Comments on: In praise of chaos

By: Ryan Ragsdale

Ryan Ragsdale — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:39:17 +0000

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.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:16:44 +0000

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.

By: Owen McGauley

Owen McGauley — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:46:44 +0000

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.

By: Raphael Campardou

Raphael Campardou — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:41:20 +0000

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.

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:10:14 +0000

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

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:08:35 +0000

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

By: Andrew Spittle

Andrew Spittle — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:04:37 +0000

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.

By: Jason Robb

Jason Robb — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:51:13 +0000

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! :)