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Tag: mindfulness

Ins and Outs for a New Year

As one year ends and another begins, take inventory of what needs to stay in 2022 and what you’d like to carry with you into the new year. From creative pursuits to relationship goals, make a list of the “ins” that can serve as guideposts as you take on new projects and decide how to spend your time. For creatives, the ability to commit to making art, regardless of the end result, is particularly important. Make art, make bad art, and block anyone who stops you from sharing it. Seek pleasure and imperfection and look for ways to welcome more wonder and magic into your days.

Scarcity mindsets can be left behind, as well as people-pleasing and comparisons. Throw away pressure to publish “content” into the bin, along with tendencies to edit and overedit your work. Writer’s block is a definite out, and the compulsion to shrink and second-guess intuitive decisions can, too, be shoved into a bag and taken outside.

You deserve all that supports you in creating and growing and thriving. Any other rubbish belongs in its rightful place: in the trash.

Happy New Year, my friends.

Community is good business

When I log onto LinkedIn, I see a slew of “Community Manager” job postings. It’s taken awhile, but businesses have finally realized the value of community. The problem? Building community isn’t easy.

Maybe you’re trying to build platforms to encourage discussion and facilitate learnings. Perhaps you’re wanting to bring together like-minded individuals and introduce professionals with complementary viewpoints. Or you’re needing support yourself and craving the encouragement of those with common interests.

How should you begin?

Revisiting your why can help you focus on the work and your audience — not your own insecurities, anxieties, or ego. No community is built overnight; it takes time to establish trust and reputation within any group of people. And most likely, you will have to step outside of some comfort zones.

Whether you’re growing an online community or building a network within your neighborhood, you’ll be faced with tactical choices. How do you communicate? What are the rules of engagement? Are finances needed? How much energy and time is required from participants? When cultivating community (or looking for communities to join) consider these prompts:

Think of the communities you are part of. How do you show up? What do you gain? What do you offer? Who are you meeting?

Think of the communities you grow. What do they expect from you? Why are they there? What are they hoping to learn? Who would they like to meet?

Let me know how this exercise works for you. I’d recommend a solid fifteen minutes of free-writing. Don’t edit yourself, just go!

Follow your joy

2020 has been rough. What can help you forge ahead and start 2021 fresh? Notice your joy — and follow it.

Find places that bring smiles. Recognize moments that offer lightness and reprieve. Spend time with those who make you feel good.

If joy feels like a stretch right now, start with curiosity. Ask questions. Surprise a friend. Create magic for yourself. Say thank you.

Joy is waiting.

Power up your inbox (and your life) with these free newsletters

Your inbox doesn’t need to be a source of dread. In fact, with a little attention, weekly emails can deliver inspiration and insight to your daily routine.

Here’s a few to get you started:

For body and spirit

This quirky Texan churns out free weekly yoga videos so you can stay mindful and active all year long. Adriene’s approach to health and wellness is both refreshing and fun. yogawithadriene.com

For self-improvement

Tonya pours champagne flutes of encouragement to help women and men live artfully and well. Her free podcasts and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her community mix lightness and direction for those interested in personal development. frenchkisslife.com/about

For your mind

James Clear’s 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter offers an inspiring mid-week pick-me-up of facts, quotes, and questions that also act as excellent writing prompts. jamesclear.com/3-2-1

To boost creative zest

This Sunday meal of art, literature, and and science is a must. Paired with a hot cup of coffee, Brain Pickings is a necessary ritual for a positive start to your week. brainpickings.org/newsletter

To build community

David’s “One Email Away” connects strangers with opportunity. Whether you’re looking for a mentor or a hire, this email is a fine place to expand your network and contribute more generously to the world around you. portfoliocareerpodcast.com/oneemailaway

For your business

Seth Godin is dedicated to daily missives of advice for marketers, entrepreneurs, and social do-gooders. He delivers. sethgodin.com

Letting go: A skill

Most people hold onto relationships or situations longer than necessary. Stability is appealing, and change is hard. Loyalty has the potential to be faulty, however, and should be reserved for situations that show promise and potential. Even reciprocity.

We have limited energy to share. Learning to discard situations and environments with insight and discretion is a necessary skill. Maintaining energetic ties with people who are rude, mean, or unkind serves nothing and no one.

Releasing stale, stagnant people and places welcomes more power, more magic, more energy, and more love into your life. Though difficult, it is never too late to recognize and change behavior patterns.

That which you focus on is what will expand.