Work Smarter Not Harder: 5 essentials to productivity

I've lived in many homes and environments, so I've developed a few techniques to stay organized and productive.  I am a maker, doer, and creator of things, regardless of whether I live in a tiny room or a large living space.  *Note- these essentials are best suited for extroverts and those who work best in an organized mess.

 (1) The To-Do Box.  I work best in an organized mess because visual reminders help me to get the job done.  Any supplies needed for each project are with the paperwork, printouts and notes associated with it.  Whether it be going through lesson plans or working on painted commissions, I know where to go to find everything I need to get started.  There was nothing more frustrating for me than to drag out supplies, paints, etc. as I needed it and have to put it away.  It discouraged me from continuing on with a project or inspired to even start it.  So, this is my "To Do" box, which has recipes, art show cards, event reminders, gifts or costume materials I need to work on, library books to go through, a few art supplies I should get some experience working with and written notes. I try to go through the box after work when I get around to it and make sure the whole box is emptied every weekend so nothing goes unfinished.

(2) Work with a friend.  Surround yourself with productive, happy, inspired people.  Have artists and musicians in your life. It helps to get a project going when a roommate, a friend, or my husband is doing something in the same room with me.  While I benefit from being alone sometimes, I work best in a collaborative setting; listening, talking, asking for advice or getting input.  My cat likes to be my partner in crime when I'm making things, but he gets a little too curious when I use scissors or glue...  human partners make better collaborators and motivators in my opinion.  (Notice the dry erase calendar- it helps! I keep my ICal updated, and fill in the week's schedule).

(3) Set up your environment so it's ready to go.  Make sure your stereo or pandora are ready to go at all times, so it's only a few steps until you have music flooding your creative space. There's always local music playing when I'm working. Groups like like Bone & Marrow, The Porchistas, Mad Feather Group, Accidental Seabirds, Karmic Juggernaut, The Creeptones,  No More Pain, We Used to Cut the Grass,  Tara Dente, and a few others help me focus when I'm working. You need good light too- and I'm very happy with my Ottlight for Joanns with a bendable neck.  If you don't have hard wood floors, invest in a thick foamboard or some kind of large, flat surface that you can cut into or get messy. Before you leave for your day job, prepare an area in your living space with all the materials you need, so when you come home, you can get started right away. 

(4) Label and color coordinate! Use visually interesting labels and containers. When I say my supplies are out, I mean they're labeled and organized and never out of reach when I need them.  Some of my labels are watercolored and hand lettered, then adhered to drawers or containers. 

(5) Pace yourself: force yourself to take a break.  Whether it be a commission, something sewn, painted, or prepared in some way, it's best to come back to it with a fresh perspective.  I take some time to cook something, or clean up my space.  Sometimes I'll cook up an acorn or butternut squash, soup, or something else that needs time to cook so I can prepare it, cook it, go back to whatever I was doing, and eat an hour or so later. You get two breaks and allow yourself time to come back to your project. It's good to stretch, take a bathroom break and give yourself a chance to do something else.  I just make sure I leave the project out so it's not a pain to go back to it.. otherwise you're making room for procrastination. 

If you're a busy person working on multiple projects, set aside different spaces, or even work stations, so all your materials are together. Musical instruments in one area, adhesives in another, papers in a specific drawer.. you get the idea. 

Kabbage asked me to write this post, an online provider of small business loans.  Kabbage has funded millions to help small businesses grow and succeed, and they look to bloggers like myself to discuss our tips and tricks for staying productive.  I hope this post helps to inspire you to determine what strategies you use and if they're working.  If there's a way to improve, then make a change. Life is too short to stay stagnant.