I had Creative Burnout. These 3 basic Productivity Tools have helped
These are the only 3 Visual Productivity Systems you need to tackle creative burnout
As a productivity enthusiast and someone who creates content about self-improvement, I’m often overwhelmed by the amount of tools out there that aid you in getting things done!
Additionally, a significant chunk of my job involves testing productivity tools and reviewing them for my audience, as well as introducing them to new ones.
Whenever I get overwhelmed, I go back to these 3 visual systems and I know I can rely on them. In these overwhelming times and creative burnouts, it’s just me, my notebook, and my Google Calendar against the world.
Let’s start with my number one visual system, the Kanban Board.
1. Personal Kanban Board
After a quick Google search, Kanban in Japanese translates to “card you can see”, what better way to describe a visual system? As someone who believes that the process of doing something matters more & brings more joy than the result itself, Kanban boards are my favorite project tracking systems.
Here’s how they work:
Step 1: Visualize your work: The key idea here is that you have to be able to see what you need to do, what you are currently doing, and what you have done.
Step 2: Limit your work in progress: This rule is essential to prevent you from becoming overwhelmed with too many tasks at once, which can lead to stress and a drop in productivity
Step 3: Manage your flow: This rule focuses on closely monitoring the progression of tasks from the “To-Do” stage to the “Completed” stage to enhance efficiency
Here’s how I use Kanban boards (mostly for my work) :
2. Mindmap
Overwhelmed? Just visually link your thoughts. Your notes, pages, journal, etc., anything can be a mindmap.
Mindmaps are an underrated visual system for problem-solving, brainstorming, and note-taking. They were popularised by a British Psychologist Tony Busan, but the concept of mindmaps dated back to Aristotle and Leonardo da Vinci using them.
To effectively use mindmaps, follow these steps:
Step 1: Start with a central idea or theme and place it in the middle of your page. This idea should be the core of your mind map.
Step 2: Imagine each main idea related to your central theme as a branch that grows from the heart of your mind map. Even smaller ideas can become twigs sprouting off these main branches.
Step 3: Let your mind roam free! Mind maps are all about connecting ideas in ways that make sense to you. Be as creative as you can be!
There are so many different types and categories of mindmaps, but this blog is to keep things minimal so let’s stick to the basics.
Xmind recently sent me their brainstorming notebook and I’m excited to put it to use!
3. Time blocking
I just feel more in control when I block my time and put my entire life on Google Calendar.
Time Blocking is a time management technique where you divide your day into blocks of time, with each block dedicated to accomplishing a specific task or group of tasks. There are different techniques for time blocking like timeboxing, themed days, and so on, but here’s all you need to know.
The basic steps to implement time blocking include:
Step 1 Task List: Make a list of all the tasks that you need to complete.
Step 2 Time Estimates — Estimate how long each task will take. This step is crucial in assigning the right amount of time for each task block. (Planning fallacy is often unavoidable so give your schedule some flexibility)
Step 3 Calendar Blocking: Schedule each task on your calendar as if it were an appointment. These are your time blocks. Make sure to include breaks between blocks to rest and recharge.
Step 4 Adjust and Adapt: Review your time blocks regularly and adjust them as needed based on task priority and how long tasks actually take to complete.
Before you go, what do you fall back on in times of creative burnout? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. And if you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it with others who might find it insightful :)
