Getting organised and inspired

This Robert Downey Jnr meme is going around Facebook at the moment.

The version I saw used the word malarkey instead of bullshit. In this instance I prefer: “New Year, New Me Malarkey” – maybe it’s the alliteration but it also seems to refer to things people do that they don’t want to admit to and a sense of the to-ing and fro-ing that I think many of us go through in relation to our idea of self and possible improvements on our current state. There’s always something we want to change about how we go about our lives, and the craziness that happens in the lead up to the holiday season can put people out of kilter with their good intentions. And if we’ve struggled with those good intentions over the previous year, then we’re ripe for making resolutions just as the silly season comes to an end and a brand new year beckons.

So I’ll out myself: I’m up for change. The mantra of my adult life has been “I’ve got to get organised” so I’m a sitting duck for planners, list making, diaries, anything that will support my desire to be “organised” which really means making the most of my time so I can focus on doing what I love most – make art. And I want the process to be as enjoyable as fooling around in my sketchbook!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few months ago I went to a Goals Workshop run by Kikki K. and walked out with the lovely Goals Journal, focus, resolution and a packet of rainbow coloured fineliners feeling inspired to make monthly goal setting a little more fun. That was mid-way through September. I managed October and November but didn’t do anything for December and figured I’d start again in January. New Year. New Start. New Resolve. New Planner.

A New Planner??* Yes! And yes I intend to keep using the lovely hardback Goals Journal. But I discovered Leonie Dawson’s Life and Biz Workbook and not only do I feel even more inspired to make more art next year and to share it more widely, I have a feeling this might be the secret ingredient to help me. The  workbook does look kind of kooky but Leonie is so down to earth and successful in her business (ie she clearly knows her shit) that I decided to buy the e-book version.

I have yet to start writing (typing) in it but I have been seduced by these words:

“This workbook is going to take you through the essential questions you need to answer in order to shift your business (and life) into something incredible over the next year. I know it works, because I’ve been using the same questions every year to double or triple my business every single year. And all while working just a couple of hours a day.”

I actually like the idea of shifting rather than changing. It sounds gentle and as if you’re just exposing, uncovering, discovering, something that was already there (which is quite a bit like the unfolding process my art goes through.) And I think this is what underpins our annual re-assessments and resolution making – it’s about rediscovering – and then revealing the parts of ourselves that we keep pushing down.

How do you feel about planning, goal setting and New Years resolutions? I’d love you to share your ideas and thoughts in the comments below.

PS Just so you know all the links to The Life and Biz Workbook are affiliate links, meaning I get some pocket-money (for art materials) if anyone purchases with that link.

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