October 17, 2011

art to inspire: finding your zen

print by Fresh Words Market - click for info

Have you ever said something like this outloud or even just thought it quietly to yourself? “If I can just get through __________, everything will be so much better.”

Or maybe it was… “If only I didn’t have to worry about money, I would be so much happier. I could do whatever I wanted with my life…”

Or maybe it was more like… “Well, of course _________ is successful, he/she has had a far less difficult path to travel than I have.”

Or maybe… Well, I could go on, but do I really need to?

Surely, you’ve looked at your own future (or someone else’s present) at one point or another and made an excuse as to why you are not where you want to be (happy/more successful/whatever) in this very moment. That you are living in. Right now.

Running a business can be difficult, being a mom can be stressful, having to work 40+ hours a week at a job that you hate sucks, BUT I have good news:

You can change it. You can make your life exactly what you want it to be.

BUT (yep, there’s a but) there is a catch: YOU have to do it.

Someone else is not standing in the corner waiting for you to tag them in so they can make your dreams come true.

Nope, it’s on your shoulders. So in order to get where you want to go, you might just have to work hard, stay dedicated, be passionate, and remain positive – even when you don’t want to, even when you don’t think you can.

Because the only zen you will find at the top of a mountain is the zen you bring up there yourself.

How will you bring zen to your mountain today?

 

Filed Under: art to inspire, brittni {paper n stitch}, creative thinkers Tagged With: , , , , , 5 Comments
September 26, 2011

art to inspire: a time for adventure

"Let's Be Adventurers" by Fifi Du Vie - click for info

Wake up. Brush your teeth. Get dressed. Have a cup of coffee (or tea). Maybe even a bagel. And then get your work day started.

Sound familiar?

We all fall into routines. Good or bad. It happens. And that is perfectly okay. Routines can be a great thing – they keep us organized, on task, and give structure to an otherwise unstructured day.

BUT if those structured days that you’ve come to know feel more like a rut than a routine, its time to make a change.

What kind of change? A simple shift toward becoming an adventurer.

Do something completely out of the ordinary, something far from the “normal” day to day tasks of your business. Something that is for sheer pleasure or inspiration. And, most importantly, something that reminds you of your passions, not your obligations.

When it comes to adventure, there are no limitations. It can be as small as taking a Photoshop course at your local college (you’ve always wanted to take it and although it has nothing to do with your current creative pursuits, there is truly no time like the present. so get to it) OR as big as packing up all your belonging and moving across the country to a new place with new opportunities (this is something that I literally just did myself – I moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Seattle, Washington on September 23).

Believe it or not, taking the time to do something that seems like it’s “just for you” and completely unrelated to your biz can end up positively affecting your creative work exponentially. So give it a try…what do you have to lose?

Being an adventurer will not only bring you back to your day to day with a fresh perspective, it will also re-ignite the flame that has been dimming for some time.

So, what kind of adventurer will you be?

Leave your response in the comments below.

Filed Under: brittni {paper n stitch} Tagged With: , , , , , , , 6 Comments
August 29, 2011

art to inspire: simple tips for avoiding burn out

Feeling uninspired and overwhelmed by your work?

Don’t worry, it happens to everyone. There are some easy ways to avoid complete and utter burn out. You just have to recognize when it’s time to step away and listen to that little voice inside.

So, let’s start with a couple of questions…

How do you know when you’re about to burn out?

Oh, you’ll know! Trust your instincts on this one. If you are starting to feel bogged down and unenthusiastic, that’s a tell tale sign that its time to step away before you hit the hard road to B.O. (yep, I abbreviated burn out as B.O. because, let’s face it, it stinks!).

And when do you know when you’re ready to come back after taking a break? There is no definitive answer here. It may take a few days or just a few hours. It really depends on how deeply rooted your burn out is. When you do come back you’ll want to trust you instincts again. Listen to that inner voice. It will tell you when you’re ready to come back.

(above) Trust your Instincts + You Know More

Okay, so what are the steps for avoiding burn out or recovering once it has happened?

If you are teetering on the edge of burn out, you need to clear your head and your mind of the stresses that are causing you to feel exhausted. One of the best ways to do that is to change your environment. If you work indoors, head outside and away from the computer. Go do something fun that is just for you.

Hobbies are a great thing. So, don’t let your work run over the other things you really enjoy doing outside of your business, blog, or nine-to-five job. And along those same lines, taking care of your physical health is just as important as your mental health. Maintaining that balance will help you de-stress.

(above) Clear your Head + Unplug

When you’re feeling re-energized, slowly transition back into your regular work load. Maybe start by heading back to the drawing board. Brainstorm new ideas away from the computer if that is where you do the bulk of your work.

Working and creating in a new place just might give you that fresh start that you need. Who knows, the change of scenery might even lead you to the the brink of something wonderful.

(above) The Brainstormer + On the Brink

And if all else fails, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Team up with like-minded people. Sometimes two (or three) really are better than one.

(above) Together

What are your tips for avoiding burn out or bouncing back after the big B.O.?

Share your response in the comments section below.

Filed Under: brittni {paper n stitch}, illustration | painting, inspiration Tagged With: , , , , , , , 12 Comments
August 15, 2011

art to inspire: lessons learned from the eternal optimist

Being your own boss is amazing, but it’s not always easy. There are ups and downs in every business. So, when things start to lean more toward stress than success, take a few lessons from an eternal optimist (and add your own to the comments below)…

Half Full + Every Cloud

1. Your glass is always half full. Be a “half full” kind of gal (or guy). Seeing the positive in all situations (or at least as many situations as possible) can do wonders for your overall mindset and outlook on life. Your business will benefit from a positive attitude.

Get Back on the Horse + When Life Gives you Lemons

2. Get Back on that Horse. Remember, there are going to be hiccups in your biz – you can’t avoid them all. So try to remind yourself, whenever you need, that it’s how you handle those hiccups that will determine whether you become a success story or another statistic.

If You Think You Can, You Can + Do Something About It

3. Dream it and Do it. And finally… This last tip makes a whole lot of sense, but it isn’t always the easiest to follow. So, here it goes: YOU have to make things happen! It’s great to dream, but you are responsible for making those dreams come true!

Now it’s your turn… Share your own lessons for success in the comments section below.

Filed Under: brittni {paper n stitch}, illustration | painting, inspiration Tagged With: , , , , , , 7 Comments
August 1, 2011

Art to Inspire: The “Follow your Dreams” Guide

You are a passionate woman (or gentleman) who has goals in life.

Lots of goals, in fact. Or maybe just a few very BIG ones.

You have a list of accomplishments you hope to one day achieve. You have hopes and you absolutely have DREAMS.

If you’re nodding your head right now, this is the guide for you.

There will people along the way who tell you can’t do “it”. Whatever “it” may be. Heck, that person might even be yourself. So, when things get tough, pull yourself back up, and read this guide to remind you of the things, I am willing to bet, you already know. Sometimes a reminder is all you need…

1. We are the Dreamers: You are not alone. There are many, many of us out there with dreams, goals, and aspirations. We all have something inside of us that allows us to think bigger and try to see the larger picture in life. Some people just ignore. You don’t.

2. Let Go of Disappointments: You will have ups and downs. Successes and failures. But don’t let the hard times overshadow those amazing things that you want to accomplish. Go back to number one and remember you are not alone: we are all dreamers. You can do this!

3. Dream Until your Dreams Come True: In the words of Journey, “Don’t stop believing.” Don’t let those dreams die or fall to the wayside when other “stuff” comes up.

4. If You Can Dream It You Can Make It: Anything is possible. So don’t lose faith in yourself. Remember when your mom used to say, “You can accomplish anything that you put your mind to”? She was right! It might take some (seriously) hard work and dedication, but you can do it if you make the effort to go down that winding path to success.

5. Dreams are Filled with Silver and Gold: And finally: Your dreams matter! They are special and important. Don’t forget that.

Take action now. What positive words of encouragement can you share with those that might be struggling with their dreams and/or success right now? Leave your response in the comments below. Or share your goals and dreams for the future.

Filed Under: brittni {paper n stitch}, illustration | painting Tagged With: , , , , , , , , 6 Comments