For some, 2020 was a year for creative breakthroughs. For others, it was a creative lull. I’m part of the second group. I had little energy for creative projects this year, so I’m eager to kick-start my creative energy in 2021! The best way to do that is by making time for my creativity and scheduling it like I do all my other important tasks. I like to take time at the start of January to map out my creative goals and projects. One of the easiest ways I stay organized is with Post-it® Products, and not just with classic Post-it® Notes (which I’m obsessed with and plaster all over my desk), but with the new Noted by Post-it® collection, which features an assortment of notebooks, planner pads, pens, folios, list notes and more. I personally love the Noted by Post-it® Notebooks and To-Do Lists!
Creativity is important to me every year, but I plan to make it my main focus in 2021. The new Noted by Post-it® collection is full of simple yet colorful tools, which allows my personality to shine while staying organized. To not get bogged down with other daily tasks, I like to schedule my creativity into my calendar and planners and treat it as an urgent task. Here’s how I break it down:
Things To Buy:
- Noted by Post-it® Perpetual Calendar
- Noted by Post-it® Weekly Planner Pad
- Noted by Post-it® Notebook
- Noted by Post-it® Square Notes
Using my Noted by Post-it® For Today Notes as a friendly reminder to take a break from my screens!
Things To Do:
- I start each month with a creative brainstorming session. I write out all the creative goals in my notebook I planned at the beginning of the year and see where I’m at with them. I then pick out a few actionable steps I can take that month to focus on.
- Then I will schedule those action items into my calendar. I like to do this virtually and on paper. For example, I will schedule a creative field trip, order new camera films to test, spend a few hours practicing Photoshop, etc.
- Then I will pick one creative task to work on daily, and schedule that in my Noted by Post-it® Daily Planner Pad.
Reminding myself of these creative tasks in so many different areas keeps it front of mind! It’s so easy to push them back and think of them as less important than that pressing email.
Noted by Post-it® For Today Notes // Noted by Post-it® Round Notes // Noted by Post-it® Today’s The Day Planner Pad
I love to have a daily breakdown near me at all times. The Noted by Post-it® Today’s The Day Planner Pad is great because I can stick it to my desk or any other area I’m working. I love the flexibility of it. One trick is to schedule your creative tasks first thing in the morning. I like to save my emails, phone calls or any other distracting tasks until later in the afternoon when I don’t need creative brain power.
Create a Routine:
My routine has been all over the place since juggling my kids and work at the same time during this pandemic, but I still think it’s crucial to stick to one the best you can. A realistic routine that is gentle and flexible is my approach this year. I work for myself, so it’s easier for me to create my own schedule, but it may be something you can play around with if you’re not self-employed.
I like to pick three top action items to focus on every day and jot them down on my Noted by Post-it® Top 3 Notes so I can keep track and stay honest. Here’s an example of my daily routine:
6:30 a.m. — Wake up with the kids and do our morning routine.
7:30 a.m. — Get organized for work and set up my daughter for Zoom school (try to accomplish one of my three daily tasks).
9 a.m. — Play with and take care of my son while my daughter is in school.
11 a.m. — While the kids are playing on a break, I answer emails and work on another daily task.
1 p.m. — Take a fresh air break/work out.
2 p.m. — Uninterrupted work time! Finish my last daily task of the day.
4 p.m. — Play with kids while my husband does his workout.
5 p.m. — Start prepping dinner/end-of-day wind-down.
By staying organized and mapping out all my monthly, weekly and daily creative tasks, I hope to have an inspiring and creative 2021!
Congratulations to the winner of our giveaway with Noted by Post-it®, Lindsay Schock! We will be in touch to set you up with your complete Noted by Post-it® collection soon! Thank you to all who entered the giveaway. You can still snag your own Noted by Post-it® products, now available at Target!
This post was sponsored by Post-it®, but all opinions are always our own. Thank you for supporting brands that support us and allow us to continue making all the daily #flashesofdelight content you know and love.
