1. Dr Seuss print from Kongoriver
2. Feels good to get stuff done by Mary Kate McDevitt
3. Creativity takes no excuses from Creativee Something
4. Creativity is contagious by Lono Creative

This morning I sent out a revamped Lime Lane newsletter where I’ve picked a topic that is of interest to me and written about it and shared some links. I included an excerpt here as I really wanted to share it with you and give you an idea of what the newsletter is about. You can sign up over there in the sidebar or via here.

So this week’s {crush} is all about creativity and productivity. And how I tie to the two together in my own life.

From the newsletter:

cre·a·tiv·i·ty/ˌkrēāˈtivitē/

Noun: The use of the imagination or original ideas, esp. in the production of an artistic work.

The other week I posted about creativity {with a mix tape and some links} and as always, a host of other things started popping up on my radar to do with this topic.
For me, creativity and productivity are very closely linked. Why?

I feel productive when I’ve been creative and I can’t find time to be creative unless I’ve been productive.

And like most things life ~ it requires balance.

Today, for instance, as I write this, it’s has not been an unproductive day. I’ve done a load of washing, cleaned out the chicken coop, done some dishes, got a curry into the slow cooker for dinner and did some tweaks to a client’s website.

So why do I feel like I got nothing done?

I know the answer. It’s because I haven’t done anything creative.

I haven’t taken any photos, I’m barely getting started on this newsletter and the long list of “fun” things I wanted to do for Lime Lane is as yet untouched.

Creativity = productivity.

And this is why I’m an absolute sucker for any articles that might help me find my nirvana. A productive and creative day!

• What the most creative people do before breakfast? I’m not a morning person but I do know that sleeping in late is counter-productive to getting things done. There are some great tips here and I know from experiencing that “picturing your perfect morning” is useful in finding out what you actually want to get out of your time.
• Why crowded cafes fire up your creativity? I often dream, on the days when I can’t do it, how great it would be to spend some time at the library or working in a cafe. And I think, on my next available day {no work, kids at school} I should do that. But I never do. Time to schedule that time into the calendar and make it happen.
• 7 things sapping your creativity right now. Or in my case, seven more things. My biggest one is time, and distraction {hello twitter, pinterest, something shiny.} But these are also worth examining ~ sleep and clutter also rank high on my list of issues.
• Why boredom is good for your creativity! Never bored. Nope, me either. But this tells you why. {cue lightbulb.} It also features the words of one of my favourite TV writers Graham Linehan, so I know it is worth reading.
• 5 ways to spark your creativity. This is a great way to finish off and confirms my long-held belief that my best ideas and inspiration come in the shower. Now I just have to find a way to get those ideas down ~ waterproof paper or case for my iPhone?

Now number three talks about “not doing it alone”. Absolutely. So I would love you to pop by the Facebook page {there will be a special post pinned to the top} or email meto discuss creativity and productivity and how you find the time and balance in your life. Do you need to place more importance on your creative time? Or be more productive?

And one last thing, some advice from writer and painter Henry Miller ~ the 11 commandments of writing and daily creative routine which included :

See friends. Read in cafés. Explore unfamiliar sections — on foot if wet, on bicycle if dry. Make Notes. Make Charts, Plans.
Allow sufficient time during daylight to make an occasional visit to museums or an occasional sketch or an occasional bike ride. Sketch in cafés and trains and streets. Cut the movies! Library for references once a week.

You can read more about Henry Miller on brainpickings.

You can read the whole newsletter here.