Limitless Funds

I have been struggling with my business this month. I am finding it challenging to get my day started, get motivated to work on any of my projects, and investing the time needed to finish up my everyday work.

There are so many things in my business that I wish I did not have to do. If I could get up each day and do a little blogging, creative projects, and design jewelry, I would be one happy lady.

What if you had limitless funds, how would you change your business?

I know I would hire people to do all those things I don't really enjoy, such as accounting, social media updates, and general business projects. This will leave me time to do what I enjoy, and knowing that my business will still keep growing and profiting.

For now I just have to keep myself motivated and put in the time necessary for my business to grow. I have decided to use this idea as motivation to get myself back on track. Tomorrow is a new month and its time to put my plan into action!

What about you, what would you do for your business with limitless funds?

Creative Gatherings

There are times when you need an inspirational boost. Being around other creative people is a great way to get motivated and inspired.

A couple of years ago I met with a group of friends that were fellow artists on a regular basis. We tried to meet at least once a month to do an art project and just sit and talk about our current projects.

I created this during one of our gatherings

I miss meeting with them, but I got really busy and it was harder to make the commitment to meet. This year I am going to try to get us all together again and get creative.

Do you ever create with other artists or work in different art mediums?

The best part of meeting as a group is trying different techniques, learning a new medium, and just making the time to do something new.

A paint and paper project

It is easy to start up a group:

• Get together people who are excited about the idea of working in different mediums and creating.

 • Choose the size of your group. It can be as few as 2 - 3 people or a group as large as you have space for.

• Everyone needs to be willing to host a gathering and share an art project.

I was lucky, in my group we had a couple of art teachers and they always had enough supplies for everyone to use. I know that is not the case for everyone. To make it easier for the hostess maybe after each gathering you collect a few dollars for the hostess to get supplies for the next gathering.

This is a paint and chalk project I created

There are so many benefits to participating in this type of group:

~ It stretches your creative muscle
~ Talking with like minded people
~ Motivation to stay creative
~ Help with ideas for a projects you are working on

We can all benefit from working with other artist, and working in different art mediums. As creative business owners we spend a lot of time alone working, and it can be lonely sometimes. Taking a break to meet with fellow artist can be very inspiring and motivating.

Put together a group today!

Do you meet with fellow artist in you area?

Motivation Monday

Think about 12 months from now.

What do you want to boast about then 

that you can start working on now?

Great Work Provocations by Michael Bungay Stanier

Do Something Special For Yourself

Last month I had a big birthday, I turned 50. As a treat to myself I did a spa day with a facial, a manicure, and a hot stone massage. It was wonderful, and I felt so good at the end of the day.

I enjoyed my massage so much that I added getting a massage on my master goal list list for this year, so I can get one every quarter. Now I have a plan on how I can work getting a massage into my budget.

When was the last time you enjoyed a relaxing massage? 

Having a massage is a wonderful way to de-stress and relax, and worth every penny it cost to get one.  What do you have to do so you can budget in a relaxing massage? You may just have to sell three more piece a month, or work it into your budget.

Making time to get a massage will help you get more work done. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to work a little harder to achieve your goals.

Is It Time for an Update?

It's a new year, and the perfect time to update your marketing materials.

Last year I changed the look of my business, by using new fonts and colors. After a careful study of my target market I knew my branding needed an update.

This was my first logo

This was what it was updated to in 2009

This is my current logo

This change in my logo and all other marketing materials, really gave my business a fresh new look and now is definitely geared more toward the customers that are buying my designs.

There are so many easy changes you can make to update the look of your business. Start with your fonts and colors these are the two easiest ways to make quick updates.

Here are some resources to get you started on planning out your new look.

Click here for more info on this years choices of Pantones 2014 Spring collection

interesting color combination ideas

Font pairing inspiration

Click here for more info

Click here

Click here 

Pull out all your marketing materials (business cards, tags, notes, brochures, catalogs, sales sheets, etc...) and see what simple changes you can make to update your look. Don't forget to make those changes online (shop, social media banners, blog, etc...) you want your brand to look consistent with fonts and colors across the board.

This is the perfect project for the beginning of the year. Once you have completed your new look, start telling people about it via social media. This is a great way to generate some buzz around your business and encourage new people to check out your brand.

When was the last time you updated your brand?

7 Simple Steps to Become More Disciplined

Achieving our goals requires many factors, but one really important factor, that we don't talk about much, is discipline.

I struggle with this often. Lately it has been challenging to get my day started and to stay on track. I am good about creating a plan and using my to-do list, but once I get ready to start my day I get distracted and deviate from my plan.

Having discipline and sticking to your plan is important to reaching your goals, but can be the difficult to do consistently.

If you struggle with discipline as well, here are 7 ways to develop discipline into your work life.

• Make a personal commitment. Become a do-it now person, doing the things you know you should be doing. 

• Focus on your goals. Review your goals every morning before you start working, this will inspire you to take action.

• Do what you don't want to do first. Block out time in your day for those things you don't enjoy, such as accounting. Getting them out of the way will make the rest of your work, the work you really want to do, more enjoyable.

• Make the decision to get things done in advance. If you have a big project plan it out even before you get out of bed. When you get up add your action steps to your to-do list and start your day with a plan.

• Make it a Routine. For those things you have to take care of daily, weekly, or monthly schedule them for the same day of the week and same time of the day. Knowing they are already on you calendar will make it easier to get them done.

• Get an accountability partner. Do you have someone in your life with a common goal? If so hold each other accountable to get things done.

• Reward yourself. When you do things that require discipline reward yourself for getting them done and for sticking to your plan.

Having discipline in all areas of your life yields many rewards, such as increased productivity, more confidence, and motivation to reach your goals. 

Try a few of these steps for a week and see the difference a little discipline will make in your work life.

Do you feel you are disciplined when it comes to your business?

Motivation Monday

Read For Relaxation

When life starts to get a little crazy, it's important to find time for yourself. Try taking 30 minutes out of your day to relax and enjoy reading a book.

We spend so much time on our computers, pads, and phones, I think people have forgotten all about how it feels to read a book.

I love books, as I have told you before, I am a big fan of the library and the bookstore. Some of my best dates have ended at the bookstore over a cup of tea and a stack of books.

I have a ritual of reading each night before I go to bed. It's my time to just sit and enjoy some peace and quite at the end of my day.

If you take a little time each day for reading you will find that you are more relaxed as you move to your next project. 

If its hard to get some reading in everyday, on your next rainy or snowy weekend pullout one of your favorite books and indulge in an afternoon of lounging and reading.

How often do you get to enjoy reading a good book?