Productive Creativity - How to Hack Yourself to Create More?
Being creative can be hard. Really hard. You need to post a video, make a newsletter, create a new blog post for a website, record a podcast and not only.
I’m a full-time content creator and help influencers and businesses optimize this content creation process.
Here’s 5 tips on how to hack yourself and create more content with ease.
Video version of this blog post:
1. Create Backup Content
Simple method of releasing tension because of “publishing schedule”.
In 2022 I had a goal to “post one YouTube-video weekly”. And I succeeded in it. I even published 2 videos per week during 4 months. Because I created a lot of content in advance.
When you set this type of goal, use a long-term mindset. Content creation is not bullet-prooved. Can you stick with this publishing schedule if you get sick? If you have a lot of more urgent tasks to do? If you just want to do nothing?
“Ok, I just published a video. I need to start to make a new video because time is ticking. Oh, shit….”
Does it remind you of something? You’re just running in the same circle: “publishing -> production -> publishing”.
That’s why I have a simple solution – create even more content! But this content you won’t publish immediately. This is your backup content in case of emergency.
Using this approach you’re building a new system where you have no need to run like a hamster in a wheel.
Don’t want to create during this week? Open the shelf with backup content and use something that fits.
How many backup pieces of content do I need to create? Depends on your publishing schedule. I recommend having at least 2-4 posts / videos / podcast episodes.
Little reminder – sometimes the best action is to post nothing. If you don’t have strict guidelines or ads to be placed on a specific date, feel free to skip publishing one post.
Don’t step into this pressure circle when you need all the time to produce and release content. It’s ok to have boundaries but sometimes these boundaries need to be adjusted.
Your Life > Your Content
2. Optimize Your Workflow
Sometimes, you need to do work. It’s impossible to do only creative parts of any job if you’re working alone. You need to think about the business side, check numbers, adjust strategy, learn new stuff that is barely connected with the creative part. And that’s okay.
Few small productivity tips how to optimize your work:
- Try to use “pomodoro technique” – set a timer for 25 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes. Repeat.
- Use the “5 minutes technique” – just set a time for 5 minutes and do the hardest task for this time. 5 minutes is nothing. Probably after 5 minutes you will continue doing this task.
- Take more breaks. I work from home so during my breaks I usually do some small home tasks.
Workflow and systems are huge to discuss and I shared more tips in my FREE guide.
3. Delegate Routine Operations
I know nothing about your creative workflow and amount of systems you have in place. But I know for sure – you have routine tasks. Posting, checking analytics, researching, design and more.
I recommend delegating these routine operations and hiring a part-time virtual assistant. Return on investments is huge.
If you post videos, a video editor is a must-have. You will save sooo much time outsourcing this type of work.
To evaluate do you need external help:
- Track your time. Understand how much time you spend on the specific task. I’m using app called Rize (*affiliate link). I get so much data about my time-draining tasks.
- Track your feelings doing specific tasks. If you think that “I don’t like it / It’s like carrying around a heavy luggage / It’s important to do this task, but I don’t want to finish it…” – this is a sign that you need to find external help.
4. If It Is Still Hard, Just Don’t Do it
One of the greatest insights that I got about myself – I’m the type of person who doesn’t like to do only one thing. For example, shoot videos in only one niche. I experimented a lot in 2021-2022 – created 5 digital courses, launched (and closed) a digital store, made more than 50 videos about different topics.
If I have a problem with the topic of a future video, I forget about it and work on something else.
This method is called “sharpen the saw” by Stephen Covey.
When you return to this hard task later, maybe, you will find a solution without blowing your mind. You will find the right words, the right way to shoot a particular scene.
Keep in mind that this is my way of work. Maybe, it’s easier for you to produce one type of content continuously with ease. Find your own approach to work with your creativity.
I think that old-fashioned way full of pain and unneeded struggle is counter-productive.
Again,
Your Life > Your Content
5. Collect Your Thoughts And Ideas
This habit boosted my creativity. If I have new ideas or thoughts for a script, I must write it as soon as possible. I use different methods according to the situation.
When I can use my Macbook, I will use Notion. If I have only an iPhone, I will use simple Notes. If my phone is far away, I will write using old-fashioned paper and pen.
Then I collect everything and copy everything in my Notion database where I manage all my content. Sometimes I write even in strange conditions. A lot of scripts had been written before I went to sleep. If I don’t take these thoughts out of my head, I will lose them plus I will spend an additional hour just trying to fall asleep. So, better to spend 30 minutes writing everything, clear this garbage bin and easily fall asleep.
Win-Win situation.
In my Notion database I have 650+ ideas / references / partly written scripts. I can pick whatever I like according to my mood or present interest. It’s a huge amount of content and I spent several years collecting it. Time and this habit are your friends.
Bonus Tip: Mood Management
Yes, It sounds strange. I want to say that for different tasks you need to find perfect timing. As I said it’s easy for me to write scripts before sleep – at the same time impossible to shoot videos. Video editing is easy in the afternoon.
For different tasks I have different time windows because it’s just more effective.
No need to sit 8 hours a day, trying and suffering while writing a script. If you are in the mood to write it, firstly, track this moment and do this.
You can find a lot of factors which might change your mood and intentions:
- What time is it?
- Is there light or darkness?
- Do you listen to some music / special focus playlist / dedicated app like Endel?
- Location in your home?
- Are you hungry or not?
- etc.
It’s hard advice to implement but really effective. Think and analyze your mood during the day. It will be much easier to do more work spending the same or even less amount of time.
The last advice (and probably the hardest one) – you need to create. You need to invest time in content creation.
Without constant time and energy investing in the process you will have zero created content.
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