For creativity, you need to get rid of the crap. Your surroundings are a reflection of who you are, and the state of your environment is a reflection of the state of your mind.
I work best when everything is in its proper place. At this point, I should make a disclaimer. Everyone works differently. You might work well in crap. I cannot. The piles and dust and general disorder weigh on my mind. Like a big stinky dump truck with tin cans tied to the bumper that clang against the sides of my brain. No, I do not work well with disorder.
Chaos and confusion within your to-do list will also make a mess of your mind. You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Get it out of the way. Right now.
For me, it’s tough to deal with accounting-related tasks. Not only because I am so clearly a right-brained person, but because I’m also directly responsible for my own salary. It’s incredibly stressful. So I sub-consciously avoid the numbers game because it’s difficult and hard and sticky.
But it’s also incredibly important, so I push it to the forefront daily. After all, the show cannot go on without money, and I really love that thing called eating. So while I would really prefer to be brainstorming the next big idea, finishing the accounting makes me feel just as good, euphoric even.
Purging your to-do list of items that bring you anxiety means not only crossing off the difficult and boring tasks, but getting rid of the items that suck your energy.
For instance, I have a habit of adding unnecessary to-dos to my list. Items that are so ridiculously broad such as “recruitment,” or so entrenched in abbreviation like “LM to SC and in DB & Ltr” that I have no frickin’ clue what I’m supposed to be doing or where to start. Such items are now banned from my college-lined notebook. Don’t let them show up in yours. Sneaky rascals, those to-dos.
It’s kind of like the style shows where they embarrass people into dressing properly. The fashionable teach the outdated, passé, and defunct how to rid their closet of negative energy and bedazzaled Capri jeans. By doing so they make the simple act of getting dressed a retreat of confidence, coolness and beauty.
Now, just think if your to-do list were that sexy.
Face your work woes. Creativity will follow the work that you do and the risks you take.
20 replies on “Purge first. Creativity second.”
Rebecca,
Enjoyed your post.
‘Crap’ is in the eye of the beholder. Here’s my perspective: http://www.slowdownfast.com/blog/a-messy-desk-is-the-sign-of-a-messy-desk/
David
@ David – certainly enjoyed your post. The idea that a messy desk is just a messy desk is true to some extent, but studying design in college, I learned that there is a strong corollary between your environment and who you are. I don’t subscribe to environmental determinism, but I do believe that your physical surroundings impact your life.
And I also think that in terms of my post, I was trying to get across that you can’t let the things that scare you or give you anxiety become weights that pull you down. You need to do them, or take them off your list, etc. to be able to clear your mind for creative ideas.
Thanks for your comment!
Rebecca,
I agree with you.
What does it say when I have the walls of my office adorned with emotive drawings and etchings from Tony Fitzpatrick? Am I a product of my surroundings?
Amen sister. I can’t work amid clutter either.
When my husband and I think of taking a mini-vacation, I want to get out of the house he wants to stay in. His reason: Everything he wants is there. My reason: I see my slightly messy closet and pantry and think “damn, I can’t do anything until I clean this up.”
OCD? Maybe.
@ David – Artists are great, and people who adorn art are even better. :) Really.
@ Erin – your comment made me laugh! I often work out of a nearby coffee shop for the exact same reason. I can let things be messy at home or at the office, but not without a little OCD making me want to leave :)
Totally the case for me. I’m one of those crazy writer types that needs two things to work. 1) An aesthetically pleasing environment. 2) A blank surface.
I share an apartment with three others, so there are times when I leave the home to work, but for the most part we have similar tastes and we have worked hard to make our living space functional for all our needs. What this means is that all of our public space is open and airy. Our 12′ ceilings and hardwood floors are uncluttered and the floor-space is left as open as possible. The lighting is muted and the blinds often drawn against the sun.
I clean my desk religiously. It is a ritual for me. Putting things in their proper place, and laying out the tools of my craft carefully and precisely is a statement to myself that I’m about to work. Once a project is engaged (it does seem a battle metaphor is appropriate here) the work-space is immediately cluttered.
My notes, sketches, diagrams, and drafts are everywhere. But the center of my desk is left free for a jar of ink, a speed ball, and a candle. That spot is where the magic happens. The pen dips, blots, and then scribbles. The candle flickers and provides a warm glow to the paper of whatever journal I’m writing in (usually moleskin of course). The act of preparing my space becomes a ritual of attention, focusing my mind on the work I’m about to do.
Professionally it’s the same. My desk gets cleaned, and then the project diagrams are spewed across it, tumbling out of their folder like some chaotic legion of animated figures, drawn in soft-pencil sketches, and bold ink lists. Then I turn to the computer and begin to code, knowing that my army of ideas is right there next to me, prepared to give me the information I need at a single glance over to the left.
It’s all about what provides me with the right mood and ability to focus. ;)
I think one other benefit of keeping a tidy existance (workplace, to-do list, abode) is that you become a more efficient person without actually intending to. I guess it can be compared to insituting learn manufactering (a process used by any manufactering company who wishes to remain profitable and in business). Not only is it easier to find items when everything is organized, but I feel that it also instills a sense of pride and productivity in one. Being organized especially benefits women we are natural born multitaskers, we have a tendency to take on more then we can handle, even if it isn’t necesary (we may feel that it is). By having an organized life we are able to better prioritize and allocate the proper time to completing a task.
Even Davids article suggests (at the bottom of it) to spend time making sure that everything is where it should be. And all those who are convinced that being messy is okay because it is comfortable are ignoring the reality that it is unefficient.
Many people (like myself) will use the necessity to clean and organize as a scape goat in order to avoid more tedious, yet important tasks; but if everything is organized and in its place that excuse can no longer be used.
@ Theo – what a cool description of how you get ready to work! I’m ready to be creative just reading how you get creative – an inspiration. Thanks for sharing ;)
@ Bubba – great points. I especially liked the idea of being efficient instilling pride. That’s so true; when I’ve just finished purging my desk or to do list, I feel pride and happiness!
Hi!
Nice, I really liked, and actually needed this post.
The context is slightly different, but I’ve needed this type of ‘purge’ to help with my own career development – but I can’t quite clear my desk; I still have to study the old, to see what I should include with the new.
I think you’re absolutely right…at least part of the time. ;-)
My desk is in a constant state of flux. I swear it’s like the weather, it changes everyday. I usually start the cycle with a clean and organized space, but slowly over a few days papers stack up, coffee cups collect, and then it’s time to purge.
Usually if I pay the stack of bills and sort through the rest of the mail I’m good. Sometimes when life is out of control it takes a detailed to-do list and a wholesale cleaning. And then it starts over again.
Such is the existence of the homebased employee.
amen, amen, amen! thanks for the article – you’re so right and so zen… first rule of fung shui is unclutter your life – i needed to be reminded. i’ve been in such a funk for so long and my immediate surroundings show it. but my office doesn’t – what’s up with that? I can organize, keep stuff tidy and put stuff away, at the office but not at home – am i suffering dual personalities (?)
OH! I love to hear I am not alone in the wannabe clutter free world! I can not stand clutter. Everything has a place! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
I strongly agree with what you said Rebecca! As a writer, I have papers up the wazoo from inteviews to research. I’m a stuff person. But periodically I must clear everything and put whatever I don’t throw out into a folder or wherever it should live. In my books I recommend that when you feel out of control–clean and organize. It always works for me. Things aren’t going well. I’m feeling down. Gettin’ a little scared. So I stop and purge. That helps me to feel I’m taking back control over my life, and transfers into other areas.
I also find that when I write a list of things to do, especially what I consider the “nasty ones,” it’s easier to focus on my writing. I just called my cable company about an issue I’ve been putting off and feel revved that it’s done, no longer weighing me down and crossed off my list.
With the end of the year coming soon, I’m also beginning my yearly massive apartment purge, where I go through every nook and cranny to get rid of anything I don’t really need and clean every inch. It’s a wonderful way to begin a new year and leaves room for more goodies to enter my life.
Some of us find clutter inspiring, like this guy:
http://www.exeter.edu/news_and_events/news_events_10121.aspx
It makes perfect sense! Take away all the “loud ” distractions rather than continue trying to ignore them.
Then the mind will be able to hear the whispers of the soul.
A great article and some great points made in the comments, as well. Personally, I find the act of cleaning up and organizing to be cathartic and a perfect way to kick start flagging motivation.
@ t h rive – Glad it could help! It was cathartic for me to write too ;)
@ Scott Williamson – you’re speaking my language. I recently read about the rule that a paper shouldn’t pass your desk twice. And I just though, yeah, right.
@ belen – interesting. My home often gets messy because I don’t spend a lot of time there. I once learned about fung shui, but not enough to comment on why we both have split personalities :)
@ Kathy – Clutter-free freaks unite!
@ Daylle – Ah, I think I need to read your book. Just reading your comment made me feel more relaxed that you were getting so much done!
@ The Mighty Atom – I wouldn’t call his cool toys clutter…
@ Ruy – Loved how you phrased this. Thanks for your comment.
@ Roy Dotson – Yes, cleaning and organizing gets me in the mood to kick butt too!
There’s a post I read a few months ago on Little Red Suit (http://littleredsuit.com/2007/07/09/forget-multitasking-if-you-can-%e2%80%93-five-tips-for-getting-stuff-done/) that was very meaningful to me in terms of the to-do list. Your bit about having things like “Recruiting” on your list reminded me of Tiffany’s point of making to-do list items with verbs (i.e. Recruiting becomes Recruit ten people this month)
Now I feel like going to clean up my desk space.
Thank you. So many people have criticized me for thinking in the manner you described. Thanks for reminding me that I am not crazy.
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