Today I woke up at 5 AM for absolutely no reason. I was just wide awake. So I rolled out of bed, grabbed my laptop and sneakers, and headed to the local coffee shop.

I have been so productive today it’s insane.

I finished a few projects well before deadline, I shot off some emails to friends, I gave a wonderfully talented woman a job recommendation, I bought birthday and graduation cards, and I finally got around to a lot of administrative work I’ve been meaning to do for my business. All before noon.

This bout of productiveness has me thinking about, well, productivity. I’m a huge proponent of the articles from the 99 % and thought I’d share these pieces that really got me thinking (especially since I missed this week’s Manic Monday thanks to the holiday).

This study on Idea Execution is based on an audit of creative types as they answer questions on their work routines. It pulls together some of my biggest questions as a creative, a sole practitioner, and someone whose thesis was entitled “creative spaces in working places”. The idea of work space and work flow directly impacting creative output has always been a fascination of mine, and I try to follow some simple rules to keep focused and aware- for instance, when I really need to focus, I seek out a new work space. The change in scenery refreshes my mind, and settling into a new area is a way I’ve trained my brain to signal creativity.

This article goes along with  a conversation I had last night with a brilliant woman who is able to regularly meet with people across multiple industries. She was explaining how the creative people she works with have tasks that pay the bills, and tasks they love, and they aren’t always the same tasks. This article explains further how the “money making” tasks can be placed with higher importance in one’s life, leading to more success in a monetary sense. My question is then: if what makes you money isn’t what you’re passionate about, where should your priorities lie? Can you do that which pays the bills in order to every so often have your thrills?

Finally, this article outlines a few of my essential steps to being productive- as I said earlier, I have different areas for different types of work. I tend to be someone who “nests” in that I need everything that pertains to the task at hand for easy reference. I am also very much a person who is sensitive to surroundings and in need of a familiar element to my work station. This article has echoed my considerations when approaching a new working environment, and this is something that is always at the top of my mind in the current job hunt.

I’m not saying these ideas are the ideal for everyone- I am very much an A-type personality with a love of organization and a penchant for regimented work!

Have a great (and productive!) day!