Allen C. Paul's Blog, page 26

3 Productivity Hacks That Protect Your Creative Motivation [TGGS 51]

If thereâs one thing we creatives all have in common – itâs the struggle to stay consistent.

Itâs not that we donât know what to do – itâs making sure we keep doing it.

Thatâs as true for a podcast host and creative coach as it is for you.

In this episode weâre sharingthree powerful productivity hacksthat can drastically reduce the chances of creative burnout, ensure that you maintain your motivation, and renew your artistic focus day after day.

We actually shared these tips during one of...

Can Music and Marriage Co-Exist?: Four Key Takeaways from the Musician Mondays Podcast

Making it in the music and entertainment industry is hard enough.

To do so while maintaining a healthy marriage and family life is even harder.

The stress of carrying the responsibility to care for your loved ones, providing for them and spending quality time has overwhelmed many couples who have tried to stay together as married musicians.

So when two people successfully navigate through these murky waters we call the creative life, we all – whether married or not- should take notice.

...

50 Episodes Later: A Challenge to Creatives, Lessons from a Legend and the Spiritual Responsibility of Excellence [TGGS 50]

Itâs our 50th episode…but the celebration takes second chair to the important challenge we are posing to every creative in our community.

Hereâs the question for you – are you doing what you were created to do? And are you doing it with excellence – meaning Godâs standard and not yours?

Two things have helped to clarify the importance of this message – one is a new book on finding and focusing on your purpose by Jordan Raynor calledâMaster of Oneâ, and the other is the tragic loss of...

A Map to Mastery: Book Review of “Master of One: Find and Focus on the Work You Were Created to Do”

Have you ever wondered whether the work you're doing in your career is what you are supposed to be doing?

Is it possible that there is only one thing you were created to do?

A loaded question, for sure – but one that everybody wrestles with. This is true especially for artists and creative professionals, who often struggle to settle on a single direction in their lives. Many spend years trying to find artistic and career fulfillment – battling both inner doubts and outside critics.

For too...

How to Enhance and Embrace Your Value as a Christian Artist with Michelle Pelsue, Creative Coach [TGGS 49]

Is it possible to be a thriving Christian creative in the arts and entertainment industry – even in the midst of the rough and tumble world of Hollywood?

And…how does one avoid being crushed by the pressures of the artistic lifestyle – the hyper-competitive battles to gain work, self-esteem issues, and outside negative influences – as you work to be the best you can be and reach your God-given potential?

Michelle Pelsue, co-Founder of Arts and Entertainment Ministries and the Arts and...

3 Things Creatives Need to Leave Behind in 2019 (and 3 Things You Need More of in 2020) [TGGS 48]

New Year, New Decade…New you?

At the start of a year, it seems the entire world is bursting with optimism. But it's important that we take stock of what we need to leave behind in the last decade so we can have our most successful year as musicians, creatives and artists. In our last Creative Checkup of 2019 in our God and Gigs Facebook group, we shared 3 negative habits that we need to leave behind and the three positive characteristics that we can use to guarantee our best year ever in...

3 Things Creatives Need to Leave Behind in 2019 (and 3 Things You Need More of in 2020)

New Year, New Decade…New you?

At the start of a year, it seems the entire world is bursting with optimism. But it's important that we take stock of what we need to leave behind in the last decade so we can have our most successful year as musicians, creatives and artists. In our last Creative Checkup of 2019 in our God and Gigs Facebook group, we shared 3 negative habits that we need to leave behind and the three positive characteristics that we can use to guarantee our best year ever in...

Voyage to Success: How to Level Up and Excel on Any Stage with Jamal Moore, Drummer and Producer [TGGS 47]

How does a drummer with a dream, who began playing drums in his family's church at only seven years old, rise to become a highly successful musician working with some of the biggest stars in music?

According to Jamal J. Moore, drummer, producer, songwriter and clinician, it takes an unshakable belief in God, a ‘laser-eye focus' on your goals, and an unquenchable desire to get better – even if it means taking criticism and using it as motivation to achieve true mastery of your gift.

From...

Voyage to Success: How to Level Up and Excel on Any Stage with Jamal Moore, Drummer and Producer

How does a drummer with a dream, who began playing drums in his family's church at only seven years old, rise to become a highly successful musician working with some of the biggest stars in music?

According to Jamal J. Moore, drummer, producer, songwriter and clinician, it takes an unshakable belief in God, a ‘laser-eye focus' on your goals, and an unquenchable desire to get better – even if it means taking criticism and using it as motivation to achieve true mastery of your gift.

From...

Desperate For Distraction? Why It’s So Easy to Lose Creative Focus

If there's one thing every creative can count on, it's this.

When it's time to get down to your creative work – something will pop up to grab your attention.

Whether you're at a laptop, at an instrument, or holding a pen, there's always something attempting to distract you.

Sometimes it's something that MUST be addressed – work, children, major obligations.

But other times, it's the trivial but nagging distractions that pull you away from meaningful, creative work. Random thoughts. Social...