I’m a huge fan of a good process. Love it!  And having been an administrator pretty much my whole adult life I’m used to working in processes.

So when I read about the importance of making space for the big ideas and delegating small tasks so you can focus on the bigger picture stuff, I nod and smile politely while thinking “um…what? That’s not really a thing, right?” I imagine delegating the day-to-day stuff then kind of staring blankly and fidgeting.

Except it totally is a thing! And I’ll be honest with you, it’s a thing I’m not comfortable with – when in doubt I will totally allow myself to get bogged down in the processing. Every. Time. The busywork that does need to be done, but probably not right now.

The thing that makes process work so appealing is also the problem: you just need to mindlessly move through the steps until stuff is done. You don’t have to think too much and you feel like you’re being productive.

But, filling your mind with data entry doesn’t leave room for new ideas (yep, they’re right).

So what’s a girl to do? In my case (like you, probably) the process work still needs to get done and ain’t nobody else going to do it. For me, there are two key things.

First, scheduling is key. I’m a huge fan of time blocking – identifying have-to tasks and making time in my calendar for them. This needs to include plenty of free time too, for new tasks or thinking space.

Second, when it’s thinking space or creating time, make sure you actually get that space. If nothing’s happening, stare out the window for awhile and let your thoughts run. Or, if you can, change your surrounds. Go for a walk, or take yourself out to lunch (but without Facebook or a magazine to distract you). If you want new things to grow, you need to make space for them!

Try not to be overwhelmed by idea time. It doesn’t mean you’re expected to come up with a way of generating electricity from grass or something. Maybe it means you can focus on a new project or start to write that online course you’re always thinking about.

The important part is you’re giving yourself space to let those things in.