Beat Those Winter Doldrums!

Oh, winter. Business is SLOW and I, for one, am having a hard time fighting the tendency for that to turn me into a big lazy slug. There are so many things to enhance my business that I never have time to do during the rest of the year that I could be using this time to do but I just don't feel like it. This may be because it won't be clear whether doing them is having the desired effect without the regular contact with customers that heavier selling activity brings. Maybe. But that's no excuse. No! Spring will be here before we know it (it really will; I should know this by now)

I set goals...now what?

{Rosie! The Biz Ladies cheerleader on Design Sponge}

The beginning of a new year means one thing. No, not hangovers! Ok, maybe those, but also everyone is talking about goal setting & I swear no one does it more than those of us in the handmade/small business category. All year long we are evaluating, changing, adjusting. This time of the year is prime for doing those things big picture style.

Got Goals?

Yes! But, now what? That's what I have struggled with in the past. How will I work toward these ideas every day? Last year my goals were to:

1. Produce more work

2. Focus. 

Kind of a do-more-by-doing-less approach there on number 2. Did I accomplish them? Yes...loosely. Mostly by sitting down & sketching out ideas. Many of them made it to the computer. Not many of them made it onto my shop, but design development takes time & I can't say it was easy to focus on one design at a time. So, can I do it differently? Well, yes...I'm glad you asked. Here's how...

NewNew New Year's Resolutions

Happy 2012!

So, it's a new year. Time to turn the page and look ahead. What do you want to start, finish, do, get, or be more of or less of in the coming 12 months?

A few brave NewNewers shared their resolutions with the rest of us. Here's what they said.

Make your own Value Cards

 

Value cards made by Louise

How can we live our life authentically if we don't understand what our values are? Today we are going to spend some time, identifying and re-connecting with our values, creating some artwork around them so we can keep them close by to remind us.

When you are aligned with your values and live your life with those in mind, you will feel fulfilled and energized. If values are not reflected in your work or daily life, if you are compromising your values, then you may feel resentful, frustrated and burned out.

Identifying values from anger

Think about the kind of things that have made you angry. What was happening? What is it about these situations that upset you the most? Write down your descriptions and flip them around - these can help you identify what you value. Anger can indicate a trampled value. When you are feeling unsatisfied and angry about something, chances are your values are not being honored.

Who do you Admire & Why?

Looking at people you admire - whether they are friends or people in the public eye can help you identify what your own core values are. It helps to think about what you admire in these people to help you unearth what means the most to you.

Deck of Value Cards

Creating a deck of Value cards (like the ones in the picture above) will help you consciously focus on one value at a time. You can simply use index cards, pictures and letters/words from magazines and bind them together using a binder ring or tie with a ribbon. Similar to when the newnew blog covered making a vision board, you can create mini cards to hang around your studio or bedroom.

• Create a list of your values
• Download the Values document to get you started.
• You can use the exercises above related to anger and looking at what you admire in other people to create your list of your own values.
• Choose 3-5 to create a card deck of your values. Feel free to create more if you wish. You will need:
  
  • Index cards/cardboard either 4x6 or 5x7 (pick a size that feels comfortable to you)
  • Magazines
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Hole punch (optional)
  • A binding ring or some ribbon

ENJOY!

Louise Gale - Your Creative Career Consultant for The New New Blog

Do You have a Word for 2011?

Last month we took a look at Creating Your Vision Board for the year ahead, gathering images and words to attract all the fabulous things you wanted in your life. Today we are looking at Words and Themes. Do you have one for the year?

Choosing a word or a theme sparks energy and meaning and this can be used to help you focus as you make decisions, taking you towards the right path. It may be something like "Leap" if you are looking to make a huge change, or "cultivate" if there are things you'd like to grow.

Think about the following three areas when deciding on your Theme/Word of the Year.

Be Clear
Being clear and having clarity is a key part for attracting and manifesting your desires. Starting off with a foggy outlook will really muddle things along the way. You will be able to articulate clearly what your word/theme means to you.

Be Authentic
Being authentic is how we can connect with what it is we truly desire, not what we think others think we should be doing. Your Word will be authentic to YOU.

Be Aware
Being aware of what you are focusing on and how you are approaching things is important. Don't just choose "wealth" as your word. You don't have a magic wand to make this appear. Think beyond that. The word you choose will teach you more about you and who you are. Awareness is key, it will allow you to learn, question and clarify everything that comes your way. By having a theme/word, this will stay with you to tune in your awareness of everything going on.

If this is your first time choosing a word or a theme, don't worry about "choosing the perfect word", but please do promise yourself that you will follow this practice every year as it will get better and better. You will find it easier to have clarity, be authentic and aware and live your word to its fullest.

Take Action Now!

• Download the *FREE* Word of the Year worksheet and work through the questions to find your Word/Theme.  These questions will help you get clear about your word (the what) and what your motivation will be (the why)
• Did you have a word for last year? If so, tell us below and why, then tell us what your word for this year is and why.
• Creative prompt: Create a garland of letters to make up your word or theme and hang it somewhere prominent so you can see it everyday.
• Creative prompt:  Create a piece of artwork or a page to put into your journal with your word and hang it on the wall. 

Until next time.....

Louise Gale - Your Creative Career Consultant for The New New Blog
"Dream-Inspire-Create"

How To: Create a Vision Board of your Dreams

Louise with her Vision Board for 2011

Have you created your 2011 Vision Board yet?

If not or you have no idea what a Vision Board is, read this "How To" post to start attracting the life of your dreams. No matter where you are now, using a vision board can help you focus and attract all the right things into your life in a fun creative way! Download this FREE info sheet to find out more.

Materials Needed

• Thick card or poster board of any size. 
• Magazines of all kinds (you never know where your visions will be found)
• Glue – I like to use acrylic medium which is what I use in my mixed media creations – you can also use elmers glue or a regular glue stick.
• White sage (optional)
• Your favorite music – something restful to help your mind be quiet and open.
• You can also do this alone, with family or a group of friends. 

Before You get started: Take part in a grounding ritual

• Put on your favorite restful music 
• Burn some white sage for purification in the air and to create a clear environment. (optional) 
• Close your eyes and ask what you would like to invite into your life. Set the intent for the activity.

Steps to creating your vision board

1. Go through your magazines and start collecting images and words that resonate with you (don’t glue anything yet!).  Take your time, this is a powerful exercise to attract your visions. Spend a good few hours finding your images and words.
   
   
2. Start to go through your images and lay them out on your board. This is a highly intuitive part of the exercise so feel free to move them about, take out ones that no longer feel right, you may see a theme starting to emerge.
   
   
3. Firstly paste a photo of yourself, smiling happily to show the expression when all these things come true in your life.
   
   
4. When you are ready, start to glue your images and words onto the board. You can also draw and add additional words yourself as you build your imagery.
   
   
5. When you feel like you have completed your board, hang it somewhere prominent for you to see everyday.

There’s no right or wrong way here, just go with your instincts and be open – this is the most important thing. You may be surprised with what comes out! There are also different kinds of Vision Boards, so download this FREE info sheet to learn more. 

ADD COMMENTS BELOW: Let's share our Vision Boards! If you have blogged about your vision board or have a photo, why not post a link in the comments below. Also tell us what you think about Vision Boards and how they have helped you follow your dreams if you have used them before.

Thanks
Louise

"Dream, Inspire, Create"