Friday, October 28, 2011

"Nurture Your Creativity"


This post is in reply to a Facebook photo By Katie Hudnal -- Creative Work Beginners   The closest link I could find is this one to the set.  Look for the image quote by Ira Glass.

My reply to the quote:
Yes.  This is true.  "We all go through this"  The only thing I'm not going to swear by is the "deadline so that every week you finish one piece" because some of my work took four or five times that amount of time to complete even when I spent 40 hours a week on it.  Some of it still takes weeks of focus.  So, depending on the type of work you are doing, that 'one week for a project' might not fit.



So, Rather than a project a week:
Put yourself on an allowance (the amount of time each week you will dedicate to your creativity).  I have always said creativity needs nurturing so nurture it. I believe we need to remind each other to "nurture your creativity" because when we neglect it we tend to cover up our talents.  We might need to go through some of the process over again when we return to it.
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Remnants of Echos:
I think a lot of the reason this is true is because we have a lot of internal clearing to do.  We have inner voices that tell us we are not that good.  And echos of those who just don't get it saying stuff like "don't quit your day job" to an 11 yr old with a box of hand me down colored pencils.  Or a teacher who puts other kid's stuff on display ahead of yours.  So her room decor is just so.

Those things stick and we don't even realize it.  Don't agree with it.

Creativity isn't measurable like that.  Put your passion into your work and nurture your desire to do the work.  Let the work evolve. Be consistent. 

Nurture Your Creativity,
Deb

About the Advertising: I hand picked this because a friend gave me this book when I was in my time of internal clearing.  I don't know if I would have continued on in the process without it.
The Complete Artist's Way by Julia Cameron was had selected for this post. Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years. She is the author of twenty-eight books, fiction and nonfiction, including her bestselling works on the creative process: The Artist's Way, The Right to Write, Walking in This World, and Finding Water.
  The Complete Artist's Way: Creativity as a Spiritual Practice
  The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life
  Walking in this World: The Practical Art of Creativity

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

... Joyful Stamper: Digital Tuesday - halloween

It has been a delightful journey getting to know DARLA (that digital stamp artist everyone is talking about on Facebook)

I've been blog hopping and discovering amazing card designers... I've decided to start keeping track of them here. Hop on over to ... Joyful Stamper: Digital Tuesday - halloween and see the card Maria entered in Digi Darla's "Fall Fun" Challenge. Want to see more entries in the challenge? Go to DigiDarla.com

Watch for a new site I am creating to highlight Digital Stamping

A whole new world!

I am developing a "guide" with a hundred project ideas for digital stamps.

Check it out HERE

There is so much we can do with digital stamps. I love the cardmaking , but, that is only the icing flower on the cake. ;-)

stay tuned...

♥ Deb
Don't miss the Club!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Organize Your List of Things To-Do -- How Google Docs Organized my Task List

Have you ever wondered if there was an easy way to organize your list of "things to do" and you have tried checklists and other tools?  This idea uses an online option with an offline adaptation.  Both ways will allow you easy access to your assignments and tasks you do for yourself, your family, and for clients.


If you have access to Google Docs you can create a spreadsheet with a list of each item (include a column for each type of information you will need for each item on your to-do list.  Then create a 'submission form' which lets you quickly enter the information for each column on the form (you make the titles for the columns and you create the form as well).  Then you will have a "task submission" form you can fill in as you receive orders (or family to-do, appointments, etc).  After the item is completed you can put a check mark next to the item on your Google Doc spreadsheet.


Include columns about delivery time, payment amount, date payment received, etc and keep this form updated as you receive payments and feedback about each project or task.

I use this method several ways.  I do the data entry on one of them (for my checklist of all clients).  I have a couple that my clients complete themselves.  Because they send so many emails each day I gave them the link to the form to enter tasks instead of emailing me.  You can always us email to sort our any questions you have and then update the forms as you go to work with your particular needs.


In general each "form" should have all the columns you might need to open a task, take notes about the progress, note date ordered, date completed, price charged, date paid, feedback, follow up, etc.

If you do not have access to Google Docs you can still use the spreadsheet option on your computer's desktop (or literally on a printed out spreadsheet with the name of each task and the basic details (name of client, title of project, word count (if you are a writer), due date, date ordered, date delivered, date payment received, how much paid... any other data that will help you to track your daily flow of assignments. follow up with clients, check off your tasks.

If you find these tips helpful, please bookmark and share.

Thanks for Connecting,
Deb

Work In Progress Image: