Time: Planning Yours

Many working artists I've met think that they need to get into a potsition where they can quit the day job before they can maximize creative time. However, I think that each of us has more available time than we initially believe.

One simple way to get an accurate picture involves tracking how you spend time for one week. Choose a method that works for you - on paper or digitally - and tally the number of hours you spend on your various activities, including any time-fillers such as watching TV or wandering through Facebook. Numerous sources can give you more detailed instructions for this exercise, including Wishcraft and Becoming a Master Student. If you've done it correctly, the end result should be a throrough picture of the amount of time you have and where those hours fall on your schedule.

Sher suggests choosing a block of free time that you find you often spend aimlessly- for example, 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Thursdays - then cut it in half, and use that half for your project. During the other half, you get to relax or goof off. Her reason for initially scheduling only half of that time is that we all need open-ended free time, and if you get into the flow while working on your project, you may find yourself wanting to continue working rather than turning on the TV anyway!

Rather than elaborate further on general use of time, I'll move on to specific suggestions for using time for your passion or vocation during the course of your work day:

• If you're a morning person and you don't have heavy family obligations or your kids are old enough to be fairly independent, block out 30+ minutes in the morning. Use your best time of day to steam ahead.
• Figure out a way to make your commute serve your goal. If you take public transportation to work, use train/bus time to listen to a relevant recording or watch an instructional video on your phone (with headphones, of course). If you manage to get a seat, you can use commute time to map out a project plan, break it down into smaller steps and schedule those steps into the weeks ahead. And if blocking out distractions is your superpower, you could even draft a chapter of the novel or make a few sketches. If you drive, listening to a pertinent audiobook or podcast may be your only option but as long as it doesn't hinder your ability to drive safely, it's still something. If you walk or bike, you can use the exercise to clear your mind as well as take note of places along your route that could be of interest to you, such as art supply shops.
• Pinpoint steps within your project that can be completed within 15 minutes and do one during lunch break. Doing this every work day will add up to more than an hour each week.
• If you're an evening person, work on the project for 15-20 minutes after family time is over for the night and kids are in bed. If you don't have any dependents you can devote more time. If you have a spouse or domestic partner, try designating a time when you both work on whatever gives you meaning - not working together on the same thing (although if that's what you're doing, go for it) but working side by side, sort of like preschoolers' parallel play.

If you've never tried any of these things, you may be surprised at how quickly small time increments add up.