2x4: An Interview with David Sparks

two×4: One series that examines ii topics, creativity and productivity, by request those who make things on the web the aforementioned four questions on both subjects.

David Sparks does a lot. Like a lot, a lot. His Mac Power Users podcast (along with Kaity Floyd) can transform the fashion you use your computer, specially the two Merlin Mann workflow episodes. His blog, MacSparky is a wealth of geeky goodies, I'm especially partial to his magic trick with iThoughts Hard disk and Scrivener that fabricated writing large projects faster and easier. His books are ideal starting points for using both your Mac and your iPad at work. Oh yes, and if that wasn't plenty, he has a family unit and a full-time career as an attorney. In other words, the human being does more than inform, he inspires in the best way possible, with his piece of work.

I've been a fan of David's for a while now. Anyone even vaguely familiar with his work should expect an informative improver to this series (and I think you lot'll agree that it is). What I wasn't expecting is just how bold of an approach he takes to his creative piece of work. I could continue to geek out, only without further ado, here's David Sparks:

Creativity

Take you always considered yourself a artistic person?

As long equally I tin can remember, I've been infatuated with the artistic procedure. The act of transforming some nebulous concept from my mind to something feels like magic and still amazes me every time information technology happens. Whenever I get in a estrus, creating something pulls me out.

What mediums and inspirations do you gravitate toward to realize your creative goals?

There really is no limit to the mediums I work in. I write. I play music. I pattern and build furniture. I practise geeky things to Macs. I consider myself an creative person in every aspect of my life (fifty-fifty my legal cases). My only limitation is my time. I just wish I had more fourth dimension to explore more than creative mediums.

Equally for inspiration, it really depends on what I'one thousand doing. My two biggest musical inspirations are the '50s jazz scene (Monk, Bird, Dizzy, Miles) and Impressionist era classical music. With article of furniture, it is the craftsman motility and on my Mac, I'grand inspired by my very many vivid friends. I wouldn't even know where to start on all my writing inspirations.

If you had to point to one thing, what specific posts or creations are you most proud of and why?

Whatever I'm doing next is going to be my greatest creation. I'm not good at looking backward when information technology comes to my work. I move on quickly. When I was in loftier school I did these recordings with a Jazz Quartet that were pretty good. Several years afterward I threw them out in a fit of anti-nostalgia. That probably wasn't a very skillful idea (and role of me really regrets that) but at the same time that behavior is completely consistent with my personality.

Any suggestions for those who feel they may not be creative enough to unlock their inner creative person?

Wreckless abandon. Honestly, I don't go how people tin can go hung up on this stuff. Plough off the TV and create something. You lot could write a song on an iPad without a lick of musical grooming. It is so much more fulfilling than sitting like a slug in front of American Idol. Put yourself out there. Life is too short.

Productivity

Tin y'all draw your current personal and professional responsibilities?

I'thousand a husband, a dad, a lawyer, and a MacSparky something or other. Each of those jobs comes with their own special drove of joy, satisfaction, tedium, and tears.

How do you lot go most balancing the personal, professional, and digital?

Balance is the difficult part. I detect saying "No" helps. I am much more happy nailing a few things than screwing up a lot of things. The problem is I accept and so many interests, picking those few things is really hard. To exist perfectly honest, I suck at proverb no. I am, however, trying to get better at this.

What tools and techniques do you find yourself counting on to get through your workload?

I discover technology a large help in this regard. OmniFocus holds me together. I too utilize a rat's nest of project planning, mind mapping, and outlining software to keep track of and on meridian of whatever I'm up to. The iPad and iPhone are, in my opinion, Form A planning tools. They've actually improved my game.

What is the all-time starting signal for the unproductive amongst us, who are looking to get more organized?

Spend a niggling fourth dimension figuring out why things are a mess. Sometimes information technology is not a question of getting organized just cutting crap out of your life y'all're not passionate about. Next, make a programme. David Allen's Getting Things Washed struck a chord for me which is keen, because in that location are some really fantastic GTD tools out there. Finally, don't be and then hard on yourself. Start small and exist forgiving when you fall off the wagon. This stuff is hard and people are, in general, much too harsh on themselves.

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Source: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/2x4-an-interview-with-david-sparks.html

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