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AnthonyHolden — Time Management (tumblr response)

Published: 2013-06-14 18:36:24 +0000 UTC; Views: 8229; Favourites: 325; Downloads: 87
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Description Sometimes I answer questions on my tumblr [link] with comics. If you dudes are on tumblr too, let me know in the comments below!



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What a coincidence this question showed up in my ask box! I had just been discussing this with a few friends of mine the other day.

In his book Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon makes a pretty compelling case for being boring. Stay inside and get your work done! I totally recommend this book to everyone—it is full of wonderful ideas…that I have stolen.

Keep in mind that the above advice is my ideal—it’s what I’m striving for, not necessarily what I’m always achieving. But it is always there to remind me of what my goal is, how I really want to be spending my time.

As a matter of personal preference, I like to take “me time” when I am not infringing upon any of my other priority relationships. This usually means me time is when the rest of my family is asleep. I think that’s pretty common behavior for most artists. I try not to stay up late, but rather to get up early to do art projects. It’s super hard to do, but it feels great to start my day with a burst of creative energy (rather than end my day with that burst, and then not be able to fall asleep at 3 am because I’m so pumped about a comic I’m doing.)

Hope some of these thoughts help. Like Mr. Kleon states in his book, most of this advice is autobiographical. I’m learning too. Happy schedule-making to everyone!

(PS, you should know that answering tumblr questions is a planned part of my schedule, and I will eventually get to all of you. My ask box is pretty backed up at the moment, but I have your messages and you have my apologies!)
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Comments: 67

SteedAngus [2014-07-22 03:59:31 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you put God as top priority! Most people would be too scared! I like the organization method, because I think that's what I use to manage my time too. If i don't have a schedule down I end up sitting around the house haha!

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turtle-ray9 [2013-12-24 02:32:00 +0000 UTC]

Neat this is so handy, I'm not one to make lists but perhaps I'll finally be able to solve the question: "What I've been doing with my time?" Now I am motivated thanks!!!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to turtle-ray9 [2014-01-12 06:23:41 +0000 UTC]

Yeah! Get motivated!

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MintChocoFusion [2013-12-20 20:49:00 +0000 UTC]

this advising is fun, your doodlage is so engaging XD tell me though, how much TIME did you take to make this?

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AnthonyHolden In reply to MintChocoFusion [2014-01-12 06:23:22 +0000 UTC]

Haha. Probably too much. (seriously, a couple of hours. And I planned the time out to make it. Isn't that silly?)

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theonlybriman47 [2013-09-26 00:30:26 +0000 UTC]

now that was awesome, very inspiring

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AnthonyHolden In reply to theonlybriman47 [2013-10-01 21:23:17 +0000 UTC]

now if I can only live by my own principles....

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SANU-CHAN [2013-06-24 15:44:56 +0000 UTC]

Sigh. I also make lists. I should totally take the schedule making part more seriously.
This was very fun and helpful, thanks ^___^

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AnthonyHolden In reply to SANU-CHAN [2013-07-08 17:17:18 +0000 UTC]

Glad to help!

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SANU-CHAN In reply to AnthonyHolden [2013-07-08 18:09:55 +0000 UTC]

<3

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MasikaRain [2013-06-17 13:58:48 +0000 UTC]

Hee hee, Fozzie Bear.

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AnthonyHolden In reply to MasikaRain [2013-07-08 17:17:40 +0000 UTC]

Priorities.

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decembertiggerX [2013-06-17 01:44:27 +0000 UTC]

You're fast becoming some kind of art/animation advice guru, Anthony! Great advice as always, thanks for being willing to share and spend so much time on answering questions. Your fatherly tendencies are spilling over to your followers already, haha.

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AnthonyHolden In reply to decembertiggerX [2013-07-08 17:18:28 +0000 UTC]

Kind of on accident, too! Hopefully I don't sound as preachy as I do when I'm talking to my kids.

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ChuckDoodles [2013-06-17 00:46:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for sharing! Its easy to get overwhelmed once you factor in your day job, family, friends, fitness, faith (lot of f's) so your personal time as an artist is usually art. Find artist friends! Many of my friends stopped doing art so I found myself struggling to squeeze art into my day after a day of work, gym, and hanging out. Find artist friends! It helps merge personal art time and socializing seamlessly AND helps you stay motivated

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AnthonyHolden In reply to ChuckDoodles [2013-07-08 17:18:56 +0000 UTC]

Yes! I totally agree.

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zarishisonfire [2013-06-16 04:58:15 +0000 UTC]

This is the answer to one of my biggest woes right now! Thanks man you are such an inspiration! (I just over use exclamation marks when commenting on your stuff!!!! L'excite). Also I think I'd like to make my list of priorities exactly like yours... I've been neglecting God ;-;

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AnthonyHolden In reply to zarishisonfire [2013-07-08 17:20:47 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad to help! Frankly this is as much a reminder to myself as it is to anyone else who might read.

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DarkGamer72 [2013-06-15 18:49:58 +0000 UTC]

Your art style is adorable!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to DarkGamer72 [2013-07-08 17:20:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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theShionProject [2013-06-15 18:10:02 +0000 UTC]

This is very charming and filled with good advice. Faved!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to theShionProject [2013-07-08 17:21:04 +0000 UTC]

thanks so much!

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AnthonyTehAwesome [2013-06-15 18:01:25 +0000 UTC]

The problem with this (for me) is that my work schedule is never the same. I only get scheduled when I'm needed, which makes for a very hard time trying to budget my time.

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AnthonyHolden In reply to AnthonyTehAwesome [2013-07-08 17:22:04 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, that does make things really tricky. The key is to make time for the most important stuff first. And never forget to make time for FUN!

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JohnWRoberts [2013-06-15 16:58:49 +0000 UTC]

this make me feel very bad, but good. Im not organaizational savy and but this make me aware of that. thank man.

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AnthonyHolden In reply to JohnWRoberts [2013-07-08 17:22:30 +0000 UTC]

No problem. Getting organized is a struggle for everyone, I think (especially me).

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tincan21 [2013-06-15 16:31:47 +0000 UTC]

Full of charms and inspirations!!! Absolute love!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to tincan21 [2013-07-08 17:24:08 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, dude!

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DreamerWhit [2013-06-15 15:19:24 +0000 UTC]

haha I love this, its so true though, lists are my hero
Thanks for this!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to DreamerWhit [2013-07-08 17:25:01 +0000 UTC]

Lists for president!

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WritingRin [2013-06-15 14:40:09 +0000 UTC]

This makes me so happy! All the little drawings are cute and the advice is good

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AnthonyHolden In reply to WritingRin [2013-07-08 17:25:16 +0000 UTC]

hopefully helpful!

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tgwttn [2013-06-15 07:47:11 +0000 UTC]

This is really good advice! I LOVE LISTS, I THINK IF I COULD REPLACE MY BRAIN WITH JUST A BOOK OF LISTS FOR ME TO GET OUT WOULD BE FAR EASIER! But for once, im actually looking forward to not planning (im coming to the end of my exams and finally i can be SPONTANEOS), but this is a great life tip though and I love thae way youve drawn it too!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to tgwttn [2013-07-08 17:25:50 +0000 UTC]

Yeah! I love checking stuff off as it gets completed.

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piebot-s [2013-06-15 05:40:16 +0000 UTC]

great lol.

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AnthonyHolden In reply to piebot-s [2013-07-08 17:24:19 +0000 UTC]

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twinkiedragon [2013-06-15 01:25:00 +0000 UTC]

Lol fozzie bear!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to twinkiedragon [2013-07-08 17:26:42 +0000 UTC]

Wakka wakka wakka

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jonmcnally In reply to twinkiedragon [2013-06-15 03:23:32 +0000 UTC]

Fozzie should definitely be higher on that list.

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Shay-Chan [2013-06-15 00:23:59 +0000 UTC]

and here I thought i was the only one who enjoyed making lists... xD
Not only was this good to read but the visuals you included made it really fun lol, you are quickly becoming one of my top favorite artists on dA (i have a list xD)

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AnthonyHolden In reply to Shay-Chan [2013-07-08 17:32:05 +0000 UTC]

Haha! I hope I can stay on that list!

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hippybro [2013-06-14 22:32:20 +0000 UTC]

You make time for your art rivals? My I ask whom these rival might be?

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AnthonyHolden In reply to hippybro [2013-07-08 17:41:19 +0000 UTC]

I bet you know some of them. Chief among them, Jake Wyatt, [link] has this to say about rivals:

Make friends with artists who inspire, challenge, and support you. Friends who are your cheerleaders, your coaches, and your rivals. An enemy is someone who hates you and wants you to fail. A rival loves you for the challenge you represent. Rivals inspire one another, and give meaning to each other’s struggles. If you don’t understand positive rivalry, read shonen manga until you DO.

Some other rival-friends include: Jake Parker, Jed Henry, Will Strong, Stu Livingston, Megan Dong, Katie Shanahan, Vera Brosgol... there are really too many to mention.

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TenLongFingers [2013-06-14 22:23:30 +0000 UTC]

juggling adventurous life experience and making time to do actually do work sounds hard! XD haha!

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AnthonyHolden In reply to TenLongFingers [2013-07-08 17:41:40 +0000 UTC]

It's tricky, but the juggling is also part of the adventure!

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Le-Mat [2013-06-14 21:21:56 +0000 UTC]

I'm so total walking chaos I was even scarred to read it to the end. Word discipline works on me like holy water on devil. I know that all, but I'm never able to focus and dedicate to discipline of steel... to discipline I mean, for more than... hey is this my new marker?

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AnthonyHolden In reply to Le-Mat [2013-07-08 17:41:58 +0000 UTC]

Haha! Get focused, man!

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ShikaruOC [2013-06-14 20:54:32 +0000 UTC]

Lists are great and all, but do you have a list - list?

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AnthonyHolden In reply to ShikaruOC [2013-07-08 17:42:28 +0000 UTC]

I've been one-upped. I NEED a list-list.

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surfersquid [2013-06-14 19:50:44 +0000 UTC]

These comic essays are so adorable and awesome! That's really neat of you to put so much time and effort into answering tumblr questions. It's also really nice to see someone debunking the myth that all artists are reckless and irresponsible.

Also, here is my tumblr: [link] I just recently started posting stuff after going on hiatus for about a year, but I plan on updating more frequently from now on (I also have to get through my backlog of stuff I drew while I was on tumblr-hiatus). And I, too, strive to keep my tumblr family-friendly both in what I post and what I reblog (I really appreciate that you do that with yours).

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