prints

Brittni Mehlhoff June 25, 2012

art to inspire: 9 Inspiring Quotes to get you Through the Summer

The sun is shining and the flowers have bloomed – it is finally summer, the season of rest, relaxation, and sitting by the pool. For me, summer is not just about sunburns and tiny umbrellas, though; it is also the season of reflection and regrouping.

Now, I know that the end of the year is the time typically reserved for these types of things, but the middle of the year is just as good.

Why? Depending on what industry you are in, summers are typically slower than the other seasons, with customers on vacation and kids out of school – leaving you with more time to plan for the next six months and evaluate your progress thus far.

Make sense?

Good.

So while you’re resting, reflecting, and regrouping this summer, here are 9 inspirations to get you through the slow(er) season…

(above) 1. Let the Flower Bloom

2. Let the Sun Shine

3. Find a Path

4. Do Not Forget to be Awesome

5. Live with Passion

6. Ma’am Step Away from the Computer

7. One Step

8. Adventure

9. Don’t Give Up

Have your own quotes to share?

Leave your response in the comments below.

Today’s article is my last post for Art to Inspire here on Scoutie Girl. I have absolutely loved being a contributor here for the last three and half years, but have decided it is time to move on to pursue other interests. Thank you so much to Tara for having me and all the amazing Scoutie Girl readers who have followed my columns here over the years. I hope you’ll continue to follow me on my blog, papernstitch.

Filed Under: art to inspire, brittni {paper n stitch}, Buy You, For You Tagged With: art, artists, artwork, brittni melhoff, inspiration, prints, quotes, summer 4 Comments

Brittni Mehlhoff May 28, 2012

art to inspire: knowing when it’s time to soar

Today is Memorial Day here in the States, and many of us have an extra day off – a third day added to that always-goes-by-too-fast weekend. I hope you are spending it with family and friends, getting out of the house, and recharging for the week to come.

But when you go back to work tomorrow, or if you are already back to work today, think about what you really hope to achieve with your work week. Are you trying to keep up with your orders and just stay above water? Or are you hoping that this is the week that you’ll land that big wholesale order or get featured on the blog you would just about die to be on?

If all you are hoping to get out of the week is more of the same, then by all means, keep doing exactly what you are doing. Pretty simple.

If you are dreaming about stepping off the plateau and soaring to the next level, you are going to have to do things a little differently.

So where should you be spending your time?

It is time to explore the bigger picture and plan accordingly.

Decide what you want and go for it. Start your day by writing an email pitch to that blog you dream of being featured on, not writing yet another post for your own blog. Don’t forget to press the send button on that pitch, too, by the way.

Or spend your morning making a list of brick and mortar shops that would be the absolute best fit for your work. If they aren’t going to come to you, you need to go to them! And make sure you start sending out inquiries to those retailers once you’ve made your list too.

Bottom line: YOU need to make it happen because…

Dreams don’t work unless you do.

This week, you need to make your business work for you, so that you are not just working for your business.

What you will do this week to make your business work for you? Pledge it in the comments below.

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image c/o Promo Pocket (found via Going Home to Roost)

Filed Under: art to inspire, Buy You, For You, creating action Tagged With: art, brittni melhoff, dreams, etsy, inspiration, inspirational artwork, prints, promo pocket, tackling your dreams 3 Comments

Brittni Mehlhoff April 30, 2012

simple tips for avoiding burnout

This post was originally run in August 2011, but it’s still a great reminder for us all.

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: Buy You, For You Tagged With: brittni melhoff, burnout, encouragement, illustration, prints, tips for avoiding burnout, work 2 Comments

Brittni Mehlhoff April 16, 2012

art to inspire: words to live by

Instead of blabbing on and on, I am going to let today’s artwork do the talking. Here are nine quotes to get you through the week…

(above) You are my Sunshine by Blacklist Studio

Don’t Let… by Rachel B (Moonflowers)

Always Chase your Dreams (Bear and Robot)

Happy Travels by Karen Yi (Almost Sunday Inc)

Dr. Seuss Quote Print (Livy Love Designs) + Find your Purpose (Tucker Reece)

There is Nothing Wrong with You by Mati Rose (Suspect Shoppe)

Do More of What Makes you Happy by Brooke Witt (Near and Dear)

Not all who Wonder by Rebecca Peragine (Fresh Words Market)

What words do you live by?

Leave your response in the comments below.

Filed Under: art to inspire, Buy You, For You Tagged With: art, art to inspire, artwork, blacklist studio, brittni mehlhoff, inspiration, inspirational prints, mati rose, print, prints 4 Comments

Brittni Mehlhoff April 2, 2012

art to inspire: 7 reminders you should hang in your workspace

Imagine if every time you were feeling unsure, stuck, or in a rut, you could simply look up and be reminded of the things you have forgotten along the way. Well, guess what? You can! You just need to track down a few posters or prints that speak to you and hang them where you’ll see them most – in your studio or office.

Not sure where to find these thoughtful inspirations? I’ve picked out my seven favorites to get you started.

(above) 1. Make Magic Happen and 2. Always Stay Well Tuned