Wow! Thank you for this thoughtful, attentive and exploratory write up Kate—it's such an honour to be read by you. You clearly have a gift for taking things in and expanding upon them in a magical way. Here's to being day artists ✨
Interesting read! I have come to expand my definition of what I do creatively, in order to release a bit of the pressure of writing daily. If I work on a painting for a couple of hours, that counts as much as writing in my book now. My creativity is expressed, I feel content. And to expand it further, I now consider: arranging flowers in a vase, redecorating a corner of my home, or even rearranging books and other objects in a pretty style. Creativity is a way of living daily now for me, not just the text output I can produce.
I love that, Monica! I have never thought of arranging a creative space etc as counting towards a creative life, but you are absolutely right, it does! I am also trying to allow room in my day for what I sometimes refer to as ‘writing adjacent’, meaning that reading a chapter of a book that may contribute to an essay or taking a walk to think over what I’m working on, can also count as being related to my writing. Thank you for your comment :)
Wow, what an interesting and empowering read this was! I definitely need to be more mindful of the “fake productivity” trap - I often find myself busily doing things that aren’t strictly necessary, and subconsciously avoiding my creative work. This book sounds like such a good read!
A great write up. I am only on Ch 5, but I can already see small and significant changes in my productivity thinking. Great write up and thanks for not spoiling the ending :)
Really good stuff Kate! When I talked with clients about "time management", the points they appreciated most were my warning about the "tyranny of the to-do list" and the importance of keeping items OFF that list. Prioritizing importance over urgency in our scheduling. And, as you say, breaking tasks down into the tiniest (your "micro") steps. After such a presentation, people said "I feel like I can breathe!" Too bad our "modern" world keeps pushing us away from such wisdom.
As a creative dude, this tremendously resonates. I’m no ice bath bro, and I can get quite overwhelmed with all my big picture ideas. Hoping some of these tips help me ease up a little. Thank you.
Thank you, Matthew! Good to hear from creative dude’s too! I think this book will honestly resonate with anyone who struggles with getting things done (and ruminates over them). My husband (another creative dude!) is currently listening to it on audio book and enjoying it : )
Oh... this whole book and the little glimpses into your life through it! As someone who's gone through major burnout due to over-working (like many of us here in America do at some point)... I have been trying to live in a similar way for the last few years. The most important lesson for me has been about focusing on building my internal compass, doing what works for me, and not letting the strive for external validation be main driver. Easier said than done, of course.
I also do a weekly list and my items are IDENTICAL to your!!!
Kate, did you low-key share you are working on a book project??? 🥰🥰🥰
Petya! I thought of you when I was reading this book, because I so admire the way you pursue a creative and intellectual life through the curation of your reading life! I love your term ‘internal compass’ and am shamelessly adding it to my notebook right now…How funny that we share the same weekly to-do’s!!
Also…I have had several books in mind for the past couple years but always talk myself out of them because I am daunted by the idea of them…but yes! You can assume a low-key mike drop…through this book I have started (tentatively) taking teeny steps towards working on ideas that may, possibly, (no pressure) become a book!
Do it, do it. If you have a book in you, it will torture you forever if you don't write it. I can't wait to talk more about it when you are ready to share.
Thank you for this deep dive. I too struggle with getting “the thing” done and love a good organizational tool and productivity hack, only to pick up another one and waste more time 😂 I hadn’t heard of this book, will definitely check it out!
Thanks, Shannon! Me too!! I must have spent far more time reading about productivity than actually being productive...I definitely recommend this book as an alternative to those so-called "hacks"!
Glad to know I’m not the only one! I recently spent $40 on a fancy planner that has now become another item on my to-do list and basically remains untouched 😐
Wow! Thank you for this thoughtful, attentive and exploratory write up Kate—it's such an honour to be read by you. You clearly have a gift for taking things in and expanding upon them in a magical way. Here's to being day artists ✨
Ah, thank YOU, Madeleine, for the inspirational ideas! Your book is on the shelf by my writing desk and well-thumbed!
Interesting read! I have come to expand my definition of what I do creatively, in order to release a bit of the pressure of writing daily. If I work on a painting for a couple of hours, that counts as much as writing in my book now. My creativity is expressed, I feel content. And to expand it further, I now consider: arranging flowers in a vase, redecorating a corner of my home, or even rearranging books and other objects in a pretty style. Creativity is a way of living daily now for me, not just the text output I can produce.
I love that, Monica! I have never thought of arranging a creative space etc as counting towards a creative life, but you are absolutely right, it does! I am also trying to allow room in my day for what I sometimes refer to as ‘writing adjacent’, meaning that reading a chapter of a book that may contribute to an essay or taking a walk to think over what I’m working on, can also count as being related to my writing. Thank you for your comment :)
Ohh writing adjacent activities... I love it! I'll borrow it. 😃
Wow, what an interesting and empowering read this was! I definitely need to be more mindful of the “fake productivity” trap - I often find myself busily doing things that aren’t strictly necessary, and subconsciously avoiding my creative work. This book sounds like such a good read!
I'm glad you found it useful, Kelsey! I honestly haven't come across a book quite like it before- definitely worth checking out.
A great write up. I am only on Ch 5, but I can already see small and significant changes in my productivity thinking. Great write up and thanks for not spoiling the ending :)
Thanks! I'm glad it was a good recommendation for you.
It sounds like a book I could savour. Thank you for the write up.
You're welcome, Julie! It's one I will be returning to.
Really good stuff Kate! When I talked with clients about "time management", the points they appreciated most were my warning about the "tyranny of the to-do list" and the importance of keeping items OFF that list. Prioritizing importance over urgency in our scheduling. And, as you say, breaking tasks down into the tiniest (your "micro") steps. After such a presentation, people said "I feel like I can breathe!" Too bad our "modern" world keeps pushing us away from such wisdom.
Excellent advice!! I think there's often a kind of “kudos” attached to the idea of business, unfortunately.
Very interesting. I especially liked the section on imperfection, a simple shift in thinking that makes quite a difference. Thank you Kate!
Thanks, Laura! Yes…I found the whole book contains these tiny nuggets that made me think in a different way : )
As a creative dude, this tremendously resonates. I’m no ice bath bro, and I can get quite overwhelmed with all my big picture ideas. Hoping some of these tips help me ease up a little. Thank you.
Thank you, Matthew! Good to hear from creative dude’s too! I think this book will honestly resonate with anyone who struggles with getting things done (and ruminates over them). My husband (another creative dude!) is currently listening to it on audio book and enjoying it : )
Oh... this whole book and the little glimpses into your life through it! As someone who's gone through major burnout due to over-working (like many of us here in America do at some point)... I have been trying to live in a similar way for the last few years. The most important lesson for me has been about focusing on building my internal compass, doing what works for me, and not letting the strive for external validation be main driver. Easier said than done, of course.
I also do a weekly list and my items are IDENTICAL to your!!!
Kate, did you low-key share you are working on a book project??? 🥰🥰🥰
Petya! I thought of you when I was reading this book, because I so admire the way you pursue a creative and intellectual life through the curation of your reading life! I love your term ‘internal compass’ and am shamelessly adding it to my notebook right now…How funny that we share the same weekly to-do’s!!
Also…I have had several books in mind for the past couple years but always talk myself out of them because I am daunted by the idea of them…but yes! You can assume a low-key mike drop…through this book I have started (tentatively) taking teeny steps towards working on ideas that may, possibly, (no pressure) become a book!
Do it, do it. If you have a book in you, it will torture you forever if you don't write it. I can't wait to talk more about it when you are ready to share.
Haha ok, ok, it's the dream! I love that you are working on a novel right now!
Thank you for this deep dive. I too struggle with getting “the thing” done and love a good organizational tool and productivity hack, only to pick up another one and waste more time 😂 I hadn’t heard of this book, will definitely check it out!
Thanks, Shannon! Me too!! I must have spent far more time reading about productivity than actually being productive...I definitely recommend this book as an alternative to those so-called "hacks"!
Glad to know I’m not the only one! I recently spent $40 on a fancy planner that has now become another item on my to-do list and basically remains untouched 😐
Ouch!! I feel your pain…