Isn’t it funny how the gremlins get louder the closer we move toward our big dreams? For weeks and weeks, I’ve been diligently plugging away at my manuscript, but now that I’m preparing to have colleagues review it and give feedback, the Inner Critic kicked into overdrive.
Productivity came to a halt. I dug my heels in. I started to stall on sending out certain e-mail requests, I avoided reading sections of my manuscript (let’s not even talk about looking at the whole thing in its entirety!), and I kept myself in the dark about what the timing of my next steps needed to be. These are a few of my gremlin’s many sneaky tactics to keeping things status quo.
Recognizing the gremlin’s grip, I began taking little steps forward. I drafted up the e-mails that I needed to send out. I printed out documents that I had not been wanting to deal with. I got more Post-it Notes and mapped out the dates of key milestones leading up to my deadline. I swear, it’s these tiniest of actions that get my mind off of the gremlin talk and on to the bigger vision. There is still plenty more to do and I’m still noticing resistance. But, I know if I keep making these micromovements I’ll maintain momentum. And it sure helps having awesome, supportive people in my life and an amazing book coach to keep me focused on the positive. So take that, gremlins!!
How does your Inner Critic try to sabotage your progress? What are the ways you keep your gremlins at bay?
I’m excited about the fabulous creative entrepreneurs who will be joining me in the Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course that starts next week. I hope that you’re one of them! Check out my video above and sign-up here. The early-bird special ends soon. Finally get that business plan done and have fun doing it!
My 2010 theme of grounded growth has been a valuable touchstone. Whenever I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed or stressed out, I reconnect with my intention. Here are some simple ways that I’ve practiced grounded growth the past few weeks:
Practiced yoga at home. While I love going to intense vinyasa classes and working up a sweat, sometimes it’s more beneficial to do my own practice at home where I can follow my own breath. My body needed to slow down and I listened.
Took my pup for a long walk on the one day when it didn’t rain. We both enjoyed the crisp, fresh air and hint of sunshine.
Journaled in the morning.
Carved out focused time for my writing. My new favorite secret weapon is the cool tool Concentrate for the Mac which allows you to eliminate distractions on your computer like social media, websites, and applications. I’ve logged more than 12 hours of writing since getting it a few weeks ago. Funny thing is I discovered it on Twitter when I was supposed to be writing!
After a long couple days of intense work, I took a night off and watched a DVD with my hubby.
Took a yoga class today and loved that my teacher started us off with some deep breathing in reclining butterfly. He had us extend our exhale to help us ground and expand our inhale to help us spread out. A great physical practice of my grounded growth theme!
How are you practicing your theme for the year? What little things can you do to embody your intention?
I hope you’ve had a wonderful start to the new year. I haven’t posted in awhile as I’ve been heads down with writing my manuscript and preparing for my upcoming Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course that I can’t wait to share soon. Despite moving into 2010 full-steam ahead, it’s still important to pause and set my intentions for the new year. Goddess Leonie’s 2010 Goddess Planner has been a fun way for me to dip into some creative visioning. If you haven’t checked out this fab resource yet, I highly recommend it (and I’m not saying it just cuz I get a commission!). It’s a colorful, jam-packed, inspirational, and uber-affordable guide that is well worth treating yourself to.
During a yoga class at the beginning of the month, my teacher invited us to set an intention for the new year. I already knew that I wanted growth to be a focal point in 2010 and a foundation for the new decade. But given the overwhelm and stress I had been feeling, I knew it couldn’t be about super-accelerated expansion. I sat on my yoga mat, closed my eyes, and breathed. As I reflected on Sean’s inquiry, the phrase “grounded growth” emerged clearly. It’s the perfect theme for what I want to create this year. I want to grow bigger in my business and in my personal life. And I want to do so in a way that is rooted, calming, and mindful.
Leonie’s medicine bag exercise encourages us to identify ways that we can take care of our goddess-self. I enjoyed jotting down all the comforts, support, and self-care activities I can lean into to make sure there is lots of grounding in my growth.
As the medicine bag reminds me, support and encouragement from friends is vital to my grounded growth. I love that my friend Britt Bravo sent me a thoughtful handmade gift the other week – a sparkly magnet with an inspiring message. And to top it off, the book club ladies snail mailed an envelope full of fortunes from a recent book club gathering that I missed. Leaning into friends, asking for help, and actively seeking support (like hiring a VA – yay!) have been immensely helpful as I find myself in venturing into new territory.
What’s your intention or theme for the new year? And what’s in your “medicine bag” to support you on your journey?
I guess you could say I’m a bit of a self-help geek considering my idea of a good time for ringing in the new year consists of paper, glue, and reflection instead of bubbly, confetti, or noise makers. I enjoyed finishing my year-in-review exploding box to commemorate 2009 and reflecting on my end-of-year inquiries as a follow-up to listing what I’m celebrating from the year.
What are you most proud of?
Setting the intention that I would land a book deal and sticking through the process even when it was challenging and disheartening.
Showing up fully right from the get-go at my Expressive Arts Teacher Training (especially in light of it being at the same location where I had a difficult time a few years before).
Trusting my creative flow.
What was your biggest learning?
Having fabulous, inspiring, and supportive creative cohorts is essential. Collaborating with the right people makes all the difference.
Valuable growth comes from failure. It’s part of the process.
How did you stretch yourself?
I hit the road a lot this year – attending the book expo, leading workshops, giving talks, and visiting friends.
Last year I got tons of great experience doing work through other groups and organizations, but this year I stretched myself by focusing on and growing my own body of work.
Who did you lean on for support?
I’m so very grateful for all the wonderful support I have from my husband. He provides me with lots of encouragement and he helps me in so many ways.
I don’t know where I’d be without my amazing book coach, Jan King. She helps me through every step of this publishing journey.
My mentor and intuitive painting teacher, the wise and generous Chris Zydel.
The Nurture Huddle.
My friends, family, and my fellow creative entrepreneurs.
How will you celebrate who you’ve become?
Doing my reflection exercises has been a meaningful way for me to celebrate. I’m also looking forward to doing more work in Leonie’s gorgeous 2010 Goddess Planner.
Tomorrow I’m going to go to a New Years Day yoga class. I know it will be a great way to kick off the new year.
Keep honoring my self-care Fridays and scheduling a massage for January.
Oh, and I just might buy myself a new pair of designer jeans!
At the end of the year, I like to spend some time reflecting on what I learned and accomplished. First, I start making a list of all the things big and small that I’m celebrating. Then, I journal about what my big learnings were. I also enjoy doing something artsy and visual to commemorate [...]
The fabulous wishstudio hostess, Mindy Tsonas, has dreamed up a yummy event full of art, connection, and inspiration. The first ever wish*full virtual art retreat takes place April 30th-May 2nd. Join like-minded souls from around the world for a refreshing, creative weekend, all from the comfort of your own home!
Online workshops will be led by [...]
Hope you’re enjoying all the festivities of the season. For more merriment visit Emmett holiday cards of Christmas past. We’ve subjected our poor pooch to eight years of these silly photo shoots, so no wonder why it looks like he’s fed up with the yuletide cheer!
In the fall, Lisa Sonora Beam, Kimberly Wilson, Britt Bravo, and I asked you to tell us what your ideal creative women entrepreneur gathering would look like by completing a survey. We were thrilled that 300+ of you shared your ideas with us! Thank you!
Here are some highlights of what you said:
Just like there was a time when I didn’t think of myself as an artist, an entrepreneur, a good coach, or a leader, I had blocks around calling myself a writer or, dare I say it … an author. Over the years, I’ve stepped more fully and confidently into each of these roles and own [...]
Here are right-brain resources for creative entrepreneurs that I’ve come across recently: Despite a tough economy, the expert in the above CNN video says now is the best time to start your own business and that entrepreneurs are going to be leaders of social-economic change! Woohoo! Gotta love the straight-talk from Danielle LaPorte regarding No Bullshit Bra […]
Isn’t it funny how the gremlins get louder the closer we move toward our big dreams? For weeks and weeks, I’ve been diligently plugging away at my manuscript, but now that I’m preparing to have colleagues review it and give feedback, the Inner Critic kicked into overdrive.
My 2010 theme of 
