Here I am, once again, planning for a new year - setting a schedule to guide my work. Last January, I posted my thoughts on the subject for 2011.
When I sat down this January 1st, I settled on what was basically the same schedule, but with new goals and opportunities in mind. 2011 was a transition year - and now, rather than building up a business centered on art, I have one to maintain and grow. So instead of working with an “I wish I was an artist” attitude like last year, I’m looking at an “I am an established artist and I have a lot of work to do” year!
This new perspective gives making out a schedule a renewed sense of importance. I have commissions to plan for, competitive exhibits to apply to, retail stores to communicate with, creative ideas to explore, and connections to be made. Focusing my goals and plans has affected my time management strategies as well; I have a new sense of well-being.
Every once in a while, when I’m in the middle of some project with a deadline, I ask myself: “Now, why are you working so hard, Rene?” I then answer myself: “It’s because I enjoy making art, creating items for home and body, and sharing a love of color and beauty with those around me.” The beauty intrinsic in the art keeps me motivated. Scheduling my time gives me a way to break down each goal into manageable steps.
"Teal City" by Rene Shoemaker
This is the new schedule:
5 hours working in the studio on Mondays and Fridays, 5 hours working on communications, writing, blog, webpage on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which leaves, theoretically, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday to pay attention to tasks related to the home, relaxing, reading and exercising; walking in the woods.
Don’t believe that the week goes as smoothly as I’ve outlined - it rarely works out as planned! But that’s okay, at least I have a format to guide me through the week.
There, that’s enough about me - what have you learned over the past year about time management and creativity?