My, how time flies! It’s already the third issue of the Good to Know project [to purchase a copy, please head here] and for this round, we asked artists/illustrators and designers on a most timely topic:
How do you manage your time? What’s your secret to tackling the mountain of work that never seems to end?
We’re giving away TWO COPIES of the issue when you tell us how YOU manage your time in the comments below! Closing date for entries is next week Monday (13th July 8pm PST), and winners will be emailed!
Oh, and there’s a freebie for this issue too — I thought that people might benefit from a to-do list that I keep myself, so I drew up an instruction sheet + a printable template for you to make your own. Download the tiny jotter pack!
You can also pick up a copy of the latest issue in the wee shop, and see all our past issues here!
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Huge thanks to the artists who came along for this issue:
Kerry Lemon, Rob Bridges Illustration, Ilaria Benedetti, Katie Green, Amy Cartwright Illustration, Suzan Choy, Suzanne L. Vinson, Shawna Stobaugh, Rachael Amen, Keeki, Cathie Urushibata, Lauren Denitzio / Black & Red Eye, Lindy Gruger Hanson, Laura Jones, Susan Schwake, Kathy, Katherine Quinn, Emily Walsh, Iris Mesko, Sue B, Jen Lambein / Studio Petite, Candace Jean Andersen, Jo Cheung, Dawbis, Justina Klybaite, Sam, Dolores, and Julie Green!
UPDATE 14 July
Thanks so much for entering! Winners will be announced very soon later today, and will be informed via email!
Oh, I wanted to contribute, but I guess I’m not so good at managing my time! I’m sure I should read this issue! I seem to just plug along day by day, but I am sure I could be more effective. Cheers Amy for all you do to inspire us all!
I am a list person.. though I think I spend too long making them and then run out of time to actually do anything on them! Love the notebook download… thankyou!!
I had an epiphany a while back that I can no longer say to myself “I wish there was more time,” because there is always more time! No excuses. I make a schedule based on deadlines, both personal and for clients, and follow that. If I wake up and decide I would rather paint today than work on a client project – then I paint for a few hours, and then go to the project. It gets the creative energy a-flowin’, and then the project for my client benefits from that. And now I see that I have time to download the ‘notebook’ and fill it out 😉 Thanks!!
How do I manage my time? I don’t. I work on the Power of the Last Minute 😛
There is a piece of software – Boss something – which times you in short bursts of your choosing and gives you breaks. So you work for 10 mins, rest 2 mins, work 10 mins, etc. I’ve gotten a lot of work done this way.
yeah…. working on that “time management” thing! Lately I’ve been using my iphone’s calendar to make to-do lists, and I plug anything undone at the end of the day into the next day’s list. Lists lists and more lists!
I’m a total list maker. Once I complete something I feel so accomplished it makes me want to do more. But there are always those days when nothing seems to get done!
I have little note books all over the place with lists in of things to do…I often lose a book for a while and pick up another one. I love notebooks and it’s always nice to meet up with a long lost one full of all my scribbles and good intentions even though I didn’t get round to doing all the things in it I was supposed to. But at least they got written down! Eventually everything gets done one way or another. Looking forward to making this little note taker to add to my pile!
Oh, that to-do list is cute! Maybe it would help me manage my time better; I am currently very bad at it.
To do lists are amazingly helpful… when you follow them! I need to work on the latter. 🙁
Finally a little booklet that has all the answers to my problems. Thanks Pikaland!
Notebooks for major projects. Short-term and long-term lists.
definitely making lists and leaving myself notes. we keep notebooks and pens all around our apartment, so one is always within reach.
I always make little lists… and then lose them. I think the process of writing the list makes me organize my thoughts though- that’s the hope anyway!
Although I dislike routines, it is “key” in order to accomplish what would you like to be done in your day. I like to write all the things I have to do in a paper (to do list), on the side I write approximate hours I think I will spend. I choose random papers or if I have my agenda on hand, I use it. I like to keep it simple, that’s why I love this “Handy to-do” list!! crossing fingers*
-Marjorie Ann
i LOVE pickaland!
oh, time management….
i am thrilled to read that i am not the only one who struggles with time. i have been the lover-of-the-last-minute my entire life. WHY??! it only causes me panic and misery! i am resigned to thinking that it is brain chemistry. but, i love the idea of downloading the little notebook and making lists. maybe i will start that today! wait, if only i had time… ; )
i love writing lists, the only problem is i write too many. i never seem to find my post-it notes at the right moment, so my lists are normally written on any thing and everywhere… back of envelopes mostly.
i’ve realised this is a pretty bad way “to-do” things. so i have started using the stickies application on my mac. one big problem… you miss all the fun & pride of crossing out the things you’ve managed to do!
i think my next stage is to use stickies for VIP to-do’s and use a lovely note book to keep all my lists in order.
To prioritize daily I ask myself a couple questions:
1) Did I promise a client, a friend, a family member, myself or a spouse I would do this today? If so, then do it.
2) If I don’t do this will it disturb plans or goals? If so, then do it.
3) For everything else…..‘if I don’t do it, will it form a crack in the space-time continuim? If not, resume nap.
Amy – many thanks for your wonderful blog and freebies, and mailing list, and work..this is fantastic! I manage my time by keeping one desk calendar handy where I can scribble and erase, mark off, and update each day of the month. I find that if I see it daily, and have the ability to cross out things, it’s so satisfying. If I do have something major coming up, I make a to-do list and keep it right next to my mouse pad. Crossing off is my big time-managing pleasure. Thanks again!!
I’m a big-time list maker. I have whiteboard markers stashed everywhere around the house, so I can jot things down on whiteboards or mirrors. I use post-its everywhere too.
ohhh amy!!! so much fun!!
I never replied to this call out because I don’t really manage my time. Very bad at it, I think. My to do lists are are virtual, Stickies and eternally open tabs in my browser.
Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing what others have to say.
you guys are amazing.
and that notebook is just the best.
well done on another excellent issue!! 😀
My philosophy to time management: Don’t. Hahaha. Do everything. Or at least try.
It’s not really so much an intentional philosophy (which makes it worse, of course!) as what generally carries out in one way or another.
I make general, life goals 🙂
Outlines though I sometimes get so busy it all goes out the window; my submission for this issue as case in point. LOL (Promise I will get the next one in early Amy!)
I use outlines instead of just a list. I break down what would be my to-do list, normally several pages long as I am always busy, and list all of the baby steps required for each task in an outline format. Some might be super tiny things I need to look at but it gives me a sense of accomplishment which encourages me to do more.
Hi Amy!
I love your Good to Know! 😉
I am a list person, too!!!
I start my day with plans to manage my time, but the computer sucks me in and I lose all track of time.
Lately I have been using a timer, and once it goes off I turn off the computer and work on other projects. It helps a lot, but time management is something you never stop learning.
Simple is best when it comes to time management. I use one of those big Monthly calendars you can pick up at Staples for 4 or 5 dollars and everything that needs to be addressed is written down in one place. I’ve also learned to accept that the “to-do” list simply never ends.
Loved Chelsea’s approach #3: “3) For everything else…..‘if I don’t do it, will it form a crack in the space-time continuim? If not, resume nap.”
Well, I too am terrible at time management. I feel it helps to have multiple calendars (one on my wall, one planner in my purse). And multiple alarms (regular, and phone) haha. Also, I make many lists throughout the day and always carry and notebook and pen on me. I also am a huge hand writer, I write all kinds of things on my hand despite warnings from adults when I was a kid. Other than that, waking up early if I can, sleeping more than three hours a night, and lots of coffee!!!
I keep notes on scrap paper and carry them around in my pockets.
I’m not advocating this system (it’s too easy to lose things), but it’s the one I use.
all i can say is a messy studio feels more creative to me and disorganization seems to go hand in hand with that…I have resolved myself to the fact that time management is not a gift of mine….hmm now where is my fine black pen, I think I have a deadline to meet 🙂
I like to make a list at the end of the working day of things to do the next day. Then I review it in the morning and try to follow it only for guidance and to give me focus. Then I go with the flow. It is a mixture of being organized and flexible at the same time. It works for me! Love the blog!
I wanted to participate but I’d be the last person to ask for tips on time management..
I try though. I make lists on everywhere.. I also use a Mac app called Things: http://culturedcode.com/things/
It helps me remember recurring things I have to do. Too bad it’s on my computer, which inevitably lures me to the internet and then there goes a couple hours. 😛
At work its Outlook tasks – IMMEDIATELY when an email comes in it goes to an actionable task – When an email comes in, apply the following rules: Do, Delegate, Delay (as in schedule) and Dump
My time management tip is more emotional then practical, but it really helps me a lot.
I came to realize that no matter what I’ll never be able to do everything I want to do. So instead of feeling bad about all that i haven’t accomplished in the day, I try to congratulate myself for the things I have.
It doesn’t always work, but when it does it makes me feel so much better about myself. And I find myself spending less time on worrying and feeling lost with all the different assignments.
How do I manage my time?
It is both a mindset + practical plans.
Mindset: I understand that it is up to me if I want to get my art done. People could help me with my laundry or my errands, but my art? It’s up to me. And really, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I like what I am doing — so I guess my attitude affects my mindset.
As for practical plans: I make a list. I keep a tidy + pleasing work place [no temptation to clean it up or make it better]. If time is at a minimum, I set the timer on my microwave so that I have a signal to help me judge my time.
That microwave timer also helps when there are different things I want to do [knit, read, internet, draw…]. I allow myself, say, 90 minutes to knit. Ding! Then 90 minutes to read. Ding! + so on. This way. I do not feel cheated.
Back to my list. I make just one list. Oh, I may have different little slips of paper with ideas + notes jotted on the fly – but even those slips I keep in one place. My one list helps me prioritize + keep track.
+ it feels good to cross things off my list!
I do not expect to win, Amy, as I have already ordered #3. #1 + #2 are terrific + I am happy to have them! I share my time management tips in hopes they help someone else.
Have a good day/week!
Did I not enter?
I thought I did…
Hmmm, I REALLY need to manage my time better.Although I have accomplished LOTS today, it’s all a jumble…how I need to organise my time better!
Char
Ok, so I think this says it all…my time is mismanaged, and needs desperate help.
I do write lists, but not on a daily basis, you’d think after 9 yrs of being married to Mr.List Man himself, I would have caught on!
Nope…
Char.
Well, I do get most things done eventually (usually by the skin of my teeth) so I guess I must be fairly efficient at managing my time. My main problem is time-wasting though. I say to myself every evening “right, out in the workshop by 8.30 tonight”, and by the time I’ve mooched about on the internet, it’s always 9.15 that I actually get out there…oops, I’m at it again….