Elements of productivity
My friend Suzen recently wrote a blog post listing the elements that help her to be a productive artist. Artists often usually have more interesting lists like this, since their materials are often more varied – and cool – than writers’. That said, I was inspired by her post to write a list of my own elements of productivity. A couple of Suzen’s and my elements are the same, but we’ve been friends for a long time, so you know. It happens.
- Earl Grey tea/instant espresso – I can’t start my day without drinking a cup of tea or an Americano made with instant espresso. I’m not one of those people who physically can’t function – I just don’t see the point not having a cup of tea first thing in the morning. I might as well not bother waking up! Suzen was actually the one to turn me on to the instant espresso. I sometimes feel like a freak because I often find coffee they serve in random office worker cafes to taste better than that of award-winning, ultra-famous coffeeshops. This could explain why I like instant espresso. It’s not fancy, it does the job and I don’t need extra equipment to make it happen.
- CBC Radio One - I am such a nerd for the CBC, but I love their radio the best. I grew up listening to talk radio in general and am more naturally drawn to it than to music. And CBC Radio One is always so dependable and good. Though, I am still a bit sore over the fact that they changed the iconic intro music to the news that’s been a staple since I was at least in high school. It was so comforting and the new music is so bland.
- My chair – I do a lot of writing in the office in my apartment, but there’s something about the chair in the living room that seems to increase my productivity. It’s one of those Poäng Ikea chairs, black leather with a matching footstool. It’s just so comfortable, and it’s right by the windows so I can look outside and daydream/plan.
- A notebook – I am a hopeless collector of notebooks I fill only partway. Even so, I am always scribbling in one, whether it’s a list of article ideas or what I need to write that week. As a teenager, I was famous in my family for knowing exactly what each pile of junk in my room contained. Thankfully I’m not messy like that anymore, but I think that spirit has transferred into my collection of notebooks. I can’t throw any of them away now, because they all contain something necessary.
- Other blogs – The list of blogs on the right are not all writing blogs, or freelancing blogs, but they all have one thing in common – they help me to be a better, more productive writer. The more prolific ones inspire me to increase my output. Other ones inspire me to look at things differently, often serving to increase my productivity as well!
I also wanted to take a minute to suggest everyone check out a new book that’s just been released – You Are Among Friends: Advice for the Little Sisters I Never Had by Lindsey Markel. I don’t have a little sister but I bought this book right away. I’ve known Lindsey online for a few years and she is truly one of the most intelligent, warm, funny, courageous people around. I honestly believe this book can inspire not just little sisters, but people of all ages. Lindsey has a way of doing that often and I’ve always admired that. Anyway, go have a look!
This week’s been weird for me, writing-wise. Earlier in the week, I printed out a short story of mine to review it. I’d only been doing so on the computer so far, but there’s something more productive-feeling about making notes on a sheet of paper. A different mental connection, maybe. 