Creative Triage: How to Prioritize When You’re the Photographer, Editor, and Social Strategist
When you're the content creator and, the strategist and the social media manager, it can feel like you’re doing CPR on a dying to-do list—with one hand tied behind your back.
I’ve been there.
From filming community events and art installations to turning around edits under deadline and making sure every caption speaks the right language, I’ve had to learn—quickly—how to prioritize creative chaos. Here’s how I triage projects when every task feels like the most important one.
🧠 1. Assign an “Energy Cost” to Each Task
Not all tasks are created equal. Some take brainpower (like scripting or breaking down policy). Others take time but less mental overhead (like batch-editing short-form video). I label tasks with:
High-focus: Needs strategy, critical thinking, or nuance.
Medium-focus: Creative but repeatable.
Low-focus: Admin-level or mechanical.
Tackle high-focus tasks first when your brain’s at full charge.
📍 2. Use Micro-Mapping, Not Just Lists
Instead of a long list of to-dos, I map tasks into clusters:
Shoot Day: Primary video, backup shots, and BTS content
Edit Block: Assembly → polish → captions
Distribution: IG Reels → TikTok → newsletter content
This mirrors the flow I’ve developed in hybrid roles that demand switching between filmmaker, editor, and strategist—often in the same day.
⏱️ 3. If It’s Not on the Calendar, It’s Not Real
Creative energy is finite. I block off time not just for meetings, but also for edits, writing, and even brainstorming. Project management tools like Asana or Monday.com have saved me during overlapping projects and last-minute asks.
Bonus tip: Build in time for feedback rounds—future you will thank you.
🧰 4. Have a “Drop Everything” Kit
Last-minute shoot? Social fire drill? My grab-and-go kit includes:
Charged camera batteries and SD cards
Travel-ready tripod
Presets for fast color grading
Canva templates for quick-turnaround graphics
When you’re in roles that blur the line between creative and communications, having gear and templates prepped can be the difference between “we got it” and “we missed it.”
📲 5. Create Before You Post
Don’t fall into the “make-as-you-go” trap. I batch content weekly—planning, shooting, editing, and scheduling in chunks. This habit has kept me grounded through high-output seasons across multiple brands and departments.
🔁 Final Thought:
Wearing all the hats isn’t sustainable without structure. But once you build in systems—task mapping, energy-level planning, and some solid calendar blocking—your creativity doesn’t just survive. It thrives.