Feel like you never have enough time in the day? From marketing and managing your inventory to accounting and sales, you have a lot to juggle. Not to mention making time to create art!
It’s important to focus on what’s important and avoid exhaustion. Use these 5 time management tricks to stay on track and get the most out of your day.
1. Take Time to Plan Your Week
It’s hard to prioritize weekly goals when you’re living task by task. Sit down and plan out your ideal week - have a vision statement. Seeing your week laid out in front of you can be very revealing. It helps you prioritize what is most important and block out time for those tasks. Remember to be reasonable though, tasks always take longer than you think.
2. Work Around Your Peak Creative Time
If you do your best studio work in the afternoon, block that time out for art. Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield suggests planning your other tasks like marketing, answering emails, and social media around your peak creative time. Find your rhythm and stick to it.
3. Set a Timeframe and Take Breaks
Set a time limit on each task and then take a quick break. Working for long interrupted hours can slow down productivity. You can use the Pomodoro Technique - work for 25 minutes and take a 5 minute break. Or, work in 90 minute blocks and take 20 minute breaks. And resist the urge to multi-task. It hurts your focus.
4. Use Tools to Stay Organized
Make good use of the helpful organizational tools out there. ToDoist, for instance, allows you to access your to do list on any device so you’ll always have it on hand. You can keep track of your inventory, contacts, competitions, and sales with Artwork Archive. Knowing where everything is will save you time.
“One of my major concerns was that I was going to spend way too much time entering all the pieces when I already did that on my website, but I find Artwork Archive is way more useful of a tool because it’s fast and easy to use” - Heather Arenas
5. Wrap Up Your Day and Relax
Remember these wise words from creative blogger Leigh Medeiros: “The great irony is that when we are more rested and refreshed, we get more done.” Spend 15 minutes wrapping up the day so you’re set for tomorrow. Then, leave work behind. If you live where you work, shut the studio door until the next work day. Enjoy your evening, unwind, and get a good night’s sleep. You’ll be ready to take on tomorrow!
In need of a better routine? Check out this morning routine for artists that will get your creativity and productivity flowing.