03/06/2023
It’s , a day when I offer advice about marketing or entrepreneurship. Today’s topic–Organized Chaos!
I once read an article that posed the question, Is organization the enemy of creativity? Years ago, I would have answered yes! Most creatives I knew were free spirits, not structured individuals. We were independent, authentic, flexible and innovative. Sometimes a bit chaotic. But without organization, were we as impactful as we would have liked?
For a while, I made excuses. I run late and forget things at times, but no one is perfect. I was self-aware, but I wasn’t accountable for my actions, which didn’t lead to success, well not the level of success my creative mind envisioned. I learned in college that excuses are tools of incompetence used to build bridges to nowhere. I was going somewhere, and to get further faster, I had to get organized.
To remember due dates and meetings, I put everything on my calendar with reminders and even alarms. Since I thrive under deadlines, I plug in fake dates. That guarantees on-time submissions. If you wait until the last minute and an emergency strikes, you will miss a deadline or create unnecessary anxiety. To stay on top of tasks, I downloaded a to-do list app. I also write in a physical planner, made especially for creatives. I can track my mood, doodle, journal and set priorities. There is also a box for daily gratitudes. Additionally, I make sure my workspace is tidy–in-person, with file folders and supply trays, and online with Google Drive and DropBox’s digital storage options.
I know I won’t change my personality completely. You shouldn’t want to! Therefore I team up with admins, like Fawn and Diana, to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Our Operations Director Sonya also created systems for Basecamp, our project management platform. Embracing not only creativity but also organization gets more things done. That means more satisfaction, more work and more money.
