I’m not an especially organised soul. That’s not a confession. Confession implies guilt, and I don’t feel the least bit guilty about it. For years now (perhaps millennia?) we’ve been urged — oftentimes with near religious fervour — to get organised, to be more organised. Proponents and proselytisers of the be more organised movement would have us believe that being more organised somehow makes us better people; makes us more fulfilled, happier, even.
Of course, being more organised has its place. In fact oftentimes organisation is thrust upon us, and work and family commitments mean that being organised is not a choice. But beyond the imperatives, we need to make room for chaos. Robots and other automaton are exceptionally well organised and efficient, but they’re not too hot when it comes to creativity.
I think it’s worth setting aside (a contradiction, perhaps?) a little chaos time — time that is not constrained by to-do lists and efficiency-inspired aspirations; a time to procrastinate, to laze, to think (about anything and everything, or nothing), and to do so with impunity, and without the condescending tut-tut of conscience ringing through our heads.
And, though much in life dictates, necessitates the organised, if we make time for that inexplicable force that lies at the root of even the most complex, then perhaps, maybe, we’ll be that much more creative.
Just a thought.
8 Comments
John, great thought. I haven’t been able to point my finger on it quite like you have here, but setting aside chaos time is a matter of health. I’ve seen people consumed by their schedules, and when they do hit a momentary “chaos break” they’re dumbfounded, and often worried they’re not being productive or should be.
Thanks for sharing, I’ll be chewing on this nugget for a while I’m sure.
Peace,
Jason R.
(Oh, btw, love the submit “button” on this form. Clever! :)
Great post. As great as it is to feel accomplished by checking off those to-dos is sometimes even better to just fall into chaos for a bit. It’s important to be able to know what to do to bring enjoyment to oneself without having a schedule.
I was talking about this with a friend today, we were speaking about freelance designers being overworked and not getting time to persue their creative desires outside of their clients books. I said that for me the big thing I learned last year was from 37 Signals — Getting Real, launch smaller, launch quicker. This is where chaos can fit in. What would a handmade paper lampshade made from parcel paper look like in my room > Well, perhaps just taking that line of chaos thought and giving yourself 10 minutes to sketch it, get the materials ready, make some notes — damn it, even make one. It helps the sole.
Keep it going John, your a working beast
Footnote: I got distracted from a HTML email campaign today and ended up making a lampshade for a while. The joys of being your own boss I guess
I revolve around what I call a “very complex organization” (what other people call a mess).
That way, it’s a little bit of chaos all day long…
Thanks for the thought.
Good post John. I find that if I have a to-do list my mind is wholly occupied with fulfilling that list. I tend to be at my most creative in those chaos moments, where you seem to be thinking of…well, nothing.
I’m in the same boat with Raphael. There is somewhat a method to the madness I call organization. It does get a bit out of hand, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I am obsessed with keeping my possessions organized to a fault. OCD at work. But I struggle to apply any sort of organization to my daily activities. I’m often a chaotic mess.
Not sure if it works for me yet, though. I need to find the proper balance.