Here’s a question I’m often asked, whether it’s speaking at schools and universities or with adults like AIGA, SCBWI, or other acronym groups!

“Where do you get your ideas?”

I used to just joke it off. I would say something like,
“Oh, it’s easy!  I have a magical cat who whispers drawing suggestions to me while I sleep!”

I would give goofy answers like this because I wasn’t sure what to say. 

Where DO ideas come from? How does someone get that little spark that leads to an idea? Or do ideas come more often as fully-formed concepts as lightning bolts of inspiration?! 

I decided to come up with a better answer than a magical cat. I sat and started writing out everything I could about my process as an author and illustrator. It’s something that I’ve been working on now for a few years as an attempt initially to explain it better to others, but now I’ve come up with a list of tools and activities that I can personally go back to when I’m stuck. 

I’ll try to tackle this incredibly huge topic one piece at a time here in this newsletter (and *cough* possibly later in a *cough* different, more AUDIBLE format!) 

Starting with one big thing that gets in the way of having ideas.

Where Do Ideas Come From?

I'll start with this thought.

You can't have IDEAS if your brain doesn't have time to THINK.

THE MYTH OF MULTITASKING

(aka It’s time to give your brain a break)

Have you wanted to work on a story but can’t find the time? Or, maybe you’ve been wanting to be better about keeping a sketchbook diary or have an idea for a project, but you haven’t been able to get it off the ground.

You might be stuck because of this one little aspect of your process. 

Multitasking is when we attempt to work on multiple tasks simultaneously. 

Creative multitasking is when we attempt this with tasks that require cognitive thinking. 

Cognitive thinking means any task you must give attention to, make decisions about, and learn from. 

We tend to think that bouncing around like this is a great way to get more done.

Here's how we picture creative multitasking.

However,
Your amazing brain is designed to focus on one creative thing at a time.

PROBLEMS WITH MULTITASKING.

YOU GET LESS STUFF DONE.

What is really happening is that every time you shift from one thing to another, your brain needs time to catch up to the current task. Switching like this tires your brain out and makes it less efficient. 

• You’re more likely to get tired of the project.
• You are more likely to make mistakes. 
• It can increase stress!

 And the biggest problem:

Your brain isn’t given the chance to have IDEAS.

So, what can we do about it?

1. Set timers.

Use your phone to set timers to create time blocks to focus on one creative task at a time. Focusing on one task at a time allows your brain to focus and fosters productivity. 

Kate Bingaman-Burt sets 2-hour timers for writing. You can read her newsletter here.

2. Wait to check your email.

If you’re like me, you’re probably peeking at your email constantly all day, every day. But why do we do this? What are we waiting to receive? There are exceptions to this, but chances are you can wait to check your email. 

Constantly checking your email (or anything else that is continuously updating, like social media) is pulling your brain away from being able to get bored. That constant attention-pulling tires your brain out, making it less able to problem-solve creatively.

Try this: 

Schedule your email time.
Yes, that might sound outrageous. It goes against everything we think about work stuff. BUT! Allow yourself certain windows throughout the day when you can check your phone. Start with once an hour, and slowly spread out those windows until it’s only a few times a day.

I’m aware that this doesn’t always work in every circumstance. Some jobs require that you check notifications constantly throughout the day. Or, your family situation might require you to be “on call.” If that’s the case for you, find your way of blocking off time to focus. I’m certain there are spans throughout the day or weekend where you can check out for a bit.

3. Work first, doom scroll (or whatever) later! 

I also aim to sit and work before looking at anything else. I like this newsletter from Author & Illustrator Brian Biggs, who likes to sit and write 500 words before checking email.

4. Keep a TO-DO list!

It’s so rewarding to cross things off of your to-do list. Focusing on one item at a time can lead to more things getting done and bursts of dopamine from accomplishing a goal.

YUCK! THIS IS HARD!

I usually focus my newsletter tasks on fun stuff like drawing an animal villain in your sketchbook. That stuff is FUN. This one feels hard and not-so-fun. But this is an essential way of genuinely changing your process to make you more productive. I had to train my brain to work this way, and I’m so glad I did. 

 Thanks for reading, 

- Mike