Work smarter, not harder

By Dr Lucy Rogers. Posted

Do you sometimes get that horrible feeling of being overwhelmed by life? For me, it’s usually by the little things that I have to think about before I can even start to think about the big things. What shall I wear today? Is there enough toothpaste left in that small tube for five days away? Where’s my travel pass? This ALWAYS adversely affects my making. Or, to put it more bluntly, I stop making.

Over the last few years of reading and listening to people, I have found seven hints and tips that help me – I’ve shared an overview of them here. I know not all will work for everyone all of the time, but please help yourself to any that do appeal.

Seven ‘R’s’ of reducing mental load:

_Reduce _
• Reduce the number of decisions and choice.
• Reduce the amount of physical things I own.
• Reduce information – mailing lists, post, television.
• Reduce people stress (e.g. I mute people on Twitter).

Routine – don’t think, just do.
• I have a ‘uniform’ of jeans, black T-shirt, a jacket, and boots. I don’t have to decide what to wear.
• Favourites in my online shopping are automatically added.
• I do a 30 minute Pomodoro before breakfast, and one straight after – one hour’s work done without thinking about it (or procrastinating).

Right place for everything
• Easiest example is a cutlery tray – knives, forks, spoons always in the same place.
• For this to work, the things must go BACK in the right place too!

Replicate
• I have a laptop power lead in a bag ready for trips, and one for everyday use.
• Phone charger upstairs and downstairs.
• I keep a spare phone battery, cables, business cards, pen, and notebook in a pencil case – I just grab it when going out for a day.

_Readiness _
• Get my clothes out night before
• Buy train tickets the day before

Write it down – paper lists, apps such as WorkFlowy, Trello, or pictures such as Pinterest.

Relax
• Bubble Bath
• Reading
• MAKING!

Note that some of these ideas:
• Cost money, and I know that this is not an option for everyone.
• Aren’t environmentally friendly.
• Do not sit comfortably with everyone’s idea of what is right.

These are the things that help me do more making. I’d love to hear what works for you.


http://www.guildofmakers.org/

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