Engagement is the key to a fulfilling life. Being fully present in the moment and embracing what you're doing as enjoyable rather than a chore can bring immense satisfaction. This sentiment was echoed by Alan Watts who encouraged us to view work as play.
It's been an exhilarating seven weeks since I penned my blog "Breaking the Cycle of Fear and Avoidance: A Neurodivergent Artist's Journey to Embrace Vulnerability and Creativity". I spoke about facing my fears head-on and in another blog I spoke of how I became part of a dynamic online community called the neurospicy accountability partners.
You must be curious about how the journey has been so far…
Meeting My Accountability Partner
When I was first assigned my accountability partner I didn’t have much hope that it would be a productive experience. Working in groups, or one-on-one, has always been a bit of a double-edged sword for me. Especially in the accountability/coaching/entrepreneurial space. I never quite fit in and when I was accepted, I usually did most of the heavy lifting, leaving little time for what I needed to be working on. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the neurospicy group and my amazing partner, Rivka!
Rivka, has proven over and over again to be a great asset. During our first call, we both created our own 16-week productivity schedules independently. The following week, we shared our plans, and I was excited to show Rivka the first six weeks of my schedule as well as learn what her goals were.
By the end of the first six weeks, I had planned to accomplish:
Creating a Productivity Schedule
To create a schedule that would work well for me, I modeled it after a college schedule. This system is familiar and enjoyable for me (I have always thrived in academic environments), and it allowed me to build in flexibility to avoid the overwhelming shame that can come with executive dysfunction. I started the process of tracking my time, energy, and mood levels, and the activities I wanted to be consistent with a month before the group was formed. This gave me a head start on what I wanted to accomplish and how I was going to achieve it.
Each week, I set a deadline for my “homework” for Sunday at 2:30pm, as that was the time my partner and I decided that we would do a deep dive check-in with each other over the phone. I also set a soft daily deadline for certain items that were not a high priority, but I still wanted to make some progress on them.
So…How Did It Go?
As we all know, life never goes as planned, and while there were some setbacks and unexpected opportunities, I am proud of the progress I have made so far. Utilizing our own productivity schedules and holding each other accountable made a HUGE difference. Some days I was so overwhelmed, I did nothing but watch TV. Other days, I was so productive, I accomplished work days ahead of schedule. And then there were days when life got in the way, and I had to reorganize my tasks to fit new projects. It has been quite the journey but I am so proud of myself for what I accomplished in the first six weeks.
In the first six weeks I was able to:
*Was accepted to the synergies program and began the program May 3rd. The program will wrap up June 2nd and so far the group has been great. The program has provided Chaosxanarchy with resources that were unavailable before, such as today's Masterclass on Finances or free access to consulting with a lawyer.
**Will learn in June if I was awarded Susie's Pretzel's Grant of $4,444 (stay tuned for more on this later)
I'm so grateful for the support of my accountability partner, Rivka, and the neurospicy community. They have helped me to achieve more in the past six weeks than I ever thought possible. I'm excited to continue on this journey and see what the future holds.
Tips For Success: How to make this work for you
If you're interested in trying something similar, here are some tips:
- Create a productivity schedule that works for you. This may take some trial and error, but it is important to find a system that allows you to be productive without feeling overwhelmed.
- Find an accountability partner. This can be a friend, family member, or even a stranger online. Having someone to hold you accountable can make a big difference in your ability to stay on track.
- Set realistic goals. Don't try to do too much too soon. Start with small goals that you know you can achieve, and then gradually increase the difficulty as you get more comfortable with the process.
- Be patient and kind to yourself. There will be setbacks along the way. Don't beat yourself up if you don't always meet your goals. Just pick yourself up and start again.
- Find something you are passionate about and make it your work. When you are passionate about what you do, it doesn't feel like work. In fact, you may even find yourself looking forward to it.
- Take breaks. It is important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it is just for a few minutes. This will help you to stay focused and productive. In addition, if you are planning on making a schedule like mine, build in off weeks. I did, and let me tell you that I enjoyed every minute of my week off and because I took it, found myself chomping at the bit to return when it was over.
- Reward yourself. When you accomplish a goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay motivated.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or professional. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it.
Remember You’re Not Alone
I hope you'll join me on my journey. If you're a neurodivergent artist, I encourage you to find a community of supportive people who can help you achieve your goals. You are not alone, and you can do anything you set your mind to.
I believe in you! You can do this!
Breanna, aka chaosxanarchy