One thing that I have noticed about myself, is the fact that there are definitive time windows during the day when I am at my most creative. A time when things just seem to fall out of my soul in an effortless fashion. I am almost able to think more readily with an alternative part of my brain. The part of my brain where all the gold resides. Anytime I am trying to create something new, it is just a well accepted personal fact that I do my best work during this identified time period. I want to get that gold out of there. But not just any gold, I want the best of the best. The best gold that I can possibly mine outta there. I want that stuff, and lots of it. And I don't wanna have to feel like I'm working that hard for it either. In fact, I want to have fun while I'm doing it, and I want to do it because it is something that I enjoy. I don't want it to be a forced action. I want this for you too. Here is one thing to know that might help you out a little if you work like me.
There exists a contrast. Have you ever sat down and tried to pound something out that you really thought you wanted to work on? But there you sit. Writer's block, mental paralysis, a blank mind, etc. As some may say, "the creative juices just ain't flowing". Why is that? Hell if I know. Or maybe you are the type of person that can just produce wonderful things with your mind round the clock? I'd be interested to know you, but I do not believe this is most of us. With all that being said, I hope I am driving home the point and you will connect to this notion, that there are indeed times of the day where your brain and your creative soul are in hyper drive, and there are other times in the day where they are just...well...not.
Once I had this realization, I plainly just stopped trying to make any effort at all to create during these sorts of periods of mental lethargy. I realized a couple things about these periods in my day too. #1, it took me a LOT longer to perform simple creative tasks than it normally would. #2, whatever I produced during this time was complete shit, and I was probably going to come back and re-do it at a later time anyways. #3, I really didn't have the desire to do _______ during this time, and the fact that I was forcing myself to do it made me resent it. Yes, how strange, things that I know I absolutely LOVE, I resented in these moments.
I really started to think about my general life cycle. What were the times in my day where I felt compelled, vibrant of mind, and created some really admirable things? It wasn't hard for me to pick it out, but the fact that I never really stopped to think on these terms was pivotal for me. From there, I made a pact with my soul. I was not going to force myself to do anything creative during these "off" windows of my day if I didn't want to, however, I was actually going to PUSH myself harder to create during the "on" windows. A true strategic exploitation. I realized that squandering each and every one of my "on" windows that I was given each day was a travesty in and of itself.
I encourage you to do some thinking about your days. What are your "on" and "off" windows? Do you have them? Do you use them regularly? Do you waste them? Do you sleep through them? I believe that if you not only identify these periods in your day, but act upon them with a deliberate spirit, you too can throw your productivity and creative faculties into overdrive.
So the message is simple here guys and girls. Break up your day. Figure out the time windows where your brain is at its best. Create during these time periods. DON'T waste these. All the other times of your day, use your body to be productive. Work out, change your oil, rake the leaves, clean the house. Whatever. Just realize that you have this very GOLDEN period during each and every one of your magnificent days on this Earth. I want you to EXPLOIT the ever living shit outta these windows and create AMAZING.
What's your window?
Mine is from roughly 5am-10am, give or take. Depends how strong the coffee is. Just kidding...well, sort of...
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