Monday Post ~ January 31, 2011
Dreaming, doing, living
What would you like to accomplish creatively this week? Given the specifics of your schedule, decide on a realistic task or a milestone to reach for. Share your goal(s) as a comment to this post, and let us know how things went with your creative plans for last week, if you posted to last week’s Monday Post.
Suggestion: When you’re deciding on your creative intentions, it’s a good idea to think about WHEN you’re going to write those 2,000 words or paint that canvas. Try to schedule the time slots in your calendar (if you keep one), understanding that flexibility may be required. If things don’t happen when you wanted them to, that’s OK. Give yourself a gentle push with one hand, but pat yourself kindly on the shoulder with the other if you don’t reach your goal for a given week. Sometimes it’s easier, sometimes it’s harder. Ride whatever you’ve got.
It’s also useful to have a sense of your minimum requirements (come hell or high water I’m going to write 100 words) while keeping a lookout for sudden opportunities to do more. You know, the day that the baby takes a monster nap or your partner takes the kids out to run errands and you find yourself with an unexpected “extra” half hour. Grab that time for yourself. You can catch up on the dishes and the laundry later. If you keep something creative in the back of your mind for those sudden opportunities, you’ll be more likely to use them to your advantage — rather than squandering your precious bonus moments on Facebook or vacuuming out the sofa cushions.
Studio Mothers: Life & Art 
I’ve got to say that the snowfall up here in New England has been somewhat overwhelming — and we’re about to get another 12-18 inches. Where will it all go?
The week before last, my 5-year-old didn’t have a single day of school (he just goes mornings, so if there’s a school delay, he just doesn’t have school at all). The only reason I made so much creative progress was by relying heavily on a certain Wiggles DVD gifted by a certain Brittany Vandeputte 🙂
Last week we had another snow day and general chaos when we ran out of oil because the oil truck couldn’t make it up our glacial driveway (my husband was away on business, of course) and I had to personally spread 300 pounds of ice melt on my hill so that the truck could get to us. It was also my daughter’s 15th birthday and other fun distractions, but the week was quite productive.
Last week I wrote: “Go back to the personal essay I was working on a month or so ago and try to finish that up — or at least get to a complete draft by the end of the weekend. AND, delve into some fun creative projects with the kids.”
Outcome: I never made it to my personal essay, as I spent the week working with the editor at Wild Apples to revise my accepted submission. It was tough work, but the editor was fabulous and I’m very pleased with the final product — which I wouldn’t have been able to produce if she hadn’t pushed me. I did have other creative successes: some projects with the kid and a lot of fun keeping my Project Life binder updated (MUST blog about that soon). I also started journalling on a regular basis again — trying to add that to my morning routine, even if it’s just a page.
This week: Try to spend at least two hours on the personal essay. Finish the magic wands I’m helping the little guys create. Journalling. Oh, and valentines. LOTS of valentine creation on deck 🙂
I hope everyone else is feeling in the groove!
I have been wanting to draw every day for some time now. I will work on that this week.
I have 7 slides to finish for my Pecha Kucha presentation by Friday. AGH! It will all get done, it will all get done…
I have one baby shower gift to finish and one tattoo to begin designing….but plenty of time with all of the snow coming to us here in MA …. on top of the 4ft already in my front yard…looking forward to another snow day – WOO!
I am working on redefining myself and my brand online.. I am working with a graphic/web designer on designing a brand new website for me including my blog and etsy.. so lots of work and thought.. in a few months though it’s gonna be fabulous!
Working on that this week and spending time inside my first ecourse, it starts tomorrow! hugs xo bonnierose
I wanted to introduce you to this woman, in case you hadn’t yet met.
http://www.brenebrown.com/welcome
Watched her TED talk last week. Liked it a lot.
And while I am here and it IS Monday still. I’m going process ten more rolls of film this week. (Did a dozen over the weekend.)
Make posters for, and start a Facebook page, for my Zumba class, starting 2/16.
Hi everyone, started and COMPLETED all the illustrations for the children’s book. Now I need to begin to add color. So the goal to have at least 6 of the 12 done this week.