Value and Productivity: Less is More

As I woke up this morning was greeted with a fascinating report from Inc.com about Microsoft Japan doing a trial four day work week for its employees. The results were astounding. Productivity increased by almost 40%, electricity cost savings jumped, and over 90% of the participants reported that they were happier for the changes.

A second article from Inc.com quotes several related studies that show that time spent at work by no means translates to value or productivity. In fact, there is a suggestion that an eight-hour workday may include only around two hours of productivity.

Work is changing. As machines take over more manual labor tasks, I truly believe that creativity and innovation are necessary skills for the future. However, nobody can maintain focus for eight hours straight (or more)!

So less is more. Take a break, take a nap. Eat nutritious food regularly. If two hours of highly productive work is equivalent to or much better than eight hours of drudgery, you absolutely have time to workout or stroll down the road to your favorite coffee spot.

On a side note... I don't find screen time particularly renewing, especially when it's a large part of the work that I do. Whenever I find myself gaping out on the couch, I usually tell myself that a coffee nap is a better idea instead (it's amazing).

Now enjoy this video on the future of work and make some time today to show love to your innovative creative side!

Dragons in my Head: a Battle for Mental Health

Today is a down day, and that’s okay.

I struggle with depression and anxiety. According to the stats, one in four of you can relate.

It’s hard to manage a debilitating mental condition when trying to succeed as an entrepreneur (artist!).  Despite the fact that being self-employed demands focus and discipline, a fast-paced, ambitious schedule seems to be the antithesis to a sane and balanced lifestyle. The very second I try to push too hard, to do to much, my brain cracks and depression and anxiety step in, distorting my thoughts, my perception of reality, time, and the relationships around me. My physical symptoms include sleeping too much or not at all, irrational panic, extreme lethargy, and sessions of manic activity.

Right now, I experience a cycle of one week up, one week down. My ‘up’ weeks are hyper productive. The house is spotless, my writing goals are on point and I find myself eager to engage with the people around me.

But then, just when I think I have life figured out, I crash. I withdraw for a week and hate myself for doing it. I tell myself that I’ll never achieve anything meaningful in life, that I’m lazy, and that I deserve to be miserable. A voice whispers that I’m unattractive, and a distant, uncaring mother.

I fight back by journaling, sharing with trusted friends, maintaining a consistent routine with my medication, and fighting to correct the negative thought patterns running through my brain. I look at my goals and adjust for the coming week. What must be done? What would I like to achieve? When will I rest? What activities restore my soul? How can incorporate these into my life on a daily basis? I  also need to remind myself to schedule flexible free-time. I have found that time is like money, and I need an emergency back up reserve to draw on when things go to sh*t.

And I remind myself that tomorrow will be a better day,

I sketched out this picture on my iPad this week.

Because when those who struggle with mental health lay in bed, doing ‘nothing’, we are warriors, fighting dragons in our heads. To get out of bed, to write, to work, to love those around us, is a heroic act of triumph and courage.

We are mighty.

Feelings Friday

I call every Friday 'Feelings Friday', and I do something crazy. Every Friday.

I stop. For at least two hours. Sometimes more.

No house cleaning, errand running, coffee dates, writing, social networking, working out, yard work, grocery shopping, cooking, bill paying or even Netflix binging. :)

Instead, I stop. I breathe in the silence and ask myself: how am I feeling?

I reflect on the week that I've walked. What are the events that made me uncomfortable, angry or stressed? Why did I feel that way? What made me happy? I give thanks for the good. Understanding that my feelings are meant to give me information about the world around me and my interaction with it a reflect: what do I need to change? Have I overcommitted to something? Have I developed a poor habit that is harmful to my well-being? Do I need to apologize to someone?

I record these things down. I actually use a graph to show my mood swings week to week. This graph helps me to identify stress and triggers in my life. It also reminds me that life is full of 'ups' and 'downs'. When I'm down, I have the chart to show me: things will get better again. :)

I work through the upsets of my soul. Did I have a conflict with someone? Why did that person's actions make me feel that way? What assumptions did I make that are probably false (we are NOT mind readers!)?

I remind myself that my personal value has nothing to do with the work I do, regardless of quality or quantity.

That my value is inherent and unchanging no matter what people say or think of me.

I breathe.

I pray, and I meditate, I let these truths sink into me.

I make a change.

I go downstairs and tell my husband all about it. :)

He sighs and says "I tell you these things all the time! Why don't you just listen to me?"

We both agree that I never listen to him. 

And the week begins again. 😝

Be blessed. 💓

Why Create?

Why?

Whatever passion it is that you pursue, why do you do it? What is it that makes you come back to that thing day after day? What drives the longing?

And what will motivate you to see your passion grow?

Thank you to Jason Brick and the inspiring talk he gave at the Surrey International Writers' Conference this year. His talk "It's not a Book, it's a Business," challenged me to reframe the way I think about writing. I'm mean, I know why I write. I write because:

• of the dopamine hit I get placing one thoughtful word after another. :D
• I have core values of compassion, restoration, and self-care that I want to share with those around me.
• To encourage other creators
• To entertain
• To give hope for the future in a time of unrest

These things are the reasons why I will always write. As long as I have the breath to speak, I want to be a storyteller and to speak creative encouragement into people's lives. The place where I get stuck is that second question, 'what will motivate you to see your passion grow'?

Because the idea of writing for money doesn't get me up in the morning. It just isn't the thing that puts me in the chair in front of my computer.

• But it would be nice to keep flexible hours and be present for my family.
• I wouldn't mind bringing in a paycheck through writing so I can support my family doing something I love.
• It would be great if I could hire a housekeeper to help me out with household chores, so I can focus on turning this part-time hobby into a full-time job.

Ah ha. That's it. That's the one. :) All altruism aside, it would be a dream to make enough money to hire a housekeeper. So I can write even more because it's just so darn fun.

So I'm here this morning. To encourage you to grow and think creatively. To challenge you to discover what your motivation is behind the creative act. And because one day...

I'd like to wash fewer dishes. 😆