The Sustainably Creativite tools: the little and often mantra

This is the third in a short series of posts looking at the tools I use to stay sustainably creative. You can read the rest of the posts in the series here

A couple of years ago a friend told me that his secret for getting so much done (I could never do more than watch in awe at how much he does!) is that he regularly repeats to himself the mantra, “little and often”.

Taking the phrase to heart

I took the phrase to heart and adapted it for my own energy constraints. Perhaps you could too.

Regular focus

Whilst I can’t hope to match my friend’s productive output I can in my own small way emulate his zeal for regular focus. “Little and often” is for me a gentle reminder to keep moving forward using small regular steps. If I can remind myself to focus on my Important Work in small ways on a consistent basis things just get done.

So I mutter “little and often” to myself throughout the day. Sometimes it acts a reminder to pick up my used mug and put it in the dishwasher so I don’t end up with a desk covered in tea drinking related debris (!), sometimes it’s a reminder to pick up my lovely new iPad and make a start on a drawing and sometimes it’s a call to action to add a few more sentences to the current blog post I’m working on.

A sense of momentum

What’s important about “little and often” to me is that is reminds me that “little” really can mean very little (perhaps just 20 minutes of activity on a good day, less on a not so good one), and “often” means consistently and NOT constantly–it allows space for rest and reflection whilst still providing for a gentle sense of momentum.

Five reasons you might want to adopt my friend’s “little and often” mantra.

1. It creates a sense of momentum.
2. It helps create a sense of feeling on top of things (it’s amazing how much better I feel since I’ve learnt clear away my tea mugs!).
3. It allows room for rest and relaxation.
4. It’s a contant reminder not to overdo things.
5. It encourages short term focus on one thing at a time (the VERY best way that I have learnt to get things done).

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You can read more about how to maintain a sustainably creative life in my recently updated ebook, Sustainable Creativity.

The book has a suggested price of $15 but you’re welcome to pay how much or how little you would like. Just pop the amount in the price box at the checkout and click “update”