How to Stay Productive as an Artist

Discover how to stay productive as an artist with simple strategies and a planner designed to help you organize your goals, time, and creativity.

How to Stay Productive as an Artist (Even When You’d Rather Watch Netflix)

Let’s be real—being an artist is magical, but staying productive? That’s a whole different beast.

When you work for yourself (or even just try to squeeze art in around other responsibilities), it’s easy to slip into procrastination mode. One minute you’re planning to start a new painting… the next, you’re deep in a rabbit hole about dingo conservation and have no idea where your day went. (Ask me how I know.)

The truth is: freedom is amazing, but without structure, it can leave you spinning your wheels. That’s exactly why I created something to help.

👉 The Ultimate Planner for the Organized Artist was designed to help creative people—especially self-employed or part-time artists—actually get stuff done without losing the joy.

Here’s what I’ve learned about productivity (and how this planner helps with every step):

1. No Goals = No Direction

If I don’t write down what I want to achieve, I don’t achieve anything.
I float around, drink too much chai, and feel like I’ve been “busy” but have nothing to show for it.

The planner starts with Yearly Art Goals—but more importantly, it helps you break those down into quarterly and monthly steps so you actually move forward.

Make your goals:

Clear
Realistic
Prioritized

Instead of saying “I want to paint more,” try:
🎯 “Complete one finished animal painting each month.”

That’s specific. That’s doable. And that’s the kind of goal you can build a schedule around.

2. Deadlines Keep You Honest

I had two years to get ready for a recent exhibition… and somehow still ended up scrambling in the final weeks. Sound familiar?

It’s easy to lose track of time when no one’s looking over your shoulder.
That’s why the planner includes:

Monthly calendar pages
Competition/exhibition trackers
Commission order forms with due dates

Because if it’s not written down, it’s not real.
And let’s be honest—nothing lights a fire under your bum like a deadline.

3. Know Your Golden Hours

Some artists paint best at 6am with the birds. Others hit their creative stride at 10pm in their PJs.
The planner’s weekly layouts give you space to experiment and track when you’re most productive.

Once you find your rhythm, you can:

Schedule your most important work during those peak times
Batch tasks like social media or admin when your energy is lower
Stop forcing yourself into a routine that doesn’t suit your brain

This kind of awareness can totally shift how effective (and stress-free) your art time becomes.

4. Make Space for Self-Care (Seriously)

You’re not a machine. You’re a human being with creative energy—and that energy needs rest, food, joy, and space.

That’s why I built in:

Habit trackers
Affirmations
Weekly self-care prompts
And even little pep talks scattered throughout

Taking care of yourself isn’t optional if you want to make art long-term.
It’s essential.

So, Is the Ultimate Artist Planner for You?

If you’re:
✔️ Tired of feeling disorganized
✔️ Always forgetting competition deadlines
✔️ Running your art biz with 27 post-it notes and a prayer
✔️ Dreaming big but not taking action…

Then yes, this planner is for you.

It’s part calendar, part project manager, part motivational coach—and it’s designed just for artists like us who need a little structure without the overwhelm.

✨ Ready to Get Organized in 2026?

You can grab your copy of the Ultimate Planner for the Organized Artist right here.

Let’s make 2026 the year you stop saying “I’ll get to it one day”
…and actually do the thing.

You’ve got this.

Kerri xx