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Finding Balance in the Bustle

Can you believe it’s almost the end of the year? 

Holiday festivities have kicked off big time for my family and before I know it the year will be over. 

As we juggle our passions, families, and day-to-day tasks, finding that sweet spot of balance is key. 

Let's talk about how staying organized and having a solid system can transform chaos into harmony.

Before I can do anything well, I need to keep my body and mind right. 

Picture this: It's early morning, the world's still asleep, and you're already smashing your workout goals.

That's right, lifting heavy weights not only builds muscles but also builds momentum for the day.

It's like a power-up for tackling everything else with energy and focus. 

Whether it’s lifting, running, or yoga, find your morning ritual. It sets the tone for a productive day.

 

AI generated in Photoshop using the following prompt: green background with an email device. There are idea lightbulbs, post-it notes, and thought bubbles floating around and into the device. In the style of vector art.

Ever feel like your brain is an overfilled storage unit?

You need a system.

Time to declutter! Keeping track of action items and ideas can't just be a mental exercise. 

You've got to have a landing pad for those thoughts. 

I use a customized email system with labels like "Next Action", "Next Week", or "Someday" and it has been a game-changer. 

Whenever I have an idea I need to remember or a new action item comes up, I send an email to myself. 

Next time I sit down to check my email, I triage them by adding the appropriate label. 

If it's something I want to get done soon, it gets "Next action". 

If it's for another time, it might get "Next week" or "Someday". 

By using this one single inbox to capture everything, I can get the idea out of my head and move on. 

And I know I always check my email, so it fits right in as a system that works well for me.

There's a little more to this system to make it work really smooth but it would be a lot to go into here.

If you do want to get into it sometime and learn more about this system, you can book a chat.

Tackling Tasks with a System

Once you've captured your ideas, the next step is all about prioritization. 

Assigning labels helps to visually sort what needs immediate attention and what can wait. 

It's like having a personal assistant inside your inbox, helping you focus on what's important. 

It's all about getting those ideas out of your head and into a system where they can be organized and tackled efficiently. 

Try it out! 

You might just find that your email can be more than just a communication tool; it can be your personal idea organizer.

This approach isn't just limited to emails; it can be applied to note-taking apps, physical journals, or whatever works best for you.

Working with a Coach

On a slightly different (yet related) topic, I started working with a business coach. 

If you don’t know how to do something, how do you learn? 

Hiring a coach is one way. 

It has been fun focusing on the art of the business side of things. 

We’re working on making a business plan for next year and up next is how to build a solid system around it all. 

Systems… It’s all about systems.

We’ve also been working on content updates on my website, including some new pages.

If you’re feeling clicky and want to check out some of the updates:

  • My homepage has some small updates to the sections at the bottom of the page.
  • I have a projects page where I list past work and the value I added for my clients.
  • I totally reworked my Hire Me page, including a map of my murals at the bottom of the page.

Let me know what you think.

In the whirlwind of life, especially as creatives juggling multiple roles, having a structured system isn't just helpful; it's essential.

It’s not about rigid schedules or restrictive routines, but about creating a framework that gives you freedom and clarity.

Until next time, remember: lift heavy, write it down, and keep everything in its place. Here's to a balanced and organized week ahead!

Stay Strong and Creative,
Crawdad 🦞


P.S. I’d love to hear your strategies for balancing life and creativity! What’s your morning ritual? How do you keep track of your ideas? Let's trade tips and keep each other motivated!