Staying Organized and Left Brain or Right Brain Quiz
I often joke that I have adult onset ADD – and I mean no harm or insult to anyone who has actually been diagnosed with ADD. But, I have a couple of problems that make me think that it’s no joke or is something else entirely. I am habitually late for almost everything, I have a hard time organizing myself and don’t make good use of time. It could be that since leaving my full time job several years ago, I’ve assumed the task of running the house, making all the appointments, being the main care giver to my daughter, and am trying to run a small business – make that micro business all at the same time. If I only had to be responsible for myself, I think I’d be fine because I could work when I’m most productive even if that’s 3:00am or dinner time. Therein lies part of the problem – I have to work my schedule around my family’s schedule, both of whom keep normal hours. At this point, I think realizing that there’s a problem is the first step in making everything more manageable and enjoyable for everyone. While I won’t bore you with my day to day family/mom lists, I’ll share some techniques I’ve recently decided to implement in the studio.
Studio Log – I chose the lowly black and white composition notebook because it makes me feel a little nostalgic in a good way.
The other day, I listened to a NPR podcast while walking my dogs in the morning and the topic happened to be ADD and how to help children with ADD navigate through school more enjoyably and successfully. My ears perked up and I decided that I could benefit from some of the strategies mentioned.
- Clean work area to minimize noise and distractions. Check – I’ve cleaned my studio and have also started cleaning my computer files and home, which is going to take considerably longer than a day. Less clutter and dirt helps me find stuff quickly and is better Qi.
- Making Lists of what needs to be accomplished daily, weekly, monthly and yearly and keeping the list visible to help manage time efficiently. I used to be a list maker and have fallen out of the habit, so I decided to start fresh. I’m keeping a list for day to day stuff as well as a studio log of things I need to do and how much time I work in the studio during the week. It’s still fresh, so we’ll see whether this works or not.
- Prioritize tasks. It sounds sort of anal retentive, but in all honesty, seeing the list helps me to prioritize my tasks and obligations. I enjoy the research of starting a new project and am a day dreamer by nature, but those have to be put on hold until I fulfill the tasks on my to do list.
- Take good notes and make observations. This became very apparent to me yesterday when I glazed a few test tiles with a cone 6 pink glaze recipe left over from July. It took me a several minutes to orient myself and to make some educated guesses as to what I was thinking during that process. I’m sure it made total sense at the time, but now that a few months has elapsed between dates, it’s a little foggy. All my notes are a jumble of loose papers and aren’t dated. I mixed up 3 batches of the same base glaze, but didn’t label the containers and had printed 4 recipes that I had placed on top of the containers – but didn’t indicate which of the 4 recipes I actually used. I was able to deduct from my tick marks which one it was in the end – but how much time did I waste in the process?
- Date and mark the time spent in the studio. Seeing the cold hard data is very revealing. I’ve already acknowledged that I work in the studio part time based on the hours available to me right now, so adding dates and hours worked will help with book keeping and also hold me accountable to work at least 20 hours a week in the studio.
- Consult list regularly.
My studio log is separate from my glaze notes and kiln log and I hope it will become valuable as I attempt to be more productive. Here are my most recent entries:
Studio log entries
I also realize that I need to be flexible, adjust the list as necessary and be nice to myself. Yesterday, I had a full day planned in the studio but my daughter and I were both feeling under the weather. I felt better by the afternoon and did get one task checked off my list, but everything else was added to today’s schedule.
On a related note, fiber artist, Lisa Call, began writing an ongoing series on “Scrum Training” and how it relates to making art in August. I have been following her posts with anticipation and am very intrigued by the concept, which is really a framework for managing software development. This seemed like the perfect post to add her insight about scrum and how it relates to the art world. If only I had half as much discipline as Lisa does…she is a single mom of two, works full time as a software engineer, and manages to make a prolific amount of art work in her free time. How does she do it? I think she’s a good time manager or needs significantly less sleep than me.
Meanwhile, creative people are often thought to be more “right brain” oriented while technically minded people tend to rely on their “left brain” functions. I think it takes a balance of both to be a successful artist like Lisa (although the term success is itself subjective). Wikipedia has a good explanation of how the different lobes of the brain function. My daughter gave me a few right brain vs. left brain quizzes last week – and it’s not really surprising that I scored more right brained points than left. It’s no wonder why I need to make lists to stay on top of life! Want to try a few simple tests to see if you’re more right or left brained? Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Quiz 3. Feel free to share your results.
So whether or not I have ADD or my left brain skills are deficient, I hope to be more productive, punctual and conscientious which requires me to unplug a little more frequently. With that said, I’m signing off for the day.
~Cynthia
Brian
September 25, 2008 at 12:38 pm //
Well, quiz 1 and 2 show I’m clearly right brained, but I knew that already. Quiz 3 had me 50/50.
Good stuff on the SCRUM training. I’ll have to read more on that later. It looks like another take on Extreme Programing.
ang
September 25, 2008 at 4:38 pm //
Q1, I’m left but Q2 has me right and Q3 I’m balanced so what does that say about the quizzes? or did I get the questions?? fun thanks.
Hopefully your new journal will show you how much time you can realistically get in the studio.. I usually do wkds apart from wed pm at the club if I can, less distractions that way..
Angela Rockett
September 25, 2008 at 5:36 pm //
I’m slowly getting better at spending more time in the studio (though this week isn’t really a good example of that). I still need to get better at spending more time on the administrative side of things though. I’m curious, do you include both as part of your 20 hour goal, or is that specifically creating time? If so, are they equally distributed between the creating and the other stuff?
Undaunted
September 25, 2008 at 6:09 pm //
Oh my goodness, we must be twins separated at birth! This is so me! My problem is that once I have it in my mind that I want to do something, I have to do it now even if there is something else more important that has to be done (and there usually is).
In the first quiz my right side won hands down. In the third quiz it was closer but the right side still won. But in the second quiz I was convinced it was a trick because every time I looked away she changed direction! How bizarre!
Linda Starr
September 25, 2008 at 8:10 pm //
ADHD ? or not ? – check it out – http://www.southwestblend.com/Robin_Hill/add_adhd.htm – how to get rid of it without drugs.
I think I have a touch too. I related to Undaunted too. Need to spend some time with your post. going to take your quizes now.
Linda Starr
September 25, 2008 at 8:33 pm //
Quiz 1 – right (close)
Quiz 2 – clockwise
Quiz 3 – right (somewhat close)
Barbara J Carter
September 25, 2008 at 8:58 pm //
Oh, that’s fun! I’ve always thought of myself as “both-brained” because I’m good at math and science AND art. Quizzes 1 and 2 pegged me as right-brained, and Quiz 3 left-brained. Seems about right.
Mary
September 25, 2008 at 9:00 pm //
Too FUNNY! Ok Cynthia, you ARE very Creative, one of the more creative people I know! U have alot going on. . .maybe clay needs to take a back seat for awhile? Or maybe you just need to throw something,anything at the wheel, you know that thing that spins around in a circle? and maybe it just needs to be something you need in the kitchen or something you have wanted for yourself for awhile? Or maybe just a BOWL. Something with NO PRESSURE! remember the FUN FUN FUN , it’s missing . . .IMO
LB
September 25, 2008 at 9:50 pm //
Great strategies!!! I am always making lists, and trying to keep my beads organized now…
Anne W
September 26, 2008 at 12:43 am //
Its funny just before I left the Bank, human resources gave us a spiel on “empowerment” (the HR propaganda catch word of the mid 90s), and gave us one of those brain hemisphere tests. The one they gave seemed somewhat more involved than these quickie online ones. In fact, they had a little chart of the brain and they could actually place you in a specific coordinates depending on your degree of left-side vs right-side tendencies. As people handed in their results, the speaker placed little dots representing everybody on the diagram. All the bankers dots were in a neat little cluster on the far left side, and there was my lonely little dot on the far right. Funny. I think I even laughed out loud.
I definitely accomplish more with a written down schedule and lists otherwise I get easily distracted. Once its written down I feel less pressure of having to remember everything by memory and it lets me focus more easily. Having both girls in school now and accommodating their schedules (buses, drop-off/pick up, etc) gives me more structure with regard to a routine. I’m actually on time for appointments more regularly, my workspace is more organized, etc..
A studio journal is really a fantastic idea. I started using a book in the office after losing too many important scribbled notes on bits of paper here and there. I used to have a studio journal years ago, but maybe its time for me to start one again. I already have a designated separate book for glazes and tests. I like your idea of recording your time in the studio. Accountability.
I don’t know if you’re ADD Cynthia. I just get the impression that there is more that you would like to do and say than there is time to do it.
You can’t beat yourself up though. Sometimes going off in a different direction every now and again nurtures the creative process and its just what you have to do.
Cheers
Mary T.
September 26, 2008 at 6:03 am //
I think you are very creative. Look at all the stuff I’ve bought from you in one form or another. Lisa Call is just awesome in her time management and a terrific artist to boot. Neither of these has anything to do with you being ADD or some other label, it is just how it is. I keep lists in my head as they just annoy me if I write them down. For one thing I never remember to mark stuff off and do a lot more than I’d ever put on a paper so it seems sort of redundant to the way I think. But, hey, that’s just me.
Right now you are the only blog I’ve commented on in a couple of weeks, not because I don’t want to, but because I couldn’t resist two classes. The next 4 weeks promise to be busy. Life has a way of prioritizing for us if we don’t when we are younger. Be kind to yourself.
Cynthia
September 26, 2008 at 6:12 am //
Brian – I’m tempted to copy Lisa’s scrum posts and print them out to read at my leisure. It’s hard to cuddle up to my computer screen and take notes. I don’t know a lot about programing, but I’d say you’re right – and programmers are probably more creative than I imagined – dealing with the “big picture”.
Ang – It’s funny you mentioned “getting the questions”, because as I answered these, I tried to be truthful. My daughter, on the other hand, wanted to be “right brained” and was answering to get that score! She is most definitely a left brained person, like her dad. She’s in 5th grade this year and skipped 5th grade math and is doing the 6th grade curriculum this year – and her personality is just so different than mine. (which is a good, we don’t need any Cynthia clones walking around)
Angela – My goal is 20 studio hours a week. My goal for administrative/marketing/networking stuff, including online activity is roughly 30 – 50% of the 20 studio hours which works out to 6-10 additional hours a week. I’ve realized that the reverse is my actual reality – so I’m trying to flip that around.
Linda (u) – I’m very impulsive, so I totally get where you’re coming from. In some ways, having responsibilities helps me temper this side of me. I keep going back to the dancer – I can’t get her to go counter clockwise for the life of me!
Linda (s) – Thanks for the link to ADD/TB Miasm – this is super interesting. As a child, I don’t remember feeling like I had any issues, model student, able to concentrate etc. But, as an adult, I do. Come to think of it, it all started after I quit my job! Maybe it’s the lack of structure. As a substitute teacher and kid’s clay instructor, I see it in a few of the kids (every single classroom with no exception) when they are required to sit still and concentrate for periods of time. But, in clay class – I have noticed that one of the kids that has an attention issue, is so focused and creative when it comes to clay.
Barbara – I think that’s ideal! Balance – it’s what I’m striving for myself.
Mary – I have no trouble in the fun department! That’s never been my problem…I think a big part of what I’ve decided is that I need to unplug more from the computer, in addition to the other strategies I’ve mentioned. I love the Internet, but it’s a real time sucker too. But, I am saying “no” more often these days – I’ve always been a people pleaser, so that’s been a huge leap for me to say no if something won’t fit into my schedule or I’m already maxed out.
Diana – You’re like Lisa too – so organized, work full time and make a prolific amount of work. I’m always inspired when I visit your blog!
Anne – I love all those little tests and ideas HR has! I wonder if those programs are still being developed in big companies nowadays? I’m pretty sure UAL isn’t throwing money at fluff – they’re probably holding contests to see which employees can submit cost savings ideas, LOL. It’s a wonder they’re still afloat. My husband’s company still does little things like that, but not too frou frou. He’s a business analyst – so he would probably consider it frivolous and roll his eyes at the suggestion of a brain hemisphere test! Though, I think they did take the Myers-Briggs test in the past 2 years. I’m trying to remember what I scored on that – ENFP.
The schedule you mention is exactly why I think I need a self correction right now – I have a built in schedule and I’m not taking advantage of it. I’m really working hard at being on time – it’s so inconsiderate to be late all the time.
I’m taking my book with me everywhere I go so that I can add little bits as I think of them, rather than putting them on little bits of paper or thinking that I can remember when I get back home again – that never seems to work for me.
I don’t think I really have ADD either – I always say that there are not enough hours in a day for everything I want to do. And, often when I do have the time, I’m too exhausted.
Cynthia
September 26, 2008 at 6:19 am //
Mary T – we were posting at the same time – I am trying to be nice to myself again. I suppose we tend to be our own worst critics, so I’m trying to slow down and appreciate all the people I run into and daily tasks. Some people never have to make lists, but until I can hire a personal assistant – lol – I simply must.
I’m behind on blog commenting and visiting myself, but plan to do so this evening at a leisurely pace with a glass of wine and my feet propped up on the sofa. No rushing, read every post and enjoy my virtual community. In the mean time, I’m subbing today, so have to jump in the shower now….
Lisa Call
September 26, 2008 at 11:26 am //
Brian – yes – kinda of – scrum is agile project management as is extreme programming – so definitely related. Scrum has less engineering fundamentals stuff included – more just the framework to manage the project.
I was right brained on all 3 but not extremely so. I have tried many times to get that dancer to spin the other but I can’t do it. My left brain won’t take over. Hadn’t seen the other 2 – thanks for the links! Great post (and thanks for the link).
I’m thinking about writing an ebook about the scrum stuff for art to pull it all together – thinking it might be something to do during the remodel if it’s too dusty to make art part of the time. Jim was here this morning with all the subs parading through the house – they talked about your house a lot along the way.
Cynthia
September 26, 2008 at 4:11 pm //
That’s a terrific idea Lisa – about writing the ebook on scrum!
I sure hope that you like your remodel when it’s finished….
Janet
September 27, 2008 at 6:05 am //
I do much better when I declutter and make lists. I dont know if it is ADD or not. But I suspect that it is just that we need to control our creative impulses.
BTW, I told a friend to email you regarding some coding in WordPress.
Cynthia
September 27, 2008 at 6:19 am //
Hey Janet – I received your friend’s email yesterday, but haven’t had a chance to respond yet. So far this week, I feel much better with being able to check items off my list. That may represent a false sense of accomplishment, but it’s helping and I don’t have that nagging feeling like I’m forgetting something and am flying by the seat of my pants.