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Illustrator's Growth Diary

For those who can't keep creating! How to move forward little by little every day with task management based on energy

Pochi

Don't you have days when you want to keep creating, but things just don't go as planned?

I was like that for a long time too.

I've tried using task management apps, making schedules, and telling myself, "I should be able to stick with this!" I've tried many times... but the result is always the same.

I can't keep going.

But one day, I found out through an MBTI personality test that I was an “INTP” (Logician type), and everything clicked into place.

This typeI'm really bad at time management.

Rather than "what to do at what time" “You'll get significantly better results by acting on what you want to do *right now*.That's right.

So, the reason I've struggled with time management is, It's because I wasn't suited for it by nature.

So, what I tried there was: “Choosing tasks based on the day's energy” method.

This fits me surprisingly well, and has made my creative process much smoother.

Today I'll show you how with a specific example of my task.

This should surely be helpful for those struggling with creative blocks.

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Make Creativity Easier with Four Energy Bands: I'm Sharing My Task Classification

Creative endeavors don't progress the same way every day, "I can draw today." "I can't think today."etc., and conditions vary greatly depending on the day.

So, I divide my daily condition into four “energy bands” and choose only tasks that suit that day.

  • High Energy: Animation and Illustration Production (Drawing Day)
  • Medium Energy: Blog Update (Days I Can Write)
  • Low Energy: Blog Organization/Office Work (Light Day)
  • Ultra-low energy: Input (Rest Day)

By dividing them into these four categories, you'll eliminate the time spent wondering, "What should I do today...?" and be able to choose only the tasks that suit the day.

I'll go into more detail later about how to determine the energy for the day.

per energy bandSpecific taskand “Things I Won't Do List”

per energy bandSpecific taskand “Things I Won't Do List”

From here, I will introduce "Energy-Based Task Management" that I actually use.

This is just my case, butCreating your own list allows you to make the most of your high-energy days without wasting them.

And just as important is, “Make a ”to-don't" list.

If you do low-energy tasks on high-energy days, you'll be wasting your prime creative time.

Of course, there are exceptions if the deadline is near, but generally, avoiding it will dramatically increase results.

✔ High energy (days I can draw)

  • New Animation/Illustration Draft
  • Rough
  • Line drawing
  • Paint
Actions that are better not to do (or cannot do)

Blog post draft

Blog headline/title request

Blog Upload

Anime editing and subtitles

Folder organization

Social media update

Input systems

Don't do anything but draw. The golden time for creation is best spent entirely on “drawing.”

✔ Medium energy (days I can write)

  • Blog post ideas
  • Ask AI for headline/title
  • Draft of the main text
  • Rewrite request
  • Blog Upload
  • Anime editing, subtitles, upload
Actions that are better not to do (or cannot do)

New animation line art

New animation coloring

Roughs for the new animation

New movement test sketch

Deep detail

“Drawing” is too heavy. Collaboration with AI is optimal.

✔ Low Energy (Light Tidy Up Day)

  • Insert blog image
  • Folder organization
  • Social media update
  • I'll draw a rough sketch.
Actions that are better not to do (or cannot do)

Blog post draft

Headline/Title Request

Rewrite request

Blog Upload

Anime editing

Subtitle creation

Line art and coloring

“If you limit yourself to just a light tidy-up, you can proceed without strain.

✔ Ultra-low energy (input day)

  • Input
  • Listen to music / Read a book
  • Just one note.
  • Gathering ideas while walking
Actions that are better not to do (or cannot do)

All productions

Blog Update

Folder organization

Social media update

“Make” type is zero. Input only is okay.

"Today's Energy Verdict" Decided in 3 Seconds Each Morning

Based on how you feel and your physical condition when you wake up,Every morning, I decide my "energy zone for the day" in just three seconds.

There's nothing difficult about it; you just ask yourself questions in order from top to bottom.

  • Can you draw a picture today?High energy
  • Can you focus a bit and get some work done?Medium energy
  • Can you do a light tidy-up?Low energy
  • Can I only input?Ultra-low energy

With just these four questions, you'll instantly know how far you can get today. You'll eliminate the indecisive "What should I do...?" time.To be able to choose only the tasks that suit you on that day.That's the key point.

You don't need to push yourself too hard. By simply choosing tasks according to your energy levels, creating becomes surprisingly easier.

Three Reasons Why Energy Fuels Creativity

The workload becomes manageable.

Everyone has probably had the experience of thinking, "There's too much work, I can't do it!"

But when you think about tasks in terms of energy,Even on days when you can't, you can still make “a little bit” of progress.will become

Even if it's little by little, if you pile it up, it will surely lead to great results.

And as these small successes accumulate, self-esteem increases, naturally fostering a positive mindset of "I'll make a little more progress today."

The foundation for continuing is laid with energy management.

Maximize the creative flow

Don't work on motivationThis way of thinking is spreading, but people still inevitably have ups and downs.

Weather, yesterday's fatigue, mood, physical condition... Your condition is different every day.

That's why,Decide “what you can do today” with a 3-second morning judgment.This is effective. Push through on high-energy days and only do light tasks on low-energy days.

This contrast allows you to ride the waves of creativity.

Not reaching zero even on days you can't do it, that's the greatest weapon for consistency.

You'll no longer be indecisive about choosing tasks, and you'll be able to act more quickly.

The time spent wondering "What should I do today..." is actually a huge waste.

If you set the energy band,You can choose only the tasks that suit you that dayTherefore, hesitation disappears, and the time until action is drastically reduced.

When what needs to be done becomes clear, your mind feels lighter, and your hands start moving naturally.

The hurdle to taking action is lowered, making it easier to continue.

5. Summary: Creating becomes easier when you're energized.

Instead of dividing by time,Choose tasks based on the day's energyThis way, even if you're not good at time management, you can continue to create.

Just make a note of the deadline, and then day by dayWhat can be done todayJust choose one. That alone will allow you to move forward without being overwhelmed.

This is,Task management to maximize the wave of creativityIs.

Also, people who are not good at time management might say, "I'll do this task when I feel this way," How to manage by “events” instead of "time"I think we have a really good compatibility.

I myself have tried various time management and task management techniques, and what I realized in the process is that Knowing your brain's tendencies and energy waves is the most important thing.

From now on, instead of conforming myself to the clock, Choose tasks according to your energy levelsI'm thinking of focusing on the methods.

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Thank you very much for reading to the end.
Thanks to everyone who always reads my work, I can continue to create.

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About Me
ぽち
Pochi
Illustrator
Illustrator.
This blog is my growth diary as an illustrator.
Opened since June 2023.
Starting YouTube in January 2025.
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