influences. Say yes when you have time, it’s something you want to do or it fits with your business and life goals. Otherwise, a friendly no is required.
Systems Help
When I talk about the Combination Code, I actually have a code 7,5,3,1. The 3 represents processes. When you focus on improving your processes, they often become more effective and efficient.
You have many processes to consider:
- Creative process
- Pre-production
- Post-production
- Sales process
- Marketing process
- Hiring Process
- Social Media process
- Follow up process
If you think about it, you most likely have more life and business processes than you realize. You may have a morning routine (video), or family schedule. When you develop processes and systems for your life you become more productive. You get more things done!
Most of us are one-person shops. We need to get the most out of our days. Reviewing how you live your daily life is a good start. Consider getting up a little earlier, say no more, and improve the processes in your life.
How do you improve your productivity? Let me know.