Summertime Productivity
Structures #58 ©2006 30" x 32"
For the second summer in a row I find myself being extremely productive in my studio while the rest of the world relaxes on the beach with a trashy novel and a beer. Last night I put the finishing touches on my 20th completed piece for the year, 7 of these completed in the last 4 weeks. I feel a bit out of sync with everyone else but I’m thoroughly enjoying myself.
I was thinking last night about why I am so focused.
This is what I came up with
- There is no morning rush to be out the door at 7am to get the kids to school. I still get up at 5:30am (with no alarm clock) but spend the time from 6-8am in my studio working before leaving for the day job. That’s an additional 10 hours in the studio each week that I don’t have time for during the school year.
- I seriously cut down on the amount of time I spend on my computer doing nothing. I’ve decided to check my email only a few times a day. I don’t check my email at home very often at all anymore and just a few times during the day at work. If I have art business tasks to complete via email I write down my list of items to do on the computer before turning it on. Once I complete the items I do my best to turn it off again right immediately. I’m stilling working on this but in the past few weeks I’ve really gotten much better.
- I’m slowly whittling down my inbox and my goal is to have no unanswered emails leftover at the end of each week. Shuffling through the same old emails over and over again and not answering them, as I normally do, is really quite silly. I unsubscribed to almost all of the large email groups I used to belong. Reducing the computer time not only frees up more time to do other things but it also frees up a lot of energy. I was feeling very bogged down by the sense of commitment I felt to the 60-80 unanswered emails that never seemed to go away. Over that last month I’ve slowly worked that number down, currently at 23, and by the end of this week hope to hit 0 for the first time in, well probably 20 years (I started reading email in 1984). It feels great!
- I have been to Arizona four times since Christmas, plus a trip to Kansas and the 2 weeks in Ohio in May. Right now I just want to be at home. I’ve had enough travel for a while and am really not envying anyone’s vacation.
- I’ve been listening to a lot of books on tape while in my studio doing the quilting portion of my art (I find it hard to listen to books while I’m designing the work but the quilting is a much more meditative process that doesn’t require a lot of difficult artistic decisions). I’m mostly listening to what I call modern american trash. The beach reads. They are fun and they keep me glued to my studio chair waiting to hear what happens next.
- I’ve started spending more time relaxing, watching movies, playing games, working in my yard and just hanging out. In setting aside some down time it has energized my desire to focus and work hard during the time I do have for the studio.
The above piece is one I finished last year. I have a few related pieces that I will show over the next few posts and then provide more of the story on the work.
I haven’t photographed the new work yet but it will appear once I get to that task.
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist, Motivation
Wanda S. Hanson said,
July 17, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
Congratulations on finding the rhythym that makes you productive. It sounds like you exchanged the worry time for relaxing time.
Angela Rockett said,
July 17, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
All excellent focusing tips.
Patty Altier said,
July 18, 2007 @ 5:51 am
Well done in getting so much accomplished. Sounds like you are learning to say no to those things that get in the way. I am still working on that. People bring me alterations (I can still use the extra money) and it is hard for me to say no. Then I procrastinate and drive myself crazy because I really did not want to do the alternation in the first place, but I couldn’t say no. I really like Structures #58 - the rhythm of the lines and the blue fabric - very cool. It is a good feelilng to get a UFO done. You have inspired me to get a list going today and make a plan to get all those pesky alterations done so I can work on my quilting!
Kathleen Murphy said,
July 18, 2007 @ 7:06 am
I just happened to visit your blog, it is next to mine in the ring, funny how that works. I have been feeling like I am not using my time well, with the kids home from school. Your list of small changes is a great way to get me focused. RE: books on tape, have you listened to “I feel bad about my neck” by Nora Ephron? It is a riot!
Nancy said,
July 18, 2007 @ 8:11 am
I absolutely love this post. Thank you for sharing how you are staying so focused. Eleminating all that computer time has to be very freeing to a person … I need to cut back also and spend my time in a more creative way. Again, thank you.
cynthia said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:44 am
“I seriously cut down on the amount of time I spend on my computer doing nothing. ”
I think I need to follow suit here and just plain sign off- it would free up so much more time!
Maggie said,
July 18, 2007 @ 2:04 pm
Brilliant suggestions for cutting down time on the computer. I too am really trying to cut down on my e-mail time. I am reluctant to stop my blog surfing all together, as I find some really inspiring ideas to help stimulate me. Thank You for sharing your thoughts. Best wishes
Maggie
Lisa Call said,
July 18, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Maggie - I’m working on changing my blog surfing habits. I read a lot of blogs (more than I have in my sidebar) and it does take a lot of time. I’m not willing to give up reading but I think I’m going to cut down on how often I read. Batch up the reading instead of a few here and there.
Kathleen - thanks for the book recommendation - I’ve put it on hold at the library. I can always use good book recommendations.
Everyone else - thanks for the comment. I hope you all are focusing on what makes you happy also.
Diane Clancy said,
July 20, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
I am glad that you are figuring out what works for you! I too enjoy my blogging time - it helps me feel connected and I enjoy reading what people say. But I am sure trying to get that in box under control!!
~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog