Skip to main content

Getting It Done


I'm asked all the time how I get seemingly so much accomplished. I feel like I don't get nearly enough done, but I guess that's my problem......
 

Anyway, I've adapted a couple tricks over the course of the years and I thought I would share:
  • I take advantage of block scheduling, like running all my errands together one day every week. I also consolidate studio chores - for instance, Sunday evenings are spent varnishing paintings, Monday mornings are packing and shipping days.
  • I schedule myself one half-day a week for client consults, photo shoots, painting deliveries, visits and other things that may take me out of the studio.
  • I have a daily routine - household chores followed by several hours of computer work, with my end goal being getting to the easel by noon. Because everything else is done, I can paint until afternoon activities start up with my kids, typically around 4 or 5. My Better Half chips in and does carpools and dinners when home in time, and The Man Child gets recruited to drive carpools at least once a week. And the added bonus? the more efficiently I run my morning, the faster I get to the easel - since all I really want to do is paint, it's a great prize.
  • In the evenings I check email prior to bedtime. I can also duck in and check while dinner's simmering or kids are doing homework. Things needing immediate attention are flagged as such, so when I come into the studio in the morning I can get straight to work.
  • I use a planning software program (Palm Software from an ancient Palm Pilot phone!) to track all my tasks. I color code - studio, family, volunteer, etc - and tag if they can be delegated (you never know when someone will offer to help!). I build tasks with due dates and reminders and set them up to repeat if they are things I do cyclically. This way I do not have to remember a thing, and my brain is free to focus on the more important stuff.
  • Everything I need during the course of my work day is here in the studio. Including a girl scout cookie stash. (I had a chocolate one, but someone raided it. That someone's on my radar and karma's tough.)
  • I do better with a tightly scheduled day. If I have a shorter to-do list, I will waste time on Pinterest or ebay, for example. So I lean towards overscheduling in the hope that it'll keep me on track.
  • I also am a rabid list maker. Understanding that and forcing myself to make one list (the Palm Software) allows me to control and leverage what could end up being a crutch.

To me, time management is understanding the circumstances under which we best perform (and knowing what works for one person may not work for another) and building habits that best match up.

Now I am off for a little holiday shopping with The Princess!
Kim, who loves helping Santa get it done

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tabby Kit

"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me .  Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po
“Rapt (Shadow),” from the Larger than Life series, 16”x22”, acrylic black lab mixed breed pet portrait on gallery wrapped canvas, $699. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is Shadow, who went missing on Sunday night. He belongs to a friend of mine, and has been a fixture in our community for many years. Errant fireworks scared the silly old guy into running off, and his family is busy searching for him. (If you happen to be in the Lake Orion/Oakland County area and have seen Shadow, please call 248-391-0867 or 248-391-6817) I’m confidant that he is safe (somewhere!) and awaiting discovery, but meanwhile, couldn’t help myself from posting his portrait as today’s dog a day painting . He’s constantly on my mind, and probably will remain so, until he finds his way back home. Hug your four legged guys while you can! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ dis

NEW! Etsy Store

One of my favorite unsold paintings from 2008, "Lashes & Corkscrews," 5" x 8", acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a tobiano buckskin curly horse, $289. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com (but read further on how you can get a special deal on this painting!). Now it's ridiculously easy to browse my painting archives. All you have to do is visit my Etsy store . Etsy has a Shopping Cart (so you can pile it high with purchases from a variety of artists), is integrated with Paypal (although you may still pay by check if you prefer to), and is terribly simple to navigate. When the week has ended, I will have listed almost 100 of my favorite (UNSOLD!) paintings here, grouped loosely by subject matter. During 2009 I'll update the shop regularly, and add non-Dog-a-Day pieces as a bonus, thus making it easy to search for that perfect gift. Watch my daily postings for announcements, promotions and discount codes. If you do not receive the Dog-a-Day emails (