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In this show:
• Scott Belsky and I talk about his new book, Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality. It’s a guide to productivity written especially for creative people.
• We talk about the “double-edged sword” of a creative mind – on the one hand, we come up with great ideas. On the other, our creative natures sometimes hinder us in bringing those ideas to life.
• Scott offers up some tools for overcoming our derailing tendencies, and for keeping an action-oriented focus that lets us grow professionally.
Links:
• Check out Scott’s book, Making Ideas Happen. (That’s an affiliate link. The publisher sent me a review copy.)
• You might also want to explore the Behance Network, which is an online sharing and productivity network for creatives of all kinds.
• The 99% is both an annual conference and a great blog produced by the Behance team. Loads of thought-provoking posts every week.
• You may also want to check out Action Method, which is an online productivity tool from Behance. (Though it should be said, there are unlimited methods for managing productivity. A stack of index cards, a legal pad, a fancy planner, an online tool – the “best” one is always the one you like using the most.)
I just loved this podcast — and the ideas that y'all spoke about really resonated with me.
Some days I feel like a ping-pong ball — bouncing around from project to project, from Twitter to email — and at the end of the day I can't really say that I've accomplished anything tangible.
But what has really been helping my productivity lately is scheduling “appointments” with myself. For example, from 10-11am every day I tune out all communication streams and focus on writing. And then from 1-3pm every day I focus strictly on web-design for a client. It really helps me maintain an action-oriented focus.
Thanks to you and Scott, and I can't wait to check out the Action Method. It sounds like it's right up my alley.
Boy, have I had a lot of those “ping pong ball” days too, Sarah! I like your practice of blocking out specific times for specific tasks. I often find that the more options I have of things to work on in a given day, the fewer of them I actually get to. I might try your method and see if that helps. Thanks for commenting!
Hello. My name is Brandy, and I'm an incrementalist. I feel better knowing that there is a name for my condition. I just finished listening to this podcast for the third time. Amazing and just what I need right now…I will definitely pick up a copy of the book. The Behance site is sure to be on my regular stops through cyber space from here on out. So many times have I worked and worked, and designed the method of production, made tools and jigs, researched, made several generations of the product until I finally materialize the vision in my head only to say, “now what.” People will ask, “whatever happened to that _____?, I wanted one”… I have no answer. Definitely frustrating. What you said is true about this economy. I live in South Louisiana where our economy is driven by the oilfield, not a whole lot of diversity, and now, this disaster in the gulf threatening to throw everything into a tailspin…there will be a need for the creative types to step up and carry out ideas to add diversity to the economy. We are rich in culture down here but we have got to have a range of opportunities. I also love, love, love the idea of having feedback from peers. Often times (and I never thought I'd say this) I actually long for a good crit, the kind that I had back in college. You spend so much time on a project sometimes that you don't know what to think of it anymore…you can't ask your friends and family…they think everything you do is great, ha ha! All I really want sometimes is honesty. Like Scott said, “you need people to round you out,” which is probably why I didn't marry an artist-type…one of us has to have their feet on the ground ;). I am going to go and download the action method app now…thank you Sister Diane for all that you do!
Thank YOU, Brandy – I'm thrilled that you found the podcast helpful! Scott's book was loaded with “lightbulb moments” for me, too. I think you'll really like it. And I'm totally inspired by your creative attitude in the face of all your community is facing right now.
…Lordy, I love the idea of online crit sessions with other creatives.
Hi, Diane! Although I haven't listened to this podcast yet, I want to let you know that I just discovered your web site and your podcasts last week. I downloaded a bunch of them to listen to while on a short trip and I am hooked! What a lot of great info you provide! I love your site and your podcasts! I was so impressed that my latest blog post is about podcasts and I included a link to your site. http://prized-possessions.blogspot.com/2010/06/…
Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much, Mary Ann! I appreciate your lovely post hugely. So glad you're enjoying the show and blog!
I really love the part about being pro-active instead of reactive. It's like sliding through life without notice or really dancing your way into it :) Thanks for another great podcast.
Okay, I know I say this
every
darn
time
but this podcast is the BEST one you've ever done!!
Can't wait to hear this. I will be firing it up tomorrow morning!
:-) Thank you, Chris!
This rocks! Now to schedule more time for production and limit compu-gazing time… Thank you for yet another killer, useful, and upbeat podcast!
Thanks, Teresa! To my eye, you already have awesome productivity habits…
This was a great pod cast. In the past I've always been a person that thought up ideas. first was a poetry/short story booklet… I ended up selling it for $1 an issue and it sold about 50 issues every month with no short supply of input. That lasted for 2 years then dried up… all profits went to a local girl that worked in Ministry none to myself or my team. Then I started up another mag but an online one… went for about 2 years again and died out from the lack of input. No charge for it, no profits made this time – it was just for fun.
Now I'm starting up my hand bag/craft lesson business which I mentioned before… but more big time now. I'm staying motivated by posting my progress in my blog and my facebook page. I also allocate my time when the kids/hubby is not around. Fridays is my production day. After I drop off the kids to school/preschool and when I arrive home I treat it like I'm really at work. I either listen to crafty pod or other podcasts I'm subscribed to and work work work on my handbags or my up and coming craft lessons. Only time I take phone calls or check emails – and look at blogs etc is when its during my lunch break… about 30 – 45min. Then when its time to pick up the kids I pack up work and put it all away so when I come home after that I'm at “home” again and not “work”. This works for me. My hubby and I have a verbal contract. If my business is not bringing in $100 – $200 a week after 2 years then it will be deemed as only an income hobby and I'll have to start finding part time work. Wish me luck. I hope I reach that weekly income goal… you never know aye.
I'm sure lots of people join me in wishing you all the best with this venture, Debra. It sounds like you've created a lot of great structure to help it all come together.
Thanks Diane. I need structure to stay motivated. It helps me alot.
Thank you for the wonderful interview with Scott Belsky. It was interesting to hear him discribe the three different type of creative personalities and how to take action. I think by applying some of his ideas I'll be able to break free of the passiveness of inboxes and move on to more productive things.
Thank you indeed! I think that was one of my favorite parts of the interview – “reactionary workflow.” Which, I just realized, I am doing right now. Oops! :-)
[...] Diane interviewed Scott Belsky on his book, Making Ideas Happen he spoke about the intense rush creative people get when they are inspired. His interview and [...]