We are all struggling to find the TIME we need to finish (or perhaps start!) our personal projects.
- How can getting organized make a big impact on the time you have?
- What are the four “Ds” of effective time management?
- Do you really know your tools? Can procrastinating actually help you finish your projects?
Press PLAY and Boost Your Productivity NOW!
Episode Resources:
WACOM Contest Rules [contest closed]
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky
Chris Oatley’s Custom Scatter Brush Tutorial
Ask Sunday (Virtual Assistants)
IN THE NEXT EPISODE::
We continue the discussion on FINDING TIME and discover how you make space in your life for your dream personal project.
Please share in the comments below:
I’m really glad Lora mentioned spending time trying to hang on to all the minor opportunities that come along. I had an experience just this month with the same sort of situation. Basically I was awarded a cover assignment for a smaller (but certainly not unknown) publisher. I really wanted the gig as it would be the highest profile work I’d yet done. That said, the editor I was supposed to be working with never returned my emails, and I was having to pester their marketing guy to get any response at all.
Eventually I had to make the cutoff. It’s coon season and the first one on my list is a local show that’s making the leap from a smaller convention (with only a couple thousand attendees) to a larger one (projected at 10k plus this year). The publisher had said they wanted a quick turnaround, but had put me off for a number of weeks and had missed their own deadline. A week out from the show, knowing I needed to prep for that and was losing time, I emailed the publisher and let them know that at this point they were going to have to become back-burner work. If I wasted any more time waiting or prepping for them I was surely cutting into my convention prep time, and between the two the convention was the more immediate concern.
It was hard to let that opportunity go (and hey, maybe I didn’t, they say they still want to do it) but at the end of the day you have to consider where your time is going, and how much you’re getting back from it. I’m happy to say the convention was this past weekend and was an astounding success, I even got my first experience with a fan who had read the initial release of my current personal project and was wanting more. It can be hard to let opportunities slide, particularly in the creative field, but sometimes it’s exactly the right move.
Also, the Things and Timer apps sound awesome. I’m saving to upgrade to a smart phone now and will definitely be grabbing those.
Quick note on the tools. My first big paycheck from a freelance gig went to buying my cintiq. Even though the cost was nearly 2 months worth of bills, the time I’ve saved in the two years since I grabbed it has been phenomenal. When I was freelancing it let me have personal time, and now that I’m back at a day job it allows me to still complete projects reasonable pace. A good, time saving tool always pays for itself quickly. Also, the bamboos and older intuos models are super affordable and very good (I recommend the intuos 3 for cheap but very reliable).
Jake – thank you SO MUCH for all of this helpful insight. Good story too – about the freelance gig.
I tell everyone: Yes, the Cintiq is expensive but mine paid for itself in the first month!
And that’s just monetary calculations – I can’t even begin to explain the reduction in stress level and the boost in painting skill simply because I was able to do more work, faster.
Oh yes, that Cintiq pays for itself remarkably fast. I think mine paid for itself inside the first month or two as well.
I find that when I make a decision like that, and cut something loose, it’s followed by an extreme sense of relief. It’s usually a sign that I made the right decision.
My fingers are crossed for you that the opportunity comes back around to find you again! Sounds like it might.
It definitely was a relief. One less thing on the table taking up my attention (which, by that time was largely just frustration). I hope it comes back to me, but y’know, it won’t be the last. No one opportunity is that precious if the work that landed it is solid.
Oh, and after this week I’ll definitely be throwing some ink and color down for that contest. Need me a portable backup tablet 😉
Well, Jake, I can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!
This is probably the most helpful episode you’ve done yet (well, for me)!
For other people who don’t have fancy phones and use more than one computer/OS, I use a gadget on iGoogle to organize my to-do list. I note something when I think of it, it’s there on my dashboard no matter whether I’m at work or home or traveling, and every couple days I go through and remove old tasks and re-prioritize. It’s at least a start for getting things out of your head and organizing for lower stress. I started doing it a few months ago and it’s helped a TON.
Oooh that sounds awesome. Sounds like you can still do the “Getting Things Done” system with the iGoogle apps. That seems like a really viable option for those without “fancy” phones 😉
I know I already jumped the gun a bit and sent you one piece but I’ve already started sketching out something for one of the other two quotes.
You’re podcast is really inspirational and I’m glad to be able to participate. Plus, Wacom tablets are awesome!
Thanks, Brandon! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Hey guys! Love the podcast. Been following Chris for about 3 or so years now. Keep it up, it’s a great resource and encouragement. Just wanted to let you know that I’m interested in participating in the Wacom contest, and it’s possible I could get a couple fellow creatives involved as well.
-cheers
Denman,
Glad to hear that you’re interested. Thanks for taking the time to write and for your three years of support. Wow… …has it been that long? : )
Hey, Denman, I just went to your gallery, checked through some stuff. Want you to know, yours was one of my favorite pieces in the Inception cover art contest that Deviantart did. In fact, yours was the first one I saw when I was putting in mine where I said “yeah, if that one wins I’ll be happy, it kicks ass”. Just sayin’.
Wow, Jake is right. That is an INCREDIBLE Inception piece!!!
I’m hoping to enter the contest, though I just bought a Wacom Intuos4 tablet a few months ago… 😀 Ironic. Still, I’m brainstorming right now, and I’d really like to enter just for the heck of it. I’ll let my writer/artist friends know about the contest, too.
Just to clarify, is there a word limit for written (non-art) stories?
And, is there a minimum age limit?
Hi Rachel! Prose submissions must be no longer than five single-spaced pages with a 12pt font and they must be typed.
There is no minimum age. Good luck!!
Thank you! That’s great. I’m glad that it’s open to younger members of the creative community.
Rachel, I have one word for you: Ebay.
But seriously… …There’s a lot more to earn from the contest than just the Tablet. There’s Thomas James’ book and opportunity to connect with and feature your art in a unique way. …more to come.
I’m planning on entering the contest. 🙂
Loved this episode. It goes right along with another book I’ve been reading “The Power of Less” by Leo Babauta. He talks a lot about creating habits, much like you mentioned in your “lofty thought”.
I remember when I first learned about all of that. It completely changed me. Choosing to zero in on one good habit rather than 10 has actually produced results in my life! I’ll have to check out that resource, thank you!
I’ve almost bought that book two or three times. It’s in my Audible Wish List. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hey, I got this iPhone app that relates to the episode. It’s called “To-Do List”
I don’t know how it compares to Things, but it seems pretty decent so far. I was able to set up a large task (a comic project) and then break it down into smaller (even daily) tasks. Being able to do that definitely helps me keep from getting overwhelmed.
There’s a lot of different software out there. I say if it’s working for you, and making an impact on your life, great! Chris & I don’t use the same programs either. The idea is to organize your life in a way that works for you. Great to hear!
I’m still working on an entry! Great Podcast.
Awesome! thanks for letting us know!
Great podcast guys! A *huge* life-saver. I agree with you on the To-Do List habit. I write down things what I want to accomplish by the end of the day but my mistake was I get too ambitious and end up failing. So I really liked what Chris said about breaking it down.
& YES, I’m joining the contest! Looking forward to it! 😀
Thanks, Deb. Yeah DEFINITELY check out “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. If you already love efficiency then that book will inspire and empower you!
GREAT episode! I hope to enter, if the submission time is not too short (need at least four weeks) and not too long (> 3 months and there’s no point entering because other people will have created awesome masterpieces that make my submission look pathetic – I will probably only be able to work on my entry up to an hour a week).
Great to know, CC. I think it will definitely be more than 4 weeks and less than 3 months. ; ) Lora and I are working on it. We’ll have something solid for you soon.
Ditto what Chris said. YES, you totally need to enter!!
I’ve been somehow finding time to listen to your shows, and it’s about time that I said, “THANK YOU!” You guys just keep answering question after question that I’ve had about anything and everything and it’s pretty damn spectacular. I’m thinking of entering the WACOM contest, but as I am transitioning to move out of the US Naval Academy for the summer to go on my first summer fleet cruise, I don’t know if I’d have the time or the resources. ): Still looking forward to seeing all the other entries, though!
Thanks, Beatrice! Please share ANY other questions you have. We want to stay relevant and the only way we can do that is if we keep hearing from you & the rest of the community. Thanks again!
I’m so glad that this is helpful! One of the big reasons I was excited about starting Paper Wings with Chris was to get a lot more of this kind of information out to my readers. People ask me for advice on the industry all of the time, but there’s only so much I can write in an email or a deviantART message, lol. With the different episodes & topics, we can get a lot more thorough. Thanks for listening to the show!
And I hope you enter!!
Would breaking a habit be just like forming a new one?
I too am constantly in the rut of trying to string along small, low-paying gigs that just don’t seem to have the initial push to get them started when the clients say/I’d like. In turn, my schedule becomes an unpredictable mess and I get leery about taking on other work for fear that one of the slow-starters will suddenly pick up (which usually happens, of course).
I just can’t seem to make myself “give up” these flimsy gigs once I’ve committed to them. Do I need to just start picking up dubious jobs and turning them down once it takes more than a few days to get them started, for about six weeks—just to get my mind more used to cutting off clients who string the starting process out even longer? =D
It’s definitely a bad habit of mine—putting too much good faith in projects moving along at a decent enough rate to pay the bills. I’ve slowly been shaking it off for the last several years, but I can’t help but feel there’s got to be some way to just quit it cold turkey, without further screwing up my necessary income.
Also, I’ll definitely be making an effort to enter the challenge! Assuming I can start doing better at managing my time (with plenty of helpful advice courtesy of the PW Podcast, of course!) I’d like to at least make an effort!
Michael, this was happening to me a few years ago and instead of turning down work I just took every job that was offered to me and outsourced whatever I couldn’t handle.
(But there’s still a line there – I still only took jobs where the pay was reasonable.)
The clients never had a problem with me using outsourcers because I was still so involved in the process (more as an Art Director who made a final pass of painting to bring it up to the level that I would deliver had I done 100%of the work).
Sure, it’s stressful to manage a few different freelancers at once but it’s better than being stuck in a rut and definitely less stressful than doing all of the work.
And on one of the jobs (a Children’s book series) I was matching a pre-determined style so it really didn’t matter then.
If you can deliver quality work and ultimately make more money and have more time, then outsourcing is worth it.
(RE: Your note about breaking habits. Sure, but not all habits are bad. We only want to break the bad ones. We replace bad habits with good ones.)
Thanks, Chris!
Outsourcing is something I’ve considered, but I’ve just never thought I have the pull to bring in an artist willing to help me out with foundation work. Or should I simply not factor in that much self-awareness?
I’d love to be able to collaborate more on labor-intensive projects—I just want to make sure I can afford to pay someone for their base work, which seems hard when I feel like I’m barely scraping by on the pay I’m getting directly from the client for the work as a whole.
I often break a lot of my own guidelines as far as how much work I’m willing to do for what price—I’d feel a little shady asking friends and colleagues to pitch in when I feel I’m already underselling the final product just to get the job.
I’m often having to take on lower-paying (but livable, if barely) jobs just because I get turned down on more comfortably-paying jobs—gotta have SOME kind of money coming in, right?
I understand what you mean RE: Low-paying jobs.
But even if you feel you absolutely *have* to take a low-paying job you can probably negotiate a better price. Would the client agree to work for – let’s say – $2 an hour?
If not, then they shouldn’t ask you to do the same. If they can’t afford to hire anyone then they shouldn’t be hiring anyone – know what I mean? If they really believe in the project they will pay a fair price.
And if the art jobs pay less than $25 an hour (low), I think most artists are better off spending all of their time on personal work and just getting a non-art-related day job. That way, their craft improves and they can focus on creating products to sell on their own websites.
And about low-paying jobs that you outsource – I have taken jobs in the past that paid way too little and I had to hire outsourcers to finish the work. I ended up giving the outsourcers the entire budget for the work so I didn’t have to deal with the guilt of taking a cut from an already-rock-bottom price.
Thanks again, Chris!
I’ve been thinking that picking up at least a part-time day job might be in my best interest. I just need to wean myself away from the smaller projects so that the art I do produce after said job has more passion and meaning to it.
It’s so great getting advice from fellow artists on the “earning a living” side of art, not just you and Lora, but the whole community here as well. This podcast is only the third I’ve ever subscribed to—I already feel like the information being shared around here is benefiting me, little by little. I know I’m not alone on that! Thanks again for the generous offerings of insights and the continued dialog with the rest of us!
Thanks for another excellent show. Thanks Lora for that tip on using ical as a time manager. I am going to start blocking out my work like that. I think when you get things out of your head and put them on paper or the computer you can see it more objectively.
I only started this recently. My husband had been trying to get me onto it for a long time, but sometimes I’m resistant to change, lol. I’ve noticed though in the time I’ve been using it that I’m so much more peaceful, and stress free. I can see blocks of time to accomplish everything that needs done, and so on Monday, I’m only worrying about Monday.
It’s awesome!!
Hey thanks again for a great episode!
I’ve already submitted my entry for the contest.
Also, I put into practice one of the ideas you suggested. I’ve cleared my workspace of all the projects that I’m not working on, and now I only keep out the projects I need to get done for the day. So far it’s working great. Thanks for the pointers!
Yeah, one thing I failed to mention on the podcast was that I actually keep not just my computer on, but also whatever file I’m working on open and ready to go. I don’t close everything out to go to lunch, or break for dinner. It’s always open and ready to work on all day long. So… if I’m boiling water, I can work for 10 minutes then go throw the pasta in, and come back and work for 10 more.
Those little bits of time add up!
Yeah, I do the same thing. I just close the laptop screen with my project still up, so that when I open it again, I can be right where I left off. I find that if I minimize the screen and close the laptop, I’m more likely to get sidetracked for awhile and forget I have artwork to finish, so I just leave the programs open on the screen.
I’m planning to enter the contest – why not. should be fun.
Awesome. Can’t wait to see what the great Jason Pruett comes up with!!
The Jason Pruett!? No way. Now I’m pumped 😉
Another inspiring episode Chris and Lora, a lot of great insights in to getting more organized and being more productive. I am definitely interested in this contest and will do my best to realize its potential. Should be fun!
All the Best.
I can’t find the release form for the wacom contest, could someome please direct me to it?
Hello Chris and Lora,
Thank you for all of the information and pointers!!! I have a crazy creative life on my side and I am one of the worst people for organization. I am a graphic designer by day and a husband to an amazing wife and father of two awesome children at home. We started to look at adding freelance opportunities to aid in paying off my crazy ($49,000) school loans and we are a single income family. Whew!
Then, I was recently given an opportunity to help a friend of mine who is an aspiring comic/film writer with an independent project. It started out as a simple graphic design gig and he had a team of artist working on the rest. Then, as with many creative projects, drama happen and his promotions person and penciler walked. With two people down he called me as a friend and asked for my advice and increased involvement. He was hoping I would pencil the book. Holy hello!!! Talk about a crazy schedule! I told him that I could only commit to helping through the submission and if accepted by Image or Dark Horse, we could move on from there.
Now the world is a giant clock. I am having to remind myself of all of the things that I spend so much time on. The submission is a 16 page one so that he can show a strong section of the first issue’s story. I am putting out work that he is thrilled about but the pace is sub par and my biggest concern is my page rate. I don’t know whether or not it is going to improve as I get further accustom to drawing more often or if I need to dedicate more time (something of great value with me).
How long to yourselves and others on the blog spend doing a single page or piece of art and has your rate increased steadily or quickly as you fell further down the rabbit’s hole?
Oh by the way! I will be shooting for the contest, one of those quotes spoke to me when I read it and I need to finish that conversation. Thank you all for what you do!!!
Take care!!!!
Captain Dutz
Wow, I have been on vacation and I so late to the game here! But Man, Chris and Lora, what a great episode! You two have opened my mind up even more to what I can do to work smarter. Really all I feel I can do is add my 2 cents to encourage other artists out there to adopting the digital workflow. I used to only use it for coloring, now it is for everything. What really converted me was reading the book “The DC comics guide to DIGITALLY DRAWING Comics” by Freddie E Williams II. His book sold me on how I could make it happen, and it is full of tips, tricks, and methods to utilize digital programs like photoshop,and sketchup. It also teaches how to use a Hybrid Method if you’re shy of going all digital. One day, I’d love to do all traditional pencils, but right now, I have to be realistic. An all digital workflow will produce beautiful results faster. Well, that’s all I wanted to encourage, can’t wait for the next episode!
Oh yeah, just wanted to say that I am totally going to participate in the sweet contest to win the WACOM Intuis4. Conceptual art is a challenge for me, but It’s worth a genuine try!
Great episode! I plan on participating in the contest as well. 🙂 Doing thumbnails as we speak!
Hi guys,
I’d just like to start by sayig im really glad ive discovered your podcast, it really is an inspiration to me, from two very genuine down to earth real profesionals.
You can count me in for the competion, it would be a crime not to enter with such a cool prize up for grabs.
I really enjoyed this episode, and i definatly agree that if other parts of your life are clutered its very hard to find time to get creative.
Im an aspiring comic book penciler/artist but its only been in the last year that my love for the medium has been re-ignited. My childhood dream was to draw comics but i never considered it as a viable career.
I was only 15 when i left school and i went straight into work as an apprentice plasterer in construction with my father, following in the family footsteps as he did with my grandfather. I felt like i had to follow in the family trade and somewhere along the lines of doing a full time manual job my dream of doing what i loved as a child, where forgoten.
Ive only found the time to persue my love of drawing and comics due to recent back surgery, so ive had a lot of free time on my hands which ive never really had, and though going through back surgery was a terrible experience its made me realise that time is precious and money and work are not the main things in life, if you want to follow your dreams then i think its important to try and find time to do the things you love.
Now ive made the decision to quit the family business after 14 years and really apply myself to making it as a comic book artist, i really think this is the only way im going to be able to put the hours in to get where i want to be, time is the most important thing we have after all.
Im really only just discovering the world of digital shortcuts but anything that gets us those few extra precious moments is a plus in my eyes. I think even small things like having all your bills come straight out of your bank with direct debits ,is one less thing to worry about can really help.
I hope to have my blog/website ect all up and running soon and would love to meet like minded writers/artists through this wonderfull communtiy you are creating.
Keep up the great work Chris and Lora ( Lora your work is amazing btw)
Your new biggest fan from not so sunny England 😛 Dominic
I just got to listen to this podcast before noticing there is a newer one up. But I am planning on putting something in the contest.
Hi guys! Thanks for another inspiring and informative talk! I’ve been following Lora since her character design of Col. Knowlton got a daily deviation on deviantart (say that tens times faster) and it has been a real treat for me to not only see her art flourish these past few years, but to also be introduced to other inspiring artists like Chris.
All of these podcasts have been extremely helpful to me. I remember a guy on Chris’ ArtCast saying that even when we go and get a degree in art, there’s always something those classes don’t teach us. For me, I’m getting a degree in Studio Art (general art degree) at Humboldt State University (CA), which is more well-known for their Environmental and Religious Studies degree programs than anything else. So even though I am loving the experience, I still don’t learn about how I’m supposed to put together a portfolio, etc. I really am grateful for your guys’ sharing of knowledge!
As for the WACOM contest, I am thumbnailing away at this moment. Lately I’ve been slowly reading my way through Andrew Loomis’ books and realizing I need to do a lot more prep work before I start a piece; I’m much too impatient and I believe that may be what is contributing to my frustration with finishing projects. We’ll see how this goes!
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my
zynga group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you
Even the tiniest changes in materials can speed you up. For example, it really makes a difference when I use a new pen instead of one that will still draw but is almost running out.
Me and my girlfriend have been using Trello to organize our little art training tasks for each week for a while. To keep our inspiration and motivation not getting rusty from our office daily work. We are using it for 3 month now. (And this stays the longest period of time for any of our art training project without dying down!)
I recommend using Trello for its flexibility and easy to use. You create your own to-do cards for each week (or day, month, whatever) and keep updating your progress. And everyone on your board can helps commenting your work along the way. Pretty much like a sticky notes on your fridge.
Here’s a link if anyone interested:
https://trello.com/home
Nice post. Enough sleep is very good for improving productivity. Personal user a time manager EfficientPIM help organize all the things together and get improved.
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