Navigating a New Creative Endeavor | PART TWO

Hello Friends!

It's June! The trees in Michigan are sporting glorious shades of green, the air is thick and I'm dreaming of camping and swimming. I've had lots of bonfires, eaten too many s'mores (already!) and Mori is loving all the walks. As I'm writing this though, I'm sitting in Nashville in my friend Meera's kitchen - feeling lucky to be traveling a little, and seeing friends. We've been cooking a ton - on tonight's menu is this cauliflower black bean dish and a vegan chocolate pie. Yesterday I met with some of the artists from The Warren, our old studio, and it was so nice to catch up. Time is a wild, wild thing. But before I get too sentimental (which I'm prone to do) let's dive in to this month's post!

Last month we discussed navigating new creative endeavors and I shared a couple exercises on visualization - seeing in your mind's eye and in the world what you want in your future. This month I’m sharing thoughts on REALIZATION which is just a fancy word for getting things done. Here are six tips on actually 'doing' the work you dream about - some have to do with the technical aspect of productivity and others are just helpful perspectives to keep in mind. Let’s get to it!

ORGANIZE 
This might be a no brainer, but wasn’t to me - I'm still learning how to break large tasks into smaller ones. Last year, I systematically organized my dream projects (books, retails, etc) into manageable to-do lists and even that felt like a momentous step forward. I started to recognize a map with clear guideposts, instead of seeing my goal as an amorphous ‘someday’ dream.

To organize tasks for a new creative endeavor, take your visualization exercises from last month's post and make a list of everything that needs to be done for your new project to be out in the world. First, do a brain dump of everything that comes to mind - list everything you need to do (or research) in order to make the project a reality. You can list details about the actual project too, how it will look, how you will market it - whatever comes to mind!
Next, organize the list into chunks - starting broad and working down to the details. For example, let's say I want to 'create stationery.' I might list types of stationery, paper and printing options, packaging, distribution details, artwork needs, etc. Next, I’d do very specific to-dos. Perhaps I want to make greeting cards and notecards. I’d get particular on which greeting cards I’m making and what artwork I need for them. Or perhaps I’d list all the samples I’d need (paper/packaging etc) and research vendors.
Once I have everything listed out, it’s much easier to see the game plan come together. Suddenly it feels very possible!

SCHEDULE
While it can be difficult to plan new creative projects amidst life responsibilities and current client obligations, dream projects can sadly fall to the wayside unless we make it a part of our schedules. I used to do Personal Work Wednesdays where I wouldn’t touch a client project but instead only focused on my own work. (I may start those again, I miss them!) I remember an epiphany I had when I discovered these Personal Work Wednesdays were feeling too indulgent - it dawned on me how unreasonable it was to expect to work on my own projects 2 or 3 days a week, when I couldn't even justify one.
Personal work has always taken me farther than client work - it's riskier but the payoff is more rewarding. I realized I had to schedule in personal work much the same as client work. (And not to brag but I’m my favorite client so why wouldn’t I?!)

I highly suggest setting hard deadlines for personal work and scheduling in time for your new projects alongside current obligations. While it can be scary to work on things for our own pleasure, or not yet for income, it’s key to a long lasting creative career. And, setting deadlines helps us to take our work more seriously - something many creatives can benefit from.

Extra resource rec: Lisa Congdon’s Time Management class helped me a lot in scheduling!

START SIMPLE
When we're heading into a forest, do we choose the thickest mass of bramble to bust through or do we scout out a clearing in the trees? Most of us would look for the easy and simple way in! Sometimes we fail to carry that over into our creative lives and instead overcomplicate things by feeling the need to complete everything at once (just me?) Recently I was talking to my creative mentor about my inability to prioritize things I wanted to pursue. For example, I dream of having a retail shop and collaborating or creating a host of goods and products. I was getting overwhelmed by what to do first and her advice was to start simple - taking the path of least resistance. She suggested I reopen my online shop with just prints - maybe cards, and once that grows, I can reevaluate and add more.

If it's overwhelming to consider embarking on a totally new endeavor, consider a simplified path. What do you already have experience in? What’s the most basic facet of your new creative endeavor that you can complete so you feel you’re making headway?
(PS - My online shop is finally opening back up in September!! Also planning to do some markets and sell in person this holiday season - what a dream!)

ENJOY IT
Recently I’ve felt the need to disappear for a while, create the brand and work I wanted, and come back with a bang. The whole 'make an album in a cabin in the woods' sort of idea. But again, the same creative mentor offered something much more doable and rewarding - "Why don't you just take your audience on the journey too?" I realized that I've never made work in a cave, but instead I've enjoyed the process as much as the end result, and I've always been open to sharing as I learn.  The process can sometimes be more exciting than the end product - it’s where everything seems possible.

Accepting and celebrating where we are in our creative endeavors is key. A creative career is a rewarding one, but also keeping a lightness and a passion in our process helps us feel fulfilled as we create, not just when we're finished.

MOMENTUM
Don’t underestimate the power of momentum. One of the biggest challenges can be starting - we all know the terror of the blank paper staring back at us. Procrastinating can be helpful to a point but when the waiting is fueled by fear, a wall can paralyze us from even trying. It still happens to me all the time, and I consider myself an active artist.

There are a couple things you can do to break the ice when you feel the hesitancy of beginning. You can do warm ups - drawing simple shapes, lines, and doodles to get your mind and hands loose. Working on scrap paper helps when fancy paper is terrifying. Maybe it helps to write a little or dance a bit or sing in the shower to feel more free. When I'm feeling stuck, I pull something out of my creative compass jar and work on that. Next thing I know, showing up at my work desk doesn't seem so daunting.
Once you’ve bypassed the hard part of starting, check your 'to do' list to what you can accomplish. Before you know it, you're well on your way of achieving the projects you love.

ONE DAY AT A TIME
Recently I was reminded by a plant on my windowsill that progress happens one day at a time. I’m a new plant mom and I bought a sweet little geranium on the cusp of blooming. Each day I watched her unfold unhurriedly - in her own time, quite unrushed. The small leaves unfurled into soft lime folds and the bright petals untwisted and spilled out in a vibrant magenta. She’s gorgeous. But guess what - she took the time she needed to make sure everything was done right by her. And that’s what I’ll do too. I’ll enjoy the process and remain grateful for the opportunity to bloom. I’ll keep working hard and I’ll take things one day at a time. Maybe that’s just what you need too?

PS - This little geranium illo is a test run, but the final will be a print in my shop when it opens in September. How about that!

As always thank you so much for being here every month, for sharing in my world and work, and for giving me an audience to talk shop with. One of my favorite things is sharing my process, things I’m learning, and ways to have a more rewarding and long lasting creative career.

Doing these monthly bulletins has been so fulfilling for me, something to look forward to every month, and I hope for you as well. In that spirit, I’m happy to announce in addition to these monthly posts, I’ll be starting a membership platform on my site in July. Nothing will be taken away from the posts, but having a paid membership space will allow me to invest more time, share, and be able to keep creating content I love to create. More on that in the month to come…keep your eyes peeled!

OKAY I hope your June is filled with wonder and fireflies (I already saw a couple in Nashville!)
I hope these little tips help you feel at least one step closer to making the work you love.
Take care of yourselves and each other - see you next month!!

xo, Becca