Let’s be honest—creatives are some of the busiest, most distracted people on the planet. We have a million ideas and enough energy to chase about 17 of them… before noon. But that big, important project? The one that actually matters? Still untouched.
Why?
Because we’re being ambushed daily by time zappers.
Time zappers are those sneaky little activities that feel important—maybe even productive—but they’re secretly draining your time, your energy, and your momentum. You know the ones:
Here’s the hard truth:
Distraction is the enemy of progress and focus.
When you fill your day chasing tiny, glittery goals that don’t move you forward, your real dreams get left behind. You might feel productive, but you’re actually just staying busy. And busy doesn’t build anything lasting.
Let’s talk about the fix.
If your goals don’t live on your calendar, they’re just fantasies.
“I’m working on a new collection” is a dream.
“I have a show on October 1st and I’m releasing five pieces by then” is a goal.
You need to book your goals like they matter—because they do.
Don’t just calendar meetings and dentist appointments. Block out real time for your creative work. Put your painting sessions, your writing days, your project launch prep on the calendar like they’re non-negotiable. Because they are.
Here’s the trick most creatives miss:
Your deadline should feel slightly terrifying.
If you don’t need God's help to accomplish that deadline, then it’s not soon enough.
Make it sooner than you want. 10 years from now puts no fire under you to focus! And for most of us even 1 whole year is too long.
Let the pressure activate something powerful in you. When the clock is ticking, you focus. You trim the fluff. You get serious. You stop scrolling and start producing.
Example: Goal - I will write the first draft of my book in 60 days by writing for 1 hour 5 days a week from 6am - 7am. (That’s 40 hours of work!)
Look at the tasks you’re doing each week and ask yourself:
Does this move me closer to my core creative mission?
Does it align with my values and calling?
If not, why are you doing it?
Every “yes” to something meaningless is a “no” to something that matters. If your calendar is packed with distractions wearing fake productivity costumes, you’re going to burn out—and still feel like you’re getting nowhere.
Your time is just as sacred as your creative energy. Maybe more.
So treat it like your best canvas.
Don’t smear it with busywork.
Don’t let fear or fluff waste it.
Protect it like your purpose depends on it—because it does.
Now, go. Look at your calendar. Trim the fat.
And put the real work where it belongs: front and center.
Put on your calendar - FOCUS TIME!
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