7

Lucy Rogers

COLUMN SPARK

o you sometimes get that

horrible feeling of being

overwhelmed by life? For

me, it’s usually by the little

things that I have to think

about before I can even start

to think about the big things. What shall

I wear today? Is there enough toothpaste

left in that small tube for five days away?

Where’s my travel pass? This ALWAYS

adversely affects my making. Or, to put it

more bluntly, I stop making.

Over the last few years of reading and

listening to people, I have found seven

hints and tips that help me – I’ve shared

an overview of them here. I know not all

will work for everyone all of the time, but

please help yourself to any that do appeal.

Seven ‘R’s’ of reducing mental load:

Reduce

• Reduce the number of decisions
  and choice.


• Reduce the amount of physical
  things I own.


• Reduce information – mailing lists,
  post, television.


• Reduce people stress (e.g. I mute
  people on Twitter).

Routine – don’t think, just do.

• I have a ‘uniform’ of jeans, black
  T-shirt, a jacket, and boots. I don’t
  have to decide what to wear.


• Favourites in my online shopping
  are automatically added.


• I do a 30 minute Pomodoro before
  breakfast, and one straight after
  
  
  • one hour’s work done without
    thinking about it (or procrastinating).
  
  
  
  

Right place for everything

• Easiest example is a cutlery tray
  
  
  • knives, forks, spoons always in
    the same place.
  
  
  
  


• For this to work, the things must
  go BACK in the right place too!

Replicate

• I have a laptop power lead in a
  bag ready for trips, and one for
  everyday use.


• Phone charger upstairs and
  downstairs.


• I keep a spare phone battery,
  cables, business cards, pen, and
  notebook in a pencil case – I just
  grab it when going out for a day.

Readiness

• Get my clothes out night before


• Buy train tickets the day before

Write it down – paper lists, apps such

as WorkFlowy, Trello, or pictures such

as Pinterest.

Relax

• Bubble Bath


• Reading


• MAKING!

Note that some of these ideas:

• Cost money, and I know that this
  is not an option for everyone.


• Aren’t environmentally friendly.


• Do not sit comfortably with
  everyone’s idea of what is right.

These are the things that help me

do more making. I’d love to hear what

works for you.

Reducing mental load

Keep your head clear for better making

Lucy Rogers

@DrLucyRogers

Lucy is a maker, an engineer,

and a problem solver. She is

adept at bringing ideas to life.

She is one of the cheerleaders

for the maker industry and is

Maker-In-Chief for the Guild of

Makers: guildofmakers.org

D