Productivity Tips for Creatives

Creativity doesn’t follow a schedule and as a creative person, trying to force creativity and productivity on a timeline can feel like an uphill battle.

I personally struggle with overwhelm and lack of inspiration when I’m trying to force myself to be productive.

Unlike ‘normal’ productivity methods designed for regular people, creatives need a system that balances our lifestyle and allows us to pivot onto another project when needed.

So today I have five realistic, actionable strategies to boost productivity without burning out, including how to salvage an unproductive day… even after 5pm.

Nicola x

Strategies for Salvaging an Unproductive Day

1. Use your night-owl super powers to your advantage.

If you're super creative, chances are you're also a night owl - which means 5pm isn't the end of your day. It's ok to go and enjoy your morning and relax, as long as you can jolt yourself out of it later on and get something done.

2. If it ain't working, pivot.

Sometimes part of your creative process may just not work that day. That means, no matter how hard you try, nothing flows, nothing feels 'right'.

If that's the case, it's totally fine to use your time wisely on something else. Whether that be admin work, creating low-brain-power assets like Pins for Pinterest, or just switch to practicing your technique instead of trying to finish something.

This last strategy actually works really well for me. If a song isn't coming, I'll just practice walking bass lines or draw bird wings (for example) which serves me in the future and stops me wasting time on tasks that aren't working out.

3. If in doubt, clean your space

Ok this may seem like procrastination, but to be honest, a good clean out can really help change the vibe of your space and help you focus more the next day.

This is so true for me. I can't work well when things are messy (I'm a really clean and organised person generally though). I like my surroundings to look aesthetically pleasing. So if there's clutter all over my desk, a clear out really helps reset my energy.

4. Film at night!

This one is quite new for me personally but its a goodie. Filming at night means you have more opportunity to play around with cool lighting techniques. (Did you notice the darker lighting in the video above?)

Sure, its an area I need to improve both my lighting AND camera skills on but, it did produce some moodier (albeit grainy) shots.

The other bonus is that if you've slacked off all day and still have content to film, you can still get it done at night!

(See below for a funny vid on Night Owls vs Early Birds)

Helpful Tools:

Film at night with this hot-key video light

Noise cancelling headphones for blocking out irritating neighbours who like to play bass (badly) at night or Vroom their engines loudly.

My fave - DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo. Genius filming made super easy.

More Productivity Tips for Creatives

Want more ideas on how to make the most out of your day? Ok, here's what works for me. PS: it's more about motivation for creative people than anything else!

1. Stay focused

Changing focus is HUGE and the biggest reason I waste so much time. I have too many ideas and they pull my attention each day leaving half finished (but enjoyable) projects or new business ideas I want to start but never do. Sound familiar?

The way I deal with this is... a VISION BOARD. Yeah... corny but it works not so much for the whole manifestation thing, but more as a beacon of 'what to do today'. It reminds me visually what I'm trying to achieve and if the latest idea doesn't fit the 'vision' it feels a bit off.

2. Use small time frame goals

We're talking weekly and monthly, NOT 3,6, 12 monthly. Nope - those goals mean nothing when faced with all the amazing creative things you could waste your time on. Productivity for us is about staying motivated and focused.

Instead make a goal for the WEEK. One thing only - ie 'create and upload YouTube video', or 'finish new art piece'. It will add up overtime.

3. Use accountability scheduling to motivate you

I love this one. The idea is you set something in motion (ie you book a date to do a gig at a jazz club) and then you HAVE to get the work done in time. It's the best way to light a fire underneath your toosh.

4. Batch if you can

This was how I grew my old singing tutorials channel 'Singer's Secret'. I batched 4-6 tutorial videos at a time, edited them and then scheduled and moved onto something else, until it was time to do a few more.

Not only did this save me time, but that consistency is hands down what made my channel grow. Oh and the fact that I wasn't emotionally attached to anything so I posted no matter what. I am CONSTANTLY deleting stuff from this website and youtube channel/ insta etc because I decide I don't like it. Ugh. I can't get out of my own way sometimes.

5. Get unemotional about it

So that brings us to this next point - if you can produce work without getting super close and all emotional about it, then you will be better off. Trust me, it will be fun AND productive this way. It's how I approach writing songs with other people - we have a job to do (ie write a song within the session) and we just get it done. No faffing about, no 'this isn't my vibe today'. It spills out because we treat it like a job. It works.

I hope you found this blog helpful! Let me know in the comments if any of the points above resonated with you - of if you have another strategy you like to use!