3 Easy Ways to Organize Your Life and Boost Creativity

I know what you’re thinking. You saw the word “organize” and “creative” in the same sentence and immediately thought it must be a typo. Or perhaps the suggestions that follow will include hiring a maid, mailing your kids to grandma’s house and throwing blankets over all the stuff piled inside your house.

Actually, now that I think about it, those might not be bad ideas…

Maybe we’ll explore those options another time. The truth is, a little organization can make it easier for you to create. And a few simple steps can help you keep momentum going without being distracted.

photo by Danijel Grabovac (Creative Commons)

It is both a blessing and a curse of the creative mind to be easily distracted. Creatives often notice things that others fail to see.

Unfortunately, this also means it is easy to sit down and immediately see 27 other things we should be doing…already distracted and the work hasn’t even begun.

What can be done to avoid this?

Here are three easy tips for removing some of those distractions:

1. Remove physical clutter. Physical clutter can be anything that takes up unnecessary space in your home (or office). – excess clothing, excess children’s toys, excess purses, excess CDs, excess anything that lives in your space. Why not give the excess to someone who truly needs it? You will feel better knowing that your excess is meeting someone else’s needs. And you’ll have fewer distractions and more free space to enjoy.

2. Be Prepared. Nothing derails your creative process like having to stop to search for the computer charger or an ink pen. Tools that are used often should be easily accessible. For example, a pen cup on the top of your desk holds writing utensils. A handy notebook ensures blank paper is always available. Tools that are less often used can take up harder to reach storage space at the back of cabinets and on high shelves.

3. Schedule your creative time. Life is busy. Set aside some specific time to create or it will not happen. You must fight for that time and guard it fiercely. The easiest way to do this is to determine a routine that works for you and schedule it every day just like you would schedule an appointment. Whether it’s at 7:00 am or 7:00 pm, the key is that you are doing it. Don’t let chores or errands or other obligations steal from your creative time. Put it on your calendar and reserve that slot to work on your art.

Organization does not have to be an overwhelming task. Just a few simple steps can make a huge difference in your productivity and your ability to concentrate without distraction.

Organization is a tool – much like a calendar or calculator – that you can use to make life a bit easier. And, in turn, encourage your creative side to work freely and without distraction.

What is one area you could organize quickly that would make your creative work a bit easier? Do you have any quick tips of your own?

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