NickVenturella.com 1-11-15

A Stitch in Time

January 11, 2015

So we’re a good week into the new year; how’s it going?  I’m always optimistic about the beginning of a new year.

Last week we talked about “sprints†instead of setting year-long resolutions that you often end up being unable to keep.  This week I want to share some thoughts around “stitching.† I’m talking about “time stitching,†which is a time management concept that can be useful when you’re rather busy.

Maybe your personal and professional responsibilities are like mine:  I’m a husband and father, I have a full-time marketing management role, I run my own marketing practice with clients and projects, and I am an entrepreneurial professional musician.  All that takes up a lot of time each day and night.  The only way I’m able to do things, like write blog posts, newsletters, new songs for music albums, etc. is by “time stitching.â€

“Time stitching†is utilizing little bits of free time to be productive in short bursts then “stitching†your bits of productivity together for a larger output later.

For example, if I’m sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, I might type out a few notes on my smartphone for an upcoming blog post.  Later, I might be at the gym riding a stationary bike to work out while typing a bit more on my phone for that same blog post.  Finally, after the family has gone to bed for the evening, I’ll finish that blog post and publish it.

I, just like you, don’t always get big blocks of time to write or work on other projects, but taking advantage of little bits of time when you have them can help you “stitch†together various projects.

I’ve found that, for me, it tends to work for small writing tasks or brainstorming new ideas or song concepts I’m trying to work out.

I will say that I think it’s one of my best “secret weapons†for productivity.  It helps me get a lot of things done.  

Do you “time stitch?† Does it work for you?  How do you approach it?

I use the Notes app on my iPhone a lot, as well as Evernote and good old fashioned email to myself.  For capturing song melodies I’ll often use the Voice Memo app on the iPhone.  I also keep a physical journal that I write and sketch in all the time.

Idea generation for creative output is very much a practice.  You only get good at it by constantly working at it.  You’ll often get rough and sometimes not so good ideas, but often you’ll get good ideas or be able to “stitch†together great ideas from all your bits.

Let me know your thoughts.  Have a great week!

Thanks,

Nick Venturellawww.nickventurella.comwww.nickvmusic.netwww.growloop.comwww.tinycareer.comP.S.  Want help coming up with blog topics to fuel your content marketing.  Check out Chris Brogan's Blog Topics (affiliate)