Around the middle of each month I am up, dressed and out the door for what has turned into an obsession indulgence. I know that somewhere on my local Barnes & Nobles magazine racks I will find the latest (albeit a month late) issue of Mollie Makes. From the first issue, it has become my most favorite craft magazine and, unfortunately, is printed in England and difficult to find in the states. But, oh, the articles, tutorials, ideas and crafts – I cannot even begin to tell you how good they are.
Yes, I know – Mollie Makes also offers a digital version but, oh, to hold the magazine in my hands and turn each page. And there is no cute envelope with a surprise crafting project attached to the the digital. No, digital just doesn’t “get it” here.
And I could subscribe…. but $133.11 at today’s rate exchange from British pounds.
B&N carries about 5 issues, so I have to be quick before they are gone. (Seems I’m not the only one with the Mollie obsession.) And, yes, I have asked them to reserve or save me a copy but they don’t do that “with magazines.” And it wouldn’t be as much fun.
And eagerly looking through the racks is reminiscent of an easter egg hunt – with Mollie being the golden egg.
Oh, and if I miss a copy? JoAnn’s carries Mollie also – but they don’t have coffee and big arm chairs to settle down in to savor each page.
As most creative-type people, I spend a lot (huge emphasis on lot) of time thinking and planning. Then, when I’m tired of planning I usually browse around the web and read my favorite blogs and, by the time I get back around to the actual doing, I’m exhausted – and sometimes a little discouraged just looking at all those other sites and their clever art and writing…
And there’s the trouble in a nutshell: the “too much” planning and then comparing
Neither one of those (in large doses) will get you ahead. Got a plan? Move on it. Comparing your work to others? Just stop it.
New routine = better results
1. Devise your plan before you get too rushed or uptight or anxious. Relax! Ever notice how ideas just come “out of the blue” when you are doing something like cooking, walking in the mall or taking a shower? There’s a reason for that: you stopped thinking too hard – leaving your mind open to receive.
2. When you have one of those brilliant insights or ideas – sketch or write down the notes immediately because they can be illusive little things. Always keep a pen a notebook handy. And, yes, I have paper and pen next to the shower and in the kitchen. Grab those gems even if they seem a little far-fetched or outrageous. They are gifts.
3. Stop comparing yourself. To anyone. You are unique with unique offerings. You are a gift.
4. Act on it. Do the next logical thing – even if it is just a small action. You’ll get there but you have to put it in motion like only you can.
5. Enjoy the process – wrap yourself in the delight of knowing that you are doing something you love in service.
And hopefully the chart above will improve with a better plan, increased love for one’s self and work and knowing that you can do it.
Because you can!
I’m a huge fan of motivation in almost any form or shape it may come. Lately, however, my inbox has been literally filled to the brim with what I call “motivation for the masses” — emotional encouragements calling me to action, yes, but end up more often a sales pitch to buy yet another product or course. Seriously good stuff maybe but I’m getting to the point where I just want a little sincerity.
But that’s marketing. Just flip the channel on your television for a few minutes and you’ll hear all kinds of promises and claims. The hour long info-mercials are the worst best examples.
I have so many thoughts on being encouraged via email by people who really don’t know me but think I might be in a certain mindset: scared of a poor economy, fearful of who is running for election, anxious for the future, understanding my need for a huge mailing list. The reality is, some of these things never occur to me and certainly have no place in my inbox (or my mind) and, as a result of noticing, I’m becoming very wary of “tricky” subject line in emails.
Go past the hypnotic headline, read the fine print and see if there’s any real meat under all that fluff. I promise you will be surprised at how much money you will save rather than “make”. Wait at least 24 hours to act on any proposal to see how you feel before pushing that “Buy Now” button.
I have to get to my inbox now – I think I saw something there about a man’s head exploding…
Seriously. Have an amazing day.
I have to admit that I’m more “unicorns and rainbows” than practical or fearful. There’s just something about very powerful about the potentiality of magic that holds my attention. So much better than, ugh, fear.
And fear. What is that about?! Sometimes you just have to pull yourself out of the grip of fear and look for that glitter.
Fear? Uh, I’ll pass.
Glitter? Yes, thank you!
That’s right. When I don’t know what to do, I do nothing. I relax.
Sometimes the busy-ness of feeling like I have to be doing something all the time ends up leaving me with less clarity than I had when I started.
Take a walk, sit by a stream, meditate. Be quiet.
