you’ve changed
As humans, we are in a consistent state of perpetual change.
Life throws us curveballs.
And either we expand.
Or we contract.
We bounce back.
Or we stay stagnant.
We choose to find the joy.
Or we choose to linger in the pain.
Change is inevitable.
The only question that really matters is: “are we changing for the better?”
AN INTERESTING LINK
When it comes to building meaningful connections with others, vulnerability is key. But being open and honest… even with the people we care about can be hard.
Here are five tips to help you embrace the power of vulnerability.
SHOPPING LIST
Even though the seasons haven’t officially changed, my allergies have been in shambles. I finally decided to invest in an air purifier and this one seems promising.
SOMETHING TO DO:
Join or start a book club.
Book clubs can be a great way to connect with others who share your love of reading, and it can also be a great way to discuss books and gain new perspectives on literature.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Every day on Instagram, I’m dropping reels that clearly explain the Reset Workshop. I absolutely hate selling, but I genuinely feel passionately about the community and connections that will come from this mastermind. I’d be honored if you shared one of the reels to your Instagram stories.
Here’s an explainer video about Emotional Intelligence (Tiktok)
How to Create a “Stop Doing” List
While this year started off quietly, the past month has been nothing short of a whirlwind.
I’m feverishly sending out weekly emails, recording short-form video content, creating new products for the online shop, working on the Joy Bombs Affirmation deck, and securing speaking opportunities and workshop facilitation gigs.
On top of all that, I’m even squeezing in freelance graphic design work. (The thing that actually provides the most consistent revenue)
I know, I know – I’m a multi-passionate person, but that also means I have a never-ending to-do list.
However, as I pondered over The Pareto Principle, which states that 80 percent of results stem from 20 percent of effort, I realized that I might be spending 80 percent of my time on tasks that are not adding much value.
So, I took a step back and evaluated what’s working, what’s not, and where I should focus my energies.
I decided to create a Stop Doing List.
Productivity is not about mindlessly packing your day and your life with endless tasks. True productivity lies in prioritizing the most essential work and carving out white space to unleash your creativity.
This game-changing exercise not only frees up time for reflection and long-term planning but also empowers you to propel your life and business forward. So, how do you go about it?
1. Make a list of your top priority projects.
If everything is important, then nothing is important. Start by jotting down the things that you absolutely must complete, followed by the tasks you wish to accomplish. Next, prioritize each project from most crucial to least important, and narrow that list down to three things you’ll focus on for the next month.
2. Assess the return on investment for each of your daily tasks.
We often overextend ourselves by trying to do too much at once. From posting on multiple social media platforms to organizing emails, every action has a clear return on investment. Make a list of all your daily tasks and ask yourself, “Will this help in the long run, or am I just doing things because I think I have to?”
3. Identify energy drains in your life.
Analyze your workload and figure out what tasks bring you joy and which ones leave you feeling drained. Delegate tasks that no longer serve you and find ways to recharge your batteries.
4. Resist the urge to over-commit.
It’s tempting to take on new projects, but it’s okay to let some things simmer on the back burner. Create a backlog of projects you’d like to complete, and focus on only one or two tasks at a time. This way, you can make substantial progress without spreading yourself too thin.
Once you’ve completed this exercise, it’s time to create your “stop doing” list. Say no to tasks that don’t serve your goals, and focus on what truly matters. Remember, productivity is not about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most.
Here’s what’s on my Stop doing List:
- Stop procrastinating on projects that are important to me. Instead, focus on one project at a time so you can see more progress.
- Stop overthinking. You don’t need any more ideas. You need to execute the ideas you already have.
- Stop listening to my inner critic. He’s trying to convince me to waste time.
- Stop posting on social media so much. Instead, focus on longer-form content.
- Stop wasting time on things I’m not good at. Outsource as much as I possibly can.
- Stop ordering food. Even though it takes more time, cooking at home is better for me in the long run.
- Stop forcing things to work. If it seems to not be working, sit with it. And above all else give myself permission to quit.
- Stop beating myself up for not being perfect. That’s just my inner voice trying to derail my progress.
- Stop comparing myself to other people. Everyone is on their own journey. And things are happening for me in perfect timing and harmony.
- Stop thinking about all the ways it could go wrong. It’s okay to plan for the worst outcome. But that should never derail progress.
Career Advice for Creatives
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worn every hat you can imagine as a creative professional. With job titles like graphic and web designer, social media manager, creative director, director of marketing, photographer, illustrator, and communications manager… if there was an opportunity to flex my creative muscles, I jumped at the opportunity.
And through the combination of personal projects, life experience, and meaningful self-work, I have my fair share of career advice for creative professionals. In this blog post, I’m going to give you nine pieces of advice to help you stay inspired, focused, and productive in your creative career.
1. Success can have so many different meanings for creative professionals. You get to define what success means to you.
Don’t chase after someone else’s dream. Instead establish what success means for you and build a life you love. That might mean letting go of specific job titles or focusing less on breaking six figures, if you prefer to prioritize work/life balance.
2. Eat the frog first thing every single day.
Instead of procrastinating, do the one task you’re dreading first so you can get out of the way. This frees up mental space and allows you to be more creative for the rest of the day.
3. No one will advocate for you if you aren’t willing to advocate for yourself.
It’s easy to assume that people are hyper-aware of your interests, needs, and expectations. But you have to remember that your coworkers and manager are dealing with their own set of goals and objectives.
It’s your job to remind them of the good work that you’re doing, the growth that you’ve made, and your goals for the future.
4. You have to have an emergency savings fund… ideally in a high-yield account.
In the creative industry, even the most secure jobs can be volatile. Save money for rainy days so that you don’t have the financial pressure of being without a consistent salary if you’re laid off. Once you’ve saved enough, you can consider creating a separate savings account to take a sabbatical.
5. No one can actually multitask – they lying.
The best way to complete a project effectively and efficiently is to give it your full focus. Make a to-do list at the beginning of the week and take projects one step at a time. This will lead to a higher quality of work overall and a defined sense of actively getting things done.
6. Work hard enough to get the job done well, but not so hard that it directly affects your health or your relationships.
One of the challenges of working in your zone of genius is deciding when to stop working. It’s important to create things that your clients will love and that you’re proud of, but sometimes pushing for perfection is a waste of energy and time.
Make sure to prioritize all the aspects of your life that matter: health, fitness, quality time with friends and family, self-care, and hobbies.
7. Always ask for $5-10,000 more than what they offered.
After multiple rounds of interviews, it’s easy to just be happy that you got a new creative job. But you could be leaving money on the table if you’re not negotiating for more pay when you get the offer. It’s always worth countering the offer to see if there’s some wiggle room in the budget.
8. Make time for creative exploration in your creative process.
With a demanding full-time creative job, it can be hard to make time for creative exploration. With tight deadlines and lots of projects, you have to carve out time to continue to grow in your creative profession.
Take time to create just because you want to create. Watch tutorials. Go to conferences. Connect with like-minded creatives. Inspiration is something you have to continually seek, even if it means doing it when you’re not on the clock.
9. If no one will hire you to do the work that you want to do, you can make it your side hustle.
Sometimes the only way you can actually build experience is to commit to learning a new skill on your own time. This is the beauty and the challenge of being a creative professional. You need experience to get the job, but often times in order to get experience, you have to start on your own.
If you’re trying to break into a new field, build new portfolio pieces that connect with the work you’re looking for. Once you have a portfolio, search for contract work or create self-initiated projects that help you become better at your craft.
Breaking Out of a Rut: Tips on How to Stay Motivated and Productive
Life is full of ups and downs, and it can be hard to stay motivated when things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s a tough day at work, a missed deadline, or just feeling stuck in a rut, there are many things that can steal our motivation.
Here are 5 common motivation-stealers and useful tactics on how to stay motivated and productive:
Procrastination:
Putting things off until the last minute can make any task feel overwhelming and make it harder to find the motivation to start.
To beat procrastination, try breaking down your tasks into smaller chunks and setting specific deadlines for yourself.
Negative thinking:
It’s easy to get bogged down in negative thoughts, but they can be a major motivation-killer.
To keep your motivation high, try practicing positive thinking and focusing on the good things in your life.
Lack of sleep:
When you’re tired, it’s hard to find the energy and motivation to do anything.
To keep your motivation high, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and taking care of your physical and mental health.
Fear of failure:
Sometimes, the fear of failure can be so overwhelming that it’s hard to even start.
To overcome this, try focusing on the progress you’re making and reminding yourself that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Comparison:
Comparing yourself to others can be a surefire way to kill your motivation. Remember, everyone has their own journey and it’s important to focus on your own progress and goals.
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It’s important to remember that staying motivated can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and find motivation.
Sometimes, it takes a little extra effort to get out of a rut, but it’s worth it in the end.
The power of positive thinking can do wonders in keeping your motivation high. Self-care is equally important in staying motivated and achieving your goals. So, break out of your comfort zone, take a step back and breathe, and remind yourself that you’ve got this!
13 Thoughts on Life: Inspirational Ideas for cultivating joy
I’ve had my fair share of resets. Unexpected twists. Beautiful surprises. And terrible defeats. But I decided at the end of last year that 2023 is my year of intentional growth.
A year to dare to believe that all the good that I imagine is possible.
A year to put myself out there in new and unexpected ways.
A year to let down the barriers and allow my dreams to truly flourish.
This post collects 13 thoughts on life and inspirational ideas on how to have a more positive life.
1. This is your life and you are empowered to make changes as frequently as you see fit.
The only thing standing in the way of what you desire is dedicated effort and a positive mindset.
2. It’s okay to say how you’re really feeling.
If someone asks “How are you doing?” take a beat to consider your answer.
3. Books are the gateway to new worlds.
Try to read every single day. You will become a better writer and more likely to impress people with interesting tidbits.
4. Conflict is healthy. But remember, conflict does not equal having a screaming match.
You should be able to confidently say your opinion on things, but also be flexible enough to hear other people.
5. Time is your most precious gift.
Use it wisely.
6. You have to exercise a few times a week.
This has nothing to do with losing weight or trying to look hot. Just do it cause it will make you happier and healthier. For me, it’s a win if I get outside for a 20-minute walk. Commit to something small and get moving.
7. You have to eat vegetables every single day.
This seems obvious, but I know waaaay too many people that avoid their greens. Eat the salad. Or make some broccoli. They basically go with every meal.
8. Always be impeccable with your word.
If you say you’re going to do something you have to follow through. That goes for the promises you make to other people because you want to be trustworthy. But this also goes for the promises you make to yourself.
9. If being perfect stops you from completing projects, stop trying to be perfect.
As a recovering perfectionist its hard to ship something when I know its not perfect. But I’m learning that my 80% is pretty damn spectacular, in comparison to choosing not to finish.
10. Some days you will need a nap, a cry, or a vent session to reset.
You don’t have to be strong all the time. And you don’t have to be productive all the time. Listen to your brain, your body, and most importantly your heart.
11. Sometimes you’re going to have to take the risk.
There will never be a perfect time or perfect circumstance.
12. Everything that tastes good is basically bad for you.
Try to change your palette to think about the way food makes you feel after you’ve eaten it. For me, the hardest challenge is cutting back on the sweets. Switching to dark chocolate from cookies helps a bit, but I still have lots of work to do in this area.
13. Write in a journal regularly.
Write what you’re thankful for and what’s troubling you. It gives the perfect snapshot of where you are right now. Then try to reread those journals at least once a year to see how far you’ve come.
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