Time Management for Creative People
by Mark McGuinness
Trying to be creative but stay organized as well? This book can help. Its purpose:
Organisation, structure, discipline and habit – these often seen as threats to creativity. Not to mention corporate-sounding phrases such as ‘time management’ or ‘workflow’. We like to think of creativity as a space for untrammelled imagination, free from all constraints. Yet while freedom, rule-breaking and inspiration are undoubtedly essential to the creative process, the popular image of creativity overlooks another aspect: examine the life of any great artist and you will find evidence of hard work, discipline and a hard-won knowledge of the rules and conventions of their medium.
The Web: Hidden Games
by C. Weng
This ebook looks at the game-like attraction of Digg, YouTube, and Facebook and how to "win" at them, specifically, how to succeed at the interactions that these sites enable. The section on Facebook is probably the most important to those in the performing arts. For those of you who doubt the power of Facebook, ask anyone who works in the arts in Toronto and has noticed greater attendance at events (Tapestry's Opera Briefs 7 sold out largely because of a event listing that went viral) and greater engagement with audiences this season. The Facebook section starts on page 84 and covers both the basics of setting up an account and the ins-and-outs of succeeding in your social network:
Game-wise, Facebook is more comparable to The Sims rather than let’s say, Mario. The object of the game is more to monitor or to guide characters in daily life rather than to win at something. There’s no simple goal in sight but it is all about the process of playing. Since the site is all about the experience of keeping in touch, it has maximized customization and features to make doing so more enjoyable.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check out Digg.
Regarding "Time management for creative people", I think Mark makes many valuable points. Most of my existence on this planet has been reacting to interruptions without prioritizing my own goals, which even affects me as a musician. I also have started using a "Getting things done" software to help me organize my life, including my practice regimen. Practicing music that is "important, but not urgent" is a really powerful idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these e-books.
I'll have to check these out. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteRM
Chris - thanks for the link! much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteBen - glad to hear you found the ideas of value.