Designer | Creator | Mischief Maker |
If you’re anything like me and on a bit of a self development quest (either knowing where you’re going or simply wishing you did), you have probably heard a lot of talk about a ‘vision board’, also known as a ‘dream board.’ So what is it? Well the idea is that in order Continue reading “…HOW DO I MAKE A VISION (OR DREAM) BOARD?”
So, as I’ve already mentioned, one of my aims for 2018 is to do something towards personal development every day. Last week I enrolled on the Mindset Shift Summit, (which I discovered thanks to those wonderful @DigitalMums on Twitter), organised by the lovely Sophie Segal, and signed up to participate in a series of inspiring talks all with the objective to help support mums find flexibility and confidence… Continue reading “MINDSET SHIFT SUMMIT 2018 REVIEW”
Are you (like me) wondering which business direction to go in? Confused as to whether to broaden or narrow your business ideas? In this great article from Talented Ladies Club, Hannah Martin sets the record straight;
“One of the biggest mistakes young businesses make is trying to be everything to everyone. When taking a generalist approach, you pit yourself against industry giants who, with huge budgets and a very well-established name, are extremely difficult to compete with.”
So how can we survive in the business world? Continue reading “FINDING THE RIGHT NICHE…”
One of the ways in which I’m trying to gain clarity and stay motivated on my long, entrepreneurial journey is to listen to podcasts. I find that it’s a great way to discover new ideas, listen to first hand experiences from entrepreneurs who have already made it and learn valuable lessons on tools, tricks and tips on transforming a dream into reality. Continue reading “5 PODCASTS FOR CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS…”
Welcome into our lives 2018 (cue raucous applause and party poppers). What will this new year hold? Practically everything I read around this time of year is a reflection of the past 365 days with pauses for thought and calls to action for the year ahead but I think I’ve done enough internal analysing over the past year.
During my maternity leave, I made a decision to really work on self development, knowing that becoming a mummy would be challenging and push me beyond anything I’ve ever done before. I was doing pilates most days, watching videos about goal setting, learning about branding and reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert but for all the good it was doing me, I was worried about my future career prospects…. Continue reading “FUTURE PROOFING AND UP-SKILLING WITH DIGITAL MUMS”
I’ve always been a bit envious of those people with a clear idea as to what their purpose is, almost wishing I too could label myself and ‘belong’ somewhere! I’ve tried lots of things and have a wealth of different experiences, so much so that there’s very much a ‘Jack-of-all-trades, master of none’ aspect to my life. Continue reading “FINDING A PURPOSE…”
Resurrecting this blog from the depths of darkest cyberspace is a little daunting to say the least. Why did it stop in the first place? Because, like so many other fledgling bloggers, I was too unsure and overwhelmed to really Continue reading “RESET, RESTART; FOLLOW YOUR HEART…..”
So, it’s January again and whilst the world is busy detoxing, enrolling in gyms, abstaining from alcohol and trying not to fail at the same New Year’s resolutions they made last year, I have decided I want something different for my 2016.
Among the usual New Year wish-list, you will still find “READ MORE” and that old favourite “DO MORE EXERCISE,” but this year there’s also room for a ‘new entry:’
*** MAKE TIME FOR BEING CREATIVE ***
As a creative person, it almost feels silly having to say this out loud but at times, it’s so easy to get bogged down with everyday chores, work stress and social commitments that there just doesn’t seem to be any time or energy left for the simple pleasures like creating. Then, when a moment arrives, my brain starts analysing all the things I probably could/should be doing and I watch another potentially creative moment slide away.
Since last year, I’ve been collaborating with 2 exceptionally creative schools in Trento where my students are studying graphics and fashion design and it’s so inspiring to see what they come up with. I like to think that being immersed in these creative environments is having a very positive affect on my own desire to design and make and has pushed it back up to the top of my priority list, where it belongs.
I suppose the lesson learned is that we can all say we don’t have time to do things but it’s not the time we lack really, it’s the WILL to do something about it. After all, WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY did not become a cliché for nothing…
(NOTE TO SELF: MUST NOT GIVE IN TO LOGICAL, RATIONAL BRAIN FUNCTION; MUST START LISTENING TO CREATIVE INNER-VOICE…)
So, in light of this creative awakening, I wanted to share publicly my resolve to make more time for designing, making, coming up with ideas and then finding ways to express them.
As with anything intimidating, it’s about taking those baby steps. First one? The quick sketchbook moment above, inspired by the typographic work of Tobias Hall (see his website here) who is currently, firmly on my designer radar. This was then shortly followed by step 2, signing up for email alerts from the very inspiring paintedsummers.com (relaunching soon). Everything I read rang true so hopefully it will be another push in the right direction.
Next step? That one’s obvious – get my butt into gear and make stuff!!
Happy, happy 2016 everyone and may it be overflowing with creative moments for us all!!
Zoe x