Everyone has the same amount of hours in a day. Whether you have a lot of free time or a little, it’s important to be able to make good use of every minute.
I love to talk about productivity and making good use of what time we have. It’s something I love to learn about, experiment with, and chat with you about.
So today I’ll be tackling all of your questions about productivity. And, as with the previous posts of this series, I will provide links and resources for those questions I can’t answer.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Q: What is productivity?
A; My personal definition would be a lifestyle that cultivates motivation and an ability to make good use of time and keep up a consistent work load, whatever that may be.
Q: What do you do when you have burnout on a deadline?
A: Make things fun again. Of course, it’s recommended you take a break if you’re burnt out, but a deadline prevents that. So, try re-igniting your inspiration and motivation. Reorganize/rearrange or change your working environment, use music that gives you whatever vibe you need to focus (whether it be upbeat or calming), eliminate distractions and make sure you have clear goals. Try using the pomodoro technique and self-rewarding.
You may also like:
Q: Do you listen to music while working? If so, what kind?
A: Yes, I usually do. 🙂 What I listen to depends on what I’m working on…if it’s a story project, then I’ll probably be listening to that book’s special playlist, if it’s writing blog posts it’ll be instrumental, and if it’s just answering email and managing random things it’s probably one of my worship playlists.
Q: How do you maintain balance between writing, blogging, creating Redbubble merch, etc?
A: 1) Setting priority levels for each; the higher the priority the more time I give it and the more solid that project is set in my schedule, 2) making clear goals; breaking down my goals for the year into monthly, then weekly, then daily goals, 3) being okay when I have to let something go temporarily; sometimes you can’t do everything.
You may also like:
- Get More Done With Calendar Blocking
- Time-Management for Authors
- How I Never Run Out of Content Ideas
- Minimalist Time Management [Abbie.com]
Q: Does a productive mindset come naturally to you (specifically)? Or is it something you had to work for?
A: I think it has always come naturally to me, but got challenge and tested as I got older and life got more crazy. Then I had to start cultivating that mindset more, being more mindful about planning my work, and training my mind.
Q: What do you when you don’t feel like writing?
A: This kind of varies. If I’ve gotten a lot of progress done on writing that week already, I might give myself a break and work on whatever I feel like. But if I haven’t made good progress or I have a goal deadline coming up I really want to meet, then I’d probably just buckle down and basically do things from my answer to question 2.
Q: How do you break through writer’s block?
A: To be honest, I haven’t had writer’s block for a long time (okay now watch me get it tomorrow because I said that), but it’d probably be similar to my answer to question number 2. Re-ignite that passion for your story and remember WHY you’re writing it. And be willing to recognize when you just need to step away for a break.
You may also like:
- Get Out of Your Writing Slump [+free PDF]
- How to Overcome Writer’s Block: 14 Tricks That Work [Goinswriter.com]
- How to Overcome Writer’s Block: 20 Helpful Tips [Reedsy.com]
Q: How do you keep writing consistently?
A: Making sure I always have clear goals in mind. That way, every time I sit down to write, I know what I’m working towards. And sometimes I have to give up other things I enjoy to make time to write every day, like reading or playing one of my instruments.
Q: How do you get inspiration when you have none?
A: Remember WHY I’m writing this particular story, recalling why I’m passionate about its message or theme. And I get quite a bit of inspiration from my story’s Pinterest boards and playlists. 😛
You may also like:
- How to Write When You Have Literally No Inspiration [Abbie.com]
- Stop Feeling Overwhelmed: 5 Ways to Rediscover Creativity & Joy [Abbie.com]
- 5 Things You Should Be Doing Every Day to Stay Creative & Focused [Abbie.com]
Q: What are some nice ways to take refreshing breaks?
A: Change up your morning and night routines, do something relaxing, enjoy your other hobbies, enjoy other art forms (great way to refill your creative cup and get inspired), read, go for walks to just think.
Q: What are some good tips for when you feel paralyzed by how much you have to do?
A: First, take a deep breath. Put on some calming music, then make a concise list of everything you have to do. Break this down into manageable daily goals. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t always meet your goals. If looking at your full to-do list makes you anxious about everything you have to get done, don’t do that. Only look at your daily goal, tackle that, and take things one day at a time.
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Q: How do you beat procrastination?
A: Again, we’re going back to goals. 😉 Make sure you have clear, concise, specific daily goals. If you’ve done that and still deal with procrastination, then try using the pomodoro technique (working non-stop 25 minutes, resting for 5) and rewarding yourself. Remove ALL distractions (throw you phone out the window if you have to) until the only thing your mind has to focus on is your work. No matter what, if things are going well or terribly, don’t leave your work until that 25-minute timer goes off. Then reward yourself during those 5 minutes. I don’t know maybe with chocolate or something. 😛
You guys asked some awesome questions and I had tons of fun answering them. 😀 If you have questions about cultivating a productive lifestyle but didn’t get a chance to submit them before the blog post, feel free to drop them in the comments or contact me.
Have an awesome day, everyone! <3
15 Comments
[…] Burnout on a deadline?|I Answer All Your Productivity Questions — Jenna Terese […]
Great post. It’s really helpful in figuring out how I can be productive myself.
😀 Thanks, Miranda! SO glad you found it helpful! <3
These are great tips, Jenna!! Thank you!!
😀 Thanks, Katja!
These are great questions and brilliant answers! I’m definitely not the naturally organised/productive type. I tend to work off inspiration mostly, which is really good when I’m inspired…less good when I’m not, so this article had plenty of tips to try! I’ve done the pomodoro technique before (I’ve never heard that name though!) and I usually find it productive, so I think I’ll work on using that a little more.
Thanks for this post!
😀 I’m so glad you found this helpful! It was really fun to write. Thanks for reading! <3
Yes! So good, Jenna. So glad I’m not the only one who listens to music while working. For me it is worship: all day, every day. Sometimes (which is such a blessing), a line or theme of a worship song will inspire me to write a scene. I’ll keep this tips in mind! 🙂
😀 Thanks, Abby! That’s awesome; I love worship music too. Who’s your favorite singer?
Ooh. That’s a tough one. I seriously have so many that I have categorize them by different Christian sub genres and by gender, and by if it is a group or not. But if I had to pick one at the top of my head it’d be Meredith Andrews. How about you?
Yeah, I guess that was a hard question. XD I don’t think I’ve heard of Meredith Andrews; I’ll have to look into her. I really like Lauren Daigle. 🙂
Ah! Okay, Lauren Daigle is good. I’ve sung a couple of her songs before. 🙂
😀 Are there any songs of her in particular you like? I love Rebel Heart, Look up Child, and Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.
YES
Granted, I don’t listen to her much. But I like Once and For All, and “How Can It Be”. 🙂