âď¸ 1 of 4: This is part one of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! As creative introverts, we often say yes to things because we want to be helpful, to seize opportunities, or sometimes just to avoid the discomfort of saying no. But taking on too much can drain our creative energy and leave us feeling overwhelmed. What if you had a simple way to evaluate opportunities before they overwhelm you? Enter your 3-Question Filter â it's your guide for making...
11 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Ever notice how some spaces just make your brain work better? While Instagram-worthy office setups are nice, what really matters is creating a space that helps you think, create, and focus without draining your energy. I'm going to give you four simple ways to upgrade your creative space! 1. LIGHT CONTROL âď¸ Natural light is ideal, but not when it's glaring on your screen Keep a small lamp nearby for evening work Consider your screen's brightness relative to the room (bright screen + dark...
17 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Well, that's it...They are officially here - the holidays. As we move into the heart of the holiday season, I'm starting to feel the familiar tension between my need for quiet creative time and the increased social demands of this time of year. After Thanksgiving gatherings yesterday, you might already be feeling the need to recharge â and thatâs completely normal! I'm right there with you. I will feel on edge until January 2, 2025! I want to share some strategies to help us maintain our...
23 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Just a gentle reminder about true productivity today... I think back over client projects through the years, and I realize I've often apologized for what I once saw as "short" work sessions. "I only spent three hours on this," I'd say, even when those three hours produced exactly what the client needed. It took me far too long to recognize that I was measuring creative work with the wrong tools. Then I remembered my two heartleaf philodendrons on my windowsill. Some days, I can swear they are...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 1 min read
The other day, I caught myself apologizing: âSorry itâs taking me so longâŚâ I was explaining why I hadnât shared any new work recently. Then I stopped mid-sentence. Why was I apologizing for my creative process? For taking the time I needed to create work that matters? The truth is, weâre not working too slowly - weâre working at the pace that allows our best ideas to emerge. And that looks different for each of us. Traditional productivity advice for creators tells us to: Share everything,...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 1 min read
Letâs talk about procrastination - not the usual advice about time management, but the REAL reasons we avoid our project and creative work. I know you know the signs: The heaviness you feel when you think about your project. (ugh!) Finding yourself doing anything else but starting. The âright momentâ that never seems to come. This isnât laziness. When we procrastinate, it's often a signal that something specific is blocking our path. This is whatâs really happening: When you feel frozen:...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 1 min read
As a creative introvert, I feel like those traditional to-do lists are shouting at me. Those stark bullet points and rigid checkboxes often create more anxiety than motivation - kind of aggressive if you ask me! Like they are judging me saying "Hey, you didn't finish this, nor this, nor this!" But what if we could transform our to-do lists from demanding taskmasters into gentle companions? I mentioned whispering to-do lists in last weeks newsletter, so I want to share a little more about them...
about 2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
Have you ever stared at a big project and felt a familiar, overwhelming feeling. Like a fluttering in your chest. You know, it feels like the entire mountain of work seems to be staring right back at you yelling out "Hey, start me! START ME!" When that happens to me, I get paralyzed. It's not that I don't know where or how to start - it's just that I can't start. But I eventually get going, so I want to share an easier way to approach those big projects of yours. There could be a number of...
about 2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
As an introvert, do you find that traditional productivity advice feels a bit... loud? I know that I do! All those "power hours" and "hustle culture" tips leaves me feeling so drained before I even get started. And Iâm sure you feel the same way. But here's the thing: your thoughtful nature is your superpower! And it wonât hold you back from getting all the tough work done. I want to share some gentle, cozy ways to boost your productivity without sacrificing your inner zen. 1. THE GENTLE...
2 months ago â˘Â 2 min read