In my last post I was talking about my need to scale things down a bit and make sure I get into a habit of working on my creative projects, making music being one of them but not just the single thing I like to work on. Especially given my brain damage, when I can’t digest noise and sound I have to have alternative projects to work on.
Mostly my planning involves fixed moments for working on one of my creative projects or outlets. This doesn’t always work and I tend to fall into the short term attention grabbers when I can’t work on the thing I planned.
So I was looking for a new way to plan my projects and still maintain consistency. I have started categorizing my activities into sections. From things I can do most of the days, even when my cognitive energy is low, to activities I need to be in the best possible form, from a cognitive perspective. Basically I made a list from low energy consumption to high energy consuming activities.
While this seems like a thing which is primarily important for people with problems such as myself. Everyone has limits to their cognitive (and psychological) energy on any given day.
Also everyone experiences fluctuations in their energy, from day to day. I think it can help to acknowledge this and have some sort of idea what the things are that you require a lot of cognitive energy for.
Knowing yourself
Maybe a bit of an open door, but knowing yourself and what your energy levels are is very important in day to day life. Knowing how to recharge yourself and knowing when it’s time to take some rest is key. A lot of people are in the dark about that. As they live their lives under a constant pressure from work, life and other impulses they feel they can’t control.
It’s hard carving out the time to figure out how your cognitive energy is and how to know when your are pushing yourself into the red. This can be the start of a learning experience for anyone. And a very useful one. Just reset for a couple of days. Or longer if you feel this is necessary, and possible.
Reset periods are important, rest is essential. So cramming as much as possible into a holiday period might not be the best option. A lot of people who are good at their job, art, or other activity, take long periods of time off. To rest and think about their next steps. It’s a luxury maybe but it’s more productive in the long run. But in our own time and with the free time we have we can all carve out time to rest and reflect to the best of our abilities.
Also knowing what to focus on makes for better results. In the end the return on time invested is bigger.
Getting back into it.
I have been resting more and being more offline more the last couple of months. Which has helped towards more focus. I also have dedicated more time towards reading, meditation, exercise and mental wellness.
I let go of my timeline and start thinking about where I need to improve. My skills in the creative things I want to do is the main thing I want to improve.
So I have switched from getting output done towards the learning process and finish things when they are ready in my eyes. Not comparing things anymore.
It also set me out on a more Japanese way of thinking, imperfection, focus on learning skills and doing things mindfully and with attention.
Now I am slowly getting back into it. Finding more space and energy for doing the things I love.
Quality first
Our systems put productivity first, rather than skills and quality. This is counterproductive. As we all know, but the day to day hectic schedules and target driven processes in most industries lack the room for a quality focussed approach. Still for your own (creative) work, you can do this. Say no more often and make sure the focus remains on building skills, and putting out the best work possible.
By no means this is perfection, as perfection is a dangerous thing. Perfection kills many great idea. As a concept it’s a good idea. Striving towards the perfect end result is great, as long as you realize you have to finish things as well. As long as learning and focussing on the process of making the art, doing the work is there. The end results will get better and better.
