Guest Author - Debbie Striker
Do you know when you are most creative? What part of the day are you at your best? Is there a time of the month when you are going strong and another time when you have to really work to get things moving?
A few things to pay attention to:
Days of the week:
What day or days do you seem to get the most done? Are there certain days that are easier for you to get in the swing of creating? How about particular days that you seems to always get distracted or seem to need to be working more on your every day “to do” list? Knowing what day or days are best suited for your creative endeavors allows you to schedule important client meetings or other artistic activities when you know you’ll be at your best.
Time of day:
When you first wake up in the morning, are you refreshed and ready to jump into anything or do you need your first cup of coffee (or three) before you are ready to even think? In the mid afternoon, are your creative juices flowing or would you rather have a nap? For a lot of artists I know, myself included, night time is their time to work. They function much better if they can stay awake until 3 am working in the quiet hours when everyone else is sound asleep.
Weather and the Seasons:
The changing seasons can also be influential on your creativity. In the spring time the weather is getting warmer and the flowers are blooming. For some, this is an extremely inspirational time of year. For others, this time of year fills them with the desire to get outside and plant things, so indoor activities are less appealing. Winter time can mean long hours in the house, which can give you some extra time to create or make you want to just warm up by the fire and read a book.
Every person is different and the types of creativity you are working with can also be effected by the above mentioned items. For instance, if you really enjoy drumming, the middle of the night may not be the best time to engage in practice if you have close neighbors or family members who are trying to sleep.
Paying close attention to your own unique ebb and flow can not only help you understand your patterns, it can also help you be more productive and enjoy your work more! When you know what times and moments are most likely to be creative, is a great step in helping respect your creativity. It allows you to make better scheduling choices and make the best out of the time you have.
