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10 Ways to Build Positive Momentum Toward a Project or Goal

For a lot of us creatives we can be so overwhelmed with ideas, life, or our own personal issues that it can be hard to simply start on ANYTHING. Instead of getting started, we can get stuck in a rut that can turn into an even bigger mess (emotionally or literally). For example, if you’ve ever had to clean or organize your craft room, sometimes the mess is unbearable and it’s easier to clean the door to our space than tackle the issue at hand. So what happens?  We avoid that room, thus keeping us further away from our creativity or making a mess in another room that becomes just as bad. And you know what? One small action like putting away a bag full of creative supplies from the craft store or clearing off our sewing table is just what we need to get the motivation going. They always say the secret to success is getting started, so here’s some ways you can start building some momentum toward your goals that can potentially be a catalyst to bigger things.

1)
Write a text or email or make a phone call you’ve been putting off, take care of your shiz

2) Share a connection or important insight/tool/tip with a friend or colleague to help them grow in their relationships/knowledge

3) Bury the hatchet on a past conflict, accept accountability and move on (especially with someone you care deeply about)

4) Do something out of your day to day routine… wear a new lipstick, dress up for work, or try a recipe you never normally try

5) Help out or offer a listening ear to someone who’s going through a rough time, it will help build empathy and give you perspective

6) Knock out that project you’ve been putting off and if you need to, employ a buddy to hold you accountable

7) Purposely force yourself to stay off the phone or Netflix (struggling with this…read this); put that time to use in a productive way

8) Tell someone you adore how much you care for them, this also applies to people you enjoy their content online, let them know, you could make someone’s day and also make a new friend.  Also the good energy you put out there comes back to you!

9) Have a conversation with a stranger and gain a new insight; open yourself to people instead of staying closed off

10) Go to a local event or class to network and/or relax and learn a new skill

Hope these little tips make you think and help you get in a more positive mood this week! Which one do you think you will try?

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5 Motivation Tips for Creatives

Are you struggling with your creativity as of late and can’t seem to focus on your passions? Being a creative can be hard because…SQUIRREL!  We can often get distracted by anything and everyone.  It is incredibly hard to stay on task these days, especially now with all the notifications and updates happening on your social media and the need to be connected to your phone 24/7.  Believe me, I have a hard time with it too, but am COMMITTED to getting better, even if it is baby steps.  Here’s a few things I’ve been doing that have helped me out a lot and I hope they can help you get into the zone as well.

In addition, some food for thought I recently heard a podcast or Youtube video that said that if we treated our time more like jobs we were committed to that it really can get us in a better mindset.  For example, a delivery driver has to make sure he gets his shipment from point A to B in a certain span of time. If you look at your work more as a job like that (making pit stops/fill ups along the way), it can get you into a healthier groove with your time.

1) Use your voice device (like Amazon Alexa) to set timers to remind you to get off phone; you can say, “Alexa, set a timer for 15 minutes” then let yourself have those minutes to peruse the internet and social media as you wish.  Once the time goes off, you put the phone down and get to work.  You can also do this to set up blocks of time of uninterrupted work. If you don’t have an smart voice device, you can always use a handheld timer or your phone.

2) Take a forced detox from technology. Put your phone in a drawer or in another room where you are doing your creative work.  If you don’t trust yourself, ask a family member to hold the phone for you so you don’t use it. Force yourself to stay in the zone for hour blocks at a time.  If you are going long spans of time, maybe have 5-15 minute breaks of time to do a quick check, use restroom, get a glass of water, etc. but stay committed to getting back to the work.

3) Have an accountability buddy where you can both help each other stay focused and
 in the zone. Meet together at each other’s house, coffee shop or co-working space to get work done. This will also help have another person to call you out if you are staying
 lacking focus, etc. You both will feel a sense of accomplishment and empowered (just like if you had a walking buddy to exercise with)

4) Before you begin your work, plot out your goal and the steps it will help you get to the goal. This way, you can focus on one step at a time, then take a mini break in between to accomplish your larger goal. 

 This will make the job seem less arduous and you can reward yourself with coffee or a little treat in between each mini goal accomplishment.

5) Give yourself a deadline. For example, purposely plan a fun activity in the middle of the day or evening, then commit to getting the work done before you meet your friend for lunch -or- before you allow yourself to go to Starbucks. Not only will you want to get the work done before the deadline; you will also be rewarding yourself for the work you just completed.

Which one of these do you think fits your personality most and will be something you think you can do to stay focused?  Leave me a comment below and let me know!

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