Time or Task?

OK, so the question is are you trying to manage time over which you have no control or manage your task over which you have total control? Obviously, it's the task. So understand the task as much as you can.

Ask: 

• Is it really necessary?
• Is the task clearly defined? Can you break it down into more easily accomplished parts?
• Is it something you need more expertise to do? Do you need to research, read, ask someone questions before you begin? Do you need to talk to someone who has already done this before you attempt it?
• Do you need to call someone to come help? Maybe even just a friend to be a cheerleader is all you need.
• Is it something that dredges up old shit? Is it your idea or someone else's? Can it be delegated? 
• Is there a reward besides having done this task? Can you reward yourself? 

When you learn to complete tasks without a lot of mental stress, then you are able to enter your studio or sit down to write with more creative energy.  

And that's always a good thing.   

Time Management or ...

Next month, I'm giving a workshop on Time Management for Creative People at The Firehouse in Del Rio, Texas. I have a lot of fun and interesting material to present. Some is tried and true and some is new and exciting. And I have a secret to share. 

I'll share it with you now. It's simply this: it's not about time management at all. It's all TASK management, organizing, ranking, evaluating those things we have to do in order to have more time to create. Think about it. Except for the nanoseconds we lose each day since the Chilean earthquake, we never have more time. Time is always the same, twenty-four hours in a day, seven days a week. When we go on vacation, don't we have the time to do what we want, hike that trail, visit that restaurant, shop and eat? That's because those task are high on our list and enjoyable. It's working on the stuff when we get home, the have-to's and shoulds that bog us down. 
  
Curious to learn more? Check back in a few days.