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6 Time Management Strategies for Artists

For years, I've been researching and studying the best ways to balance every aspect of a woman's busy life. In fact, a few years back, I wrote a book called Pick Three, where I talk about getting more done when you permit yourself to be lopsided in a given day, rather than strive to be "balanced" every single day of the week.

But, let’s be honest - this is a daily practice. So, as we start getting into that “back to school” mentality — I thought it would be a perfect time to share some of my time management tips with you.

LFG!

#1: Pick Three

✔️ My mantra goes like this: Work, sleep, family, friends, fitness — pick three. You can only do three of those things well on any given day. It's tempting, especially as moms, to want to get all five of those things done. But the truth is you can't! Instead, by prioritizing and choosing a few things you love each day, you will have the time and energy to be your very best at them.

#2: Combine As Many Things As You Can

✔️ My best time management tip: You can still stay focused on your three goals, while also combining as many things as possible! For example, I managed to find the perfect stroller/bike setup so I can choose family, fitness, and believe it or not - work (taking conference calls!) all at once.

#3: Set Clear Goals and Priorities

As many of you know, running is one of my favorite activities on this planet. After spending the last decade giving it up while pregnant (3x!) and suffering from knee pain (I thought I was done running forever!), I went from starting again cautiously this January and barely being able to run a mile, to now training for my very first (NYC) Marathon in November.

Much of that has been a result of me setting clear goals and priorities.

Without a roadmap, it's easy to get lost in a sea of ideas and tasks. Start by defining both short-term and long-term goals for your creative projects. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Once you have your goals in place, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This not only makes your goals more achievable but also gives you a clear sense of direction.

So while this photo shows a finish line win, it doesn’t show the miles and miles and miles of anxiety, excitement, grit, and yes - time management, that it took to get me there! It certainly also doesn’t show all the people who inspire and support me every day.

#4: Create a Consistent Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to managing your time effectively, especially as an artist. Establishing a consistent routine helps condition your mind for creative work and can minimize procrastination.

As we highlighted in our article on Creator Royalties and from my recent interview with Jack Butcher, I can’t stop thinking about what he said around consistency as an artist.

Designate specific blocks of time for your artistic practice each day. Whether it's early in the morning, during your lunch break, or in the evening, having a set time for creativity can lead to increased focus and productivity. Make sure to eliminate distractions during these periods to make the most of your creative time.

#5: Embrace the Power of Time Blocking

Time blocking is a powerful technique that involves dividing your day into specific blocks of time dedicated to different tasks.

This method helps you allocate time to your artistic practice, as well as to other essential activities like emails, self-care, and admin work. By assigning specific time blocks to each task, you can ensure that you're devoting ample time to your creative pursuits without neglecting other responsibilities.

With running, I block off my early mornings, and often will get up with fellow HUG team members (sometimes as early as 4:30 AM!) to take a class at 5:30 AM, before the start of a long work day.

#6: Embrace Deep Work… A Cautionary Tale!

One of the reasons I love running is because it is place where I can do Deep Work - a technique I learned from Cal Newport’s book of the same title. Deep work is essentially a place that emphasizes the value of focused, undistracted, and concentrated work sessions.

But, sometimes you might go to deep in the zone, as I learned so well a week ago at my half marathon race, where I (literally) went the extra mile…

I was on track to set a new personal best, but then just completely zoned out, missed the turn to the finish chute, and ended up running an extra mile. While I was still proud of myself for eking out a second place finish, to say I felt foolish and frustrated with myself is the understatement of the year.

So while it was not funny in the moment, I am not only laughing at myself now, but I am also proud of what I accomplished that day! Importantly, it shows that deep work sessions can truly lead you to ground-breaking and fulfilling artistic experience.

Closing Thoughts

Effective time management is a skill that can significantly enhance your artistic journey. By setting clear goals, establishing a consistent routine, and embracing time blocking, you'll find yourself more focused, productive, and fulfilled in your creative practice.

Remember, getting better at time management… you guessed it, takes time! Be patient with yourself as you start to introduce and implement these strategies into your life. With dedication and practice, you’ll soon be able to strike the perfect balance between your passion for art and the practicalities of managing your time.

I believe in you!

We think so too.

In the News

Industry News

• Art NFT marketplace SuperRare launched an open curation protocol that allows anyone to stake tokens on an artist, which allows them to earn rewards as an artist makes more sales. The mechanism is aimed at promoting talent discovery and collective advocacy for an artist’s success.

• Art NFT platform Foundation introduced Moments, which elevates the capabilities of their existing curatorial product Worlds, allowing curators to spotlight specific themes, creators, live events, and more.

• German sportswear brand adidas is launching a new digital art program, RESIDENCY by adidas, to elevate emerging artists by providing them with various marketing platforms and opportunities.

• Amidst continued debate around AI, Hollywood A-listers like Tom Hanks have endorsed AI’s cinematic potential at the 90th Venice Film Festival.

Tools and Resources

• AI text-to-video tool Runway is introducing the Creative Partners Program, which provides a select group of artists and creators exclusive access to new Runway tools and models, free credits, early access to new features, and more. Learn more and apply here.

• Adobe Creative Evangelist Kris Kashtanova shares a list of free AI courses for beginners, including the Google’s free learning path on generative AI in 9 courses.

Notable Creators

• Digital artist Refik Anadol will be taking over the exterior of the world’s largest LED screen, the Sphere in Las Vegas. His piece, Machine Hallucinations: Sphere, will inaugurate the Exosphere art program.

• Erick “Snowfro” Calderon, the founder of Art Blocks and creator of the Chromie Squiggle, is minting his final batch of Squiggles, drawing an end to a nearly 3 year journey. Read his thoughts here.

• Singaporean digital artist Shavonne Wong is kicking off her second solo show and her European debut at the NFT Factory in Paris, which features 3 pieces in collaboration with Marie Claire Arabia.

Artist Grants and Opportunities

HUG-exclusive

• 🌎 Take your work to the United Nations in Geneva! We are teaming up with the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) to highlight migrant stories at the International Dialogue on Migration in Geneva, Switzerland. Learn more and submit here.

• ☕️ Enter the Crypto Cafe with 3 incredible artists - Krista Kim, POST WOOK, and Refik Anadol! Join Randi on her SiriusXM podcast where she interviews the leading thinkers in arts and technology. Learn more and submit your interest to join our conversations with the following artists:

  • Canadian-Korean contemporary artist Krista Kim

  • Collage artist POST WOOK

  • Digital and AI artist Refik Anadol (who is taking over the Sphere in Las Vegas!)

• 💰 HUG is offering $500 USD grants to two artists each month in exchange for unminted artwork to raffle off to our community. Learn more and meet all our HUG Visionaries here.

Other Open Calls

• From Barcelona to Paris, HUG Artist Rebecca Rose has compiled a number of other Open Calls for showcasing the work of digital artists. Learn more here.

• The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is awarding the annual Jameel Prize worth £25,000 to moving image and new media work inspired by Islamic tradition. Finalists will get an opportunity to showcase their work in the V&A in London in 2024. Learn more and apply by 15 October.

This Week’s Art Drops

Did you know that these are just 8 of 400+ art drops on HUG? Get a full list of this week’s art drops from HUG here.