How to Get Your Creative Groove On is an original series by Perch. Last week we looked at how stepping back to see the big picture can enhance creativity and our approach to art and problem-solving. This week we’re tackling how to break through distraction to really get creative (and productive!).
Week 19: Zero In
Often times, the getting creative ideas is not my main problem. Instead, I find I have too many ideas and projects going to zero in well enough to bring any one of them to fruition. Instead, they remain ideas in my sketchpad or branches off my mind-map. The culprit? Distraction.
Distraction, Distraction
When I Googled “creativity” and “distraction” looking for an answer to my own problem (and as research for this post), I almost laughed out loud because so many people see distraction as a valuable tool in creativity in innovation. And it’s true – sometimes when you’ve been working long and hard on a project, distraction is exactly what is needed for creative breakthrough. Unfortunately for me, it’s typically my main roadblock.
Where’s My Pen?
So, going back to Gretchen Rubin’s sage advice to identify the problem, I’ve made a list of the top five sources of distraction in my own creative process:
- My Toodle-Do List. I maintain a list of almost 40 to-do’s, and I can never seem to knock more than five out at a time. The pressure of what hasn’t been marked off the list yet constantly has me running between projects.
- Email. This is a classic urgent vs. important time sucker. My company allows me to work from home, and since much of our communication is virtual, my email is constantly pinging about one thing or another.
- Twitter. I plan to take just a few minutes to check in and find myself losing time checking others’ links and pictures. It’s true that creativity is social, but too much social time is just distraction.
- Interruptions. Because I work from home, my interruptions are atypical of an office worker, to include persistent door-to-door salesmen and my role as Mommy to our two dogs. I get to feed them, play with them, and shush them when a bird flies by the window and I’ve just had a breakthrough. Interruptions will kill a creative spurt faster than you can count to ten.
- Research/Blog Reader. What can I say? The web is like a big black hole that sucks you in, even when you are specific about your search terms.
How to Get in the Zone
A few weeks ago I wrote about how to get in the zone and mentioned distraction, but I didn’t outline much of a plan of attack. Here are my top five techniques for defeating one of the biggest creativity roadblocks:
- Schedule time for to-do’s. I’ve been in the habit of keeping a browser window with my to-do list open on my desktop. No more!
- Schedule time for Twitter and social media. Social media is wonderful, but sometimes you have to put it in its place. I accidentally quit TweetDeck while I was working the other night, and it felt like shutting out background noise. Now I log off regularly.
- Answer email in blocks. I have been in the habit of responding to emails as they come in. However, this habit has interrupted creative flow and design time more times than I can count. Now I respond in blocks. The benefit is that I am able to give undivided attention to each message.
- Prevent desk build up. I’ll admit it – my desk tends to operate as a the family catch-all for mail, receipts, and anything that might be deemed important. Currently, it’s so covered (tax season) that I’m working at our dining room table instead. The mantra I should be following? A place for everything, and everything in its place. I’ll be correcting that this weekend.
- Make sure you have the right tools. How many times have you made it midway through a project and run out of an important supply? Quick trips to the store to pick up supplies or waiting for product delivery can really hamper a creative flow. Avoid these pitfalls by maintaing a regular supply checklist and ordering at regular intervals – and in bulk, if possible. You’ll save time and money.
How do you beat the distraction beast? Post your tips in the comments!
Related posts:
- How to Get Your Creative Groove On. Week 11: Get in the Zone
- How to Get Your Creative Groove On. Week Four: Run With a Team
- How to Get Your Creative Groove On. Week 7: Overcome Obstacles
- Get Your Creative Groove On. Week 25: Listen to the Music
- How to Get Your Creative Groove On: Week Three – Incubate
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