Being productive: It does not always mean finish everything right now.

People always say they want to be productive and do a lot, like really a lot of things. You have to finish what you are working on before you move on to the next. They often run into that wall that says; "Till here and not further." 

You have to finish what you are working on before you move on to the next.

The best way to be productive

So what is the best way to be productive? For me, the meaning might be slightly different than it is for you. However, often you'll find being productive in what you work on by taking small steps. As for us creatives, we work on many things at the same time. It is in our nature to do so.

Today nothing went the way I wanted it to or at least planned. That is all right because the Universe needed me to be on a different vibration.  I took the car, drove off and suddenly I hear a pop sound. Turnes out, my right tire died. I had a flat tire. I still arrived at my appointment on time. I just switched by taking the bus for a couple of stops. 

I got back from my appointment and immediately started to work on my car. I called the ANWB and they helped me with replacing the flat tire for my spare tire. Could have done it myself but...I was missing a key element to turn lose those bolts. Well, I wasn't missing it, just could not find it. We are driving this car for about 4 months. I just did not search for where all the spare tire tools are. I should have checked that when we bought the car. It would have saved me a lot of time moping around.

• Tip: This is an everyday tip. Make sure you know where everything is you need. Even though you don't need it right away.

When that was done, I drove off to KwikFit and they replaced the tire. At the end of the afternoon, I could pick up my car. What I was doing in the meantime...waiting at the Barista Cafe with a delicious soy cappuccino for my wife Jennifer. She did not have a good day at work, but the Universe had changed my vibration so I wanted to rub that off on her, make her feel better and smile a bit. 

Have you been productive

So, did I work on my writing, photography or videos? To be honest I did not, well not really. I simply did not have the time during the day because the Universe led me on a different path to change my vibration. Is that a bad thing? No, because you always have to let the Universe or God or however you want to call it, guide you. Take you by the hand and show you where you need to be at that moment in time. You will grow this way in being you. Your mental state is getting some rest from all your creative activities and honestly, sometimes you need it. We don't always take that time so the Universe gives it to you raw.

Is that a bad thing? No, because you always have to let the Universe or God or however you want to call it, guide you.

In the end, I still got to work on something. I wrote a short film (Titled: Dead of Night) and challenged myself to write something that will not need too many shots or fancy camera movements. Also, no special effects. Perhaps some practical effects but very minimal. My creativity says that I want and need to create content, whether it is in photography, videos and film (short or long/feature) as many as possible. When my creativity goes into that modus, I sometimes overwhelm myself. It gets too much. This was a nice day of compartmentalizing everything I want to do that comes from my passion for storytelling and visuals.

• Compartmentalize: For me, that is visualizing boxes, with each of them containing a story, idea that I have or project I work on. You can also do this with sticky notes. Everything that I'm physically working on, I put that on the to-do list that I created on Trello.

The Universe showed me that being productive doesn't mean you have to be working on everything you have going on, at the same time. Except when you work on a project with a deadline, then that comes first of course. But it is ok to take on something a little bit smaller and just finish that.

Be contempt when you take those small steps.

Be contempt when you take those small steps. Every small step leads to something bigger. When you feel like you have a new idea while working on something, just write down some keywords or a rough outline. Be productive.