How do I stay productive? I do what I want (Part 1)

I grow, evolve and live with no regrets

Can you have your cake and eat it too? of course! Why bake a cake if you can't eat it. What kind of torture is that?

BUT..

My cake is high on protein, fibre and low on processed sugars. Literally and figuratively.

How do I stay productive throughout the day?

I do what I want. really. I don't discipline myself. But I'm not directionless.

The best plan is no plan

Let's say you were Ram Gopal Bajaj from Andaz Apna Apna and look at your hypothetical Super Ideal Plan for the day -

0600 - wake up

0630 - 0730 - yoga

0800 - 0830 - shower

0830 - 0900 - prepare breakfast

0900 - 1000 - consume breakfast, read/watch news, podcast

1000 - 1100 - Riyaaz

1100 - 1200 - prepare scripts

1200 - 1230 - walk break

1230 - 1300 - prepare lunch

1300 - 1400 - consume lunch/socialize

1400 - 1500 - shoot audtions

1500 - 1530 - bathroom break

1530 - 1630 - work on composition

1630 - 1730 - work on production

1730 - 1800 - walk break

1800 - 1900 - mix and master

1900 - 2000 - send/reply to emails, post on social media

2000 - 2100 - workout

2100 - 2130 - shower and change

2130 - 2200 - prepare food

2200 - 2300 - prepare food/watch Netflix

2300 - 0000 - Instagram Live/read books

But I can't. (Btw, I tried something similar. My system crashed)

Here's why this can't work for a creative freelancer/musician -

a) Inspiration to write and create music is not something that can be summoned at any specific hour. Sometimes a song will write itself in 15 minutes. Sometimes it can take months. You have to keep feeding and nurturing it and hoping it grows into something beautiful.

b) There is only 1 loo break, the entire day??

I don't have so much control over my bowel movements. Sometimes you make food. sometimes you go eat outside. Your friends/family might need you at odd hours. You might get an important phone call. You might be so tired, that you want a break. There is no time for binge watching or watching a movie, no time for hanging out with friends, loved ones (except lunch time), no time to practice guitar, piano, teach, write this article, engage with people on social media, market yourself, hunt for more jobs.

c) And what about motivation to work?

You have to have the right mindset to work, the right environment to post or create something. Occasionally, you just want to relax and allow experiences, memories to fill your imagination cup for you to write/create something worth sharing.

OK

Have you seen the movie Parasite? (you should)

A scene from the movie goes -

Son: Before you said you had a plan.. about the basement. What will you do?

Father: You know, what kind of plan never fails?

No plan at all. If you make a plan, life never works out that way.

But how do you live your everyday life then?

Well if you're me, you do what you want.

There is some method to this madness.

I try and start everyday by dancing. My day starts late as I record audio in the wee hours of the morning and shoot anytime during the day when there is sufficient sunlight. When I hear a piece of music or I am spontaneously inspired, I go to the piano and try and write a song. And when I have no motivation or energy, I let my mind run wild and talk about things I care about here or on different social media platforms.

But am I not being unproductive?

I stay productive by giving myself no time to be unproductive.

I keep jumping from one thing to other, yes. But, everything is enriching my life and giving it meaning.

Every task I do is crucial to my existence.

The goal now is to find ways to earn enough from all these things. One door leading to and opening more doors, more learning, more growth, everyday getting slightly better and enjoying this process of discovery.

I would love to get your thoughts, feedback, your stories, things you identify with, you learnt, things you don't. Please put anything and everything on the subject down in the comments section. Let's learn and grow together.