This was someone's twitter thing. And it was kind of cool. Though he was some marketing geek chap and I read some of his tweets and I thought, no, actually, I am not sure I will follow you on your journey. Even though he may well be a nice chap. But immediately I was hooked by that line, "follow me on my journey". and I thought he probably is quite good at marketing, because, that's a good line. I was momentarily hooked.
But I do like to follow people on their journeys. Its the classic story isn't it.
The journey. The quest.
And that's what this is - this blog. Its a quest.
And a quest to work out how to earn money at the same time as do the best I can with my life. How to thrive, with meaning, joy and a sense of freedom.
I certainly don't feel that I have done my best today. Its been a bit of a wash out. I did house stuff, so the house is hoovered and we have plenty of food in. But that, in all sincerity, was procrastination.
I wrote last, that I am motivated by frustration. Well, I am frustrated today.
I am heading off into the unknown. Spurred by frustration.
Follow me on my journey.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Sunday, 8 June 2014
Frustration & Delight
Somone on facebook asked, "what motivates you?" and initally I was just going to write delight. or Freedom or some such postive thing. But in truth one of my biggest motivators is frustration.
Its when I am really pissed off about something, I kick in and do something about it.
So on Friday I was really pissed off. I don't know why - I had had a brilliant day. But I ended it with feeling all annoyed and angry and I took it out on the house.
Here goes the venting. Our house needs SO MUCH doing to it and I need more MONEY to do it and I want it to be sorted ALREADY!!! ESPECIALLY that damn dripping tap (etc etc)
Dripping tap has truly gone beyond. It cannot be stopped, not even with extra vigorous turning. And needs the extra vigorous turning in order to not actually be running. It is seriously annoying.
Oh and its not just that, there are a whole host of things that were annoying me, the state of the rug in the living room, the crappy kitchen, the ceiling in the hall, the back garden, the door, the windows, the curtains.... ah, you know. EVERYTHING.
And so I sat down and wrote down my main frustrations. The things that were really BUGGING me. And because it has been part of my work life for the last 2 years, and really I ought to know how to do this, I took myself through the process.
1.what is bugging you?
2. How would it be if it were all sorted / ticked off the list / DONE?
3. What is the teeny tiniest step you can take RIGHT NOW to start moving towards that end result.
So - the house. OK there is the roof extension and a new kitchen and so on, but the main end result is "I have a beautiful home that I am proud of".
And I figured that even though I won't be sorting all of it just now, I could, at least, make it as beautiful as I possibly can, right now. I could clean it thoroughly and give it a paint job.
And I could get the handyman round to fix the DAMN TAP (and the tile grouting in the bathroom and that broken light fitting)
So on Saturday I started cleaning (there was this particular area on the kitchen ceiling, that I had started cleaning a while ago, and in fact had just made things worse and smeary and it looked hideous - that was first) and I got some paint, and started painting. Man it was already making a HUGE difference. I had no idea actually how grubby my kitchen walls had become, this lick of paint thing was a really good idea.
I called our handyman and he came around and quoted £120 inc taps (maybe less ) for the work. Its being done on Friday. Sooner if it rains.
And I got some herbs (on offer 9 for £5!) and planted them in the garden.
Hub and Bub cleaned the front of the house, swept the steps and washed the windows. The kitchen is nearly finished and I will be starting on the hallway tomorrow night.
But the very most main thing about all of this. Is how I feel. I feel SO energised and good. SO MUCH better than the ranty, grumpy despondent beast I had become on Friday night.
Stopping, having a bit of a think, working out what I really want and DOING something about it dramatically changes you feel.
(still a lot of painting to get done tho......)
Its when I am really pissed off about something, I kick in and do something about it.
So on Friday I was really pissed off. I don't know why - I had had a brilliant day. But I ended it with feeling all annoyed and angry and I took it out on the house.
Here goes the venting. Our house needs SO MUCH doing to it and I need more MONEY to do it and I want it to be sorted ALREADY!!! ESPECIALLY that damn dripping tap (etc etc)
Dripping tap has truly gone beyond. It cannot be stopped, not even with extra vigorous turning. And needs the extra vigorous turning in order to not actually be running. It is seriously annoying.
Oh and its not just that, there are a whole host of things that were annoying me, the state of the rug in the living room, the crappy kitchen, the ceiling in the hall, the back garden, the door, the windows, the curtains.... ah, you know. EVERYTHING.
And so I sat down and wrote down my main frustrations. The things that were really BUGGING me. And because it has been part of my work life for the last 2 years, and really I ought to know how to do this, I took myself through the process.
1.what is bugging you?
2. How would it be if it were all sorted / ticked off the list / DONE?
3. What is the teeny tiniest step you can take RIGHT NOW to start moving towards that end result.
So - the house. OK there is the roof extension and a new kitchen and so on, but the main end result is "I have a beautiful home that I am proud of".
And I figured that even though I won't be sorting all of it just now, I could, at least, make it as beautiful as I possibly can, right now. I could clean it thoroughly and give it a paint job.
And I could get the handyman round to fix the DAMN TAP (and the tile grouting in the bathroom and that broken light fitting)
So on Saturday I started cleaning (there was this particular area on the kitchen ceiling, that I had started cleaning a while ago, and in fact had just made things worse and smeary and it looked hideous - that was first) and I got some paint, and started painting. Man it was already making a HUGE difference. I had no idea actually how grubby my kitchen walls had become, this lick of paint thing was a really good idea.
I called our handyman and he came around and quoted £120 inc taps (maybe less ) for the work. Its being done on Friday. Sooner if it rains.
And I got some herbs (on offer 9 for £5!) and planted them in the garden.
Hub and Bub cleaned the front of the house, swept the steps and washed the windows. The kitchen is nearly finished and I will be starting on the hallway tomorrow night.
But the very most main thing about all of this. Is how I feel. I feel SO energised and good. SO MUCH better than the ranty, grumpy despondent beast I had become on Friday night.
Stopping, having a bit of a think, working out what I really want and DOING something about it dramatically changes you feel.
(still a lot of painting to get done tho......)
Thursday, 5 June 2014
a Massive Update
Here is a big from my last track track tracking post
end goals
get more do:work trainings set up and in the pipeline
10+ students into class for Clocktower Yoga
running successful art and yoga retreats / events
another yoga class and 5 private yoga clients
selling artwork for £200+ each piece
hanging with my tribe
working with my tribe
good holidays
house decluttered (loft in particular)
new trainers (dark blue / dark grey)
finances totally under control (funds set by for future taxes & other known expenses)
will written
I am the best yoga teacher / trainer / parent / artist that I can be
Well. the big news is that People Who Do are off in their own beautiful directions doing things like These Atoms and Then Somehow.
Well there are a few more things to do, to round off the whole thing, but essentially more do:work trainings set up and in the pipeline is not going to be happening. There is one more, I believe, in October, which they have asked me to deliver. I have yet to hear what the date is but I am pretty sure it is happening.
I am pretty sad about it to be honest. I loved working with those guys. Particularly on the really creative projects such as do:lab at UBM which was fun, challenging and really different. I am sure that what they do next will be really interesting too.
So, that leaves me - having spent 2 years of my life being trained up and gaining excellent experience helping people get more productive and manage their inboxes. I can't do the exact same training as I delivered with People Who Do because it is theirs. However, I can "make it my own". To be honest by the time I got to the end of that first year, a great deal of it was my own. I read up on the subject and I developed ways of delivering the workshop. I was always a freelancer on it so my input belongs to me. So...I am half way there. Of course what I don't have is the course materials, the marketing back up or a website, or a back office delivery system. So I am considering how I might set these things up. I have decided that I may focus on the smaller businesses and charity sector - people who could really do with my help - and who were not able to afford the People Who Do offering. As a sole trader I am able to be more flexible on price. And I like helping people.
Clocktower Yoga is slowly slowly building up as the word gets our and our students are finding us. We are appealing to the non competitive Yogis out there. We are not the hot sweaty I can bend more than you type of Yoga (its all a wrong wrong wrong thing and not even a "type of yoga" in my book!) We are getting a lot of men, who need to work on their flexibility - often because they do some sport or other and have not ever done the important stretching part. And many women who hate the whole pumped up Bikram thing and want a kind, calming, more mindful form of yoga. It is a slow build though and sometimes I find this frustrating as I seem to be clocking up more hours and we are not earning anything yet. I am in two minds persistence and perseverance v cutting my losses and focusing on stuff that brings home bacon. For the time being however I am all into the keeping going. We are taking a break in August and September is always good month for new sign ups. We will see. The growth is ever upwards. And people LOVE the classes. Which is delightful. I am off the idea of starting my own class at the moment as I feel one class is enough.
I am getting fantastic feedback on my Wild Art Journalling courses. Which is so encouraging and delightful. I am likely to be setting up an evening session - by popular demand!!! I have SO always wanted to say that. It is a truly pleasurable way to earn money and each session has been sold out. All good.
I am planning an art retreat of my own in the summer. We have no holiday plans as such (due to the whole financial control issue, which totally needs to be addressed, and IS being addressed - hence no holiday plans....) And so I thought I would take myself away for a long weekend and produce ART. I am really looking forward to it.
Hanging and working with my tribe. Well the art course is really helping with that. And I am adoring being part of Creative Coffee Company which is made up of a bunch of women creative entrepreneurs. We meet, have coffee, have guest speakers (or not) and we are even planning a creative day trip. I am also getting my good friend Morgan, who runs creative writing courses, involved in my Wild Art Journaling session next week, with plans to do a longer workshop together sometime. And I also spent an enjoyable, if manic, day facepainting with my friend Crim. Another day is planned in July. That with the Artists Intervention Book project which Crim founded, and some regular meet ups for that. So plenty of tribe hanging going on. And when I consider a few years ago, HOW MUCH this was my absolute aim. Its is delightful to find it so healthily supported now.
good holidays..... well I did just go to France with my family - to meet up with my cousin and her family who now reside in Australia. A joy to see them, and I got my fill of divine cheeses and fine wines. That is it for the time being as - well - Project Financial Control is underway. And I am missing TODAY, my dear dear friends 50th birthday party in Ibiza because of this. I wish wish wish I could have gone. But I need to work. And earn money. And not pretend that everything is OK when it isnt. I am taking care of my finances, and they are in need of a little intensive care right now.
I have not written a will.
SO. A massive update. I have been holding off because of the un public nature of what People Who Do were up to. But it seems official now. And life moves on. And I need to create a professional website to do that helping people Get Stuff Done side of my life. And indeed, I need to activate that side of my life myself. Its TIME, ladies and Gentlemen. To GET STUFF DONE. bring it on
end goals
get more do:work trainings set up and in the pipeline
10+ students into class for Clocktower Yoga
running successful art and yoga retreats / events
another yoga class and 5 private yoga clients
selling artwork for £200+ each piece
hanging with my tribe
working with my tribe
good holidays
house decluttered (loft in particular)
new trainers (dark blue / dark grey)
finances totally under control (funds set by for future taxes & other known expenses)
will written
I am the best yoga teacher / trainer / parent / artist that I can be
Well. the big news is that People Who Do are off in their own beautiful directions doing things like These Atoms and Then Somehow.
Well there are a few more things to do, to round off the whole thing, but essentially more do:work trainings set up and in the pipeline is not going to be happening. There is one more, I believe, in October, which they have asked me to deliver. I have yet to hear what the date is but I am pretty sure it is happening.
I am pretty sad about it to be honest. I loved working with those guys. Particularly on the really creative projects such as do:lab at UBM which was fun, challenging and really different. I am sure that what they do next will be really interesting too.
So, that leaves me - having spent 2 years of my life being trained up and gaining excellent experience helping people get more productive and manage their inboxes. I can't do the exact same training as I delivered with People Who Do because it is theirs. However, I can "make it my own". To be honest by the time I got to the end of that first year, a great deal of it was my own. I read up on the subject and I developed ways of delivering the workshop. I was always a freelancer on it so my input belongs to me. So...I am half way there. Of course what I don't have is the course materials, the marketing back up or a website, or a back office delivery system. So I am considering how I might set these things up. I have decided that I may focus on the smaller businesses and charity sector - people who could really do with my help - and who were not able to afford the People Who Do offering. As a sole trader I am able to be more flexible on price. And I like helping people.
Clocktower Yoga is slowly slowly building up as the word gets our and our students are finding us. We are appealing to the non competitive Yogis out there. We are not the hot sweaty I can bend more than you type of Yoga (its all a wrong wrong wrong thing and not even a "type of yoga" in my book!) We are getting a lot of men, who need to work on their flexibility - often because they do some sport or other and have not ever done the important stretching part. And many women who hate the whole pumped up Bikram thing and want a kind, calming, more mindful form of yoga. It is a slow build though and sometimes I find this frustrating as I seem to be clocking up more hours and we are not earning anything yet. I am in two minds persistence and perseverance v cutting my losses and focusing on stuff that brings home bacon. For the time being however I am all into the keeping going. We are taking a break in August and September is always good month for new sign ups. We will see. The growth is ever upwards. And people LOVE the classes. Which is delightful. I am off the idea of starting my own class at the moment as I feel one class is enough.
I am getting fantastic feedback on my Wild Art Journalling courses. Which is so encouraging and delightful. I am likely to be setting up an evening session - by popular demand!!! I have SO always wanted to say that. It is a truly pleasurable way to earn money and each session has been sold out. All good.
I am planning an art retreat of my own in the summer. We have no holiday plans as such (due to the whole financial control issue, which totally needs to be addressed, and IS being addressed - hence no holiday plans....) And so I thought I would take myself away for a long weekend and produce ART. I am really looking forward to it.
Hanging and working with my tribe. Well the art course is really helping with that. And I am adoring being part of Creative Coffee Company which is made up of a bunch of women creative entrepreneurs. We meet, have coffee, have guest speakers (or not) and we are even planning a creative day trip. I am also getting my good friend Morgan, who runs creative writing courses, involved in my Wild Art Journaling session next week, with plans to do a longer workshop together sometime. And I also spent an enjoyable, if manic, day facepainting with my friend Crim. Another day is planned in July. That with the Artists Intervention Book project which Crim founded, and some regular meet ups for that. So plenty of tribe hanging going on. And when I consider a few years ago, HOW MUCH this was my absolute aim. Its is delightful to find it so healthily supported now.
good holidays..... well I did just go to France with my family - to meet up with my cousin and her family who now reside in Australia. A joy to see them, and I got my fill of divine cheeses and fine wines. That is it for the time being as - well - Project Financial Control is underway. And I am missing TODAY, my dear dear friends 50th birthday party in Ibiza because of this. I wish wish wish I could have gone. But I need to work. And earn money. And not pretend that everything is OK when it isnt. I am taking care of my finances, and they are in need of a little intensive care right now.
I have not written a will.
SO. A massive update. I have been holding off because of the un public nature of what People Who Do were up to. But it seems official now. And life moves on. And I need to create a professional website to do that helping people Get Stuff Done side of my life. And indeed, I need to activate that side of my life myself. Its TIME, ladies and Gentlemen. To GET STUFF DONE. bring it on
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
Delight Delight Delight
"Moyra creates theses delicious books that are full of creative
explosions, a really cathartic and wholesome way to spend a morning that
will help unblock and motivate you to bring more creativity and
expression to your life " Annabelle Nicoll
What a beautiful comment about the Wild Art Journalling Sessions I am hosting at No 45. Brighton
It totally and utterly warms my heart that I am re introducing people to their WILD creative selves. The work being produced is amazing and exquisite. And I am loving how everyone is delighting in their creative expression.
Such a Joy.
What a beautiful comment about the Wild Art Journalling Sessions I am hosting at No 45. Brighton
It totally and utterly warms my heart that I am re introducing people to their WILD creative selves. The work being produced is amazing and exquisite. And I am loving how everyone is delighting in their creative expression.
Such a Joy.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Got my Art Journalling group starting on Friday!
I am currently working on this. Planning the structure. Re planning it. Thinking of the group and what they will want. How to ask them. And give them tasks and yet let them roam free with their creativity. SO excited about it. Slightly nervous too, but in a good way. I have SO much to share and say that its hard to crunch it all down into something that will be satisfying and yet indicative of how much more there is to do! I may have to explain that it was kind of designed as a course, and is now a series of drop ins..... hum hum ho! Going to have to be a lot of playing it by ear too.
Just been reminded that sometimes less is more. And Beginnings. Creative beginnings. Is a good theme.
Oh yeah! SO excited! Its going to be fabulous.
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
track track tracking
Oh. My. Just found this. I posted a little while back about tracking. Its a personal thing. This is what I wrote
end goals
get more do:work trainings set up and in the pipeline
10+ students into class for Clocktower Yoga
running successful art and yoga retreats / events
another yoga class and 5 private yoga clients
selling artwork for £200+ each piece
hanging with my tribe
working with my tribe
good holidays
house decluttered (loft in particular)
new trainers (dark blue / dark grey)
finances totally under control (funds set by for future taxes & other known expenses)
will written
I am the best yoga teacher / trainer / parent / artist that I can be
Actually things are going pretty well. For most of it at any rate, and more on that later in the year.
I do really need to get to grips with the finances being under control. I cannot OH CANNOT seem to muster the time energy and so on to finish the damn receipts. I really want to do this. I really want to do it by the end of next week.
This week my priority is definitely the format of the art workshops I am running on Friday and Saturday. I have been thinking a lot about them. But they are still nebulous. And i have quite a lot of people booked in, so I cannot be this nebulous. I need a plan. Particularly for the one on Saturday, which I am having to rethink.
Am really looking forward to the holiday in half term with my family and cousins from Australia. There is a heated pool and loads of car free grounds for Bub to run around in. Hurrah!
I still have not found my ideal navy blue trainers either.
end goals
get more do:work trainings set up and in the pipeline
10+ students into class for Clocktower Yoga
running successful art and yoga retreats / events
another yoga class and 5 private yoga clients
selling artwork for £200+ each piece
hanging with my tribe
working with my tribe
good holidays
house decluttered (loft in particular)
new trainers (dark blue / dark grey)
finances totally under control (funds set by for future taxes & other known expenses)
will written
I am the best yoga teacher / trainer / parent / artist that I can be
Actually things are going pretty well. For most of it at any rate, and more on that later in the year.
I do really need to get to grips with the finances being under control. I cannot OH CANNOT seem to muster the time energy and so on to finish the damn receipts. I really want to do this. I really want to do it by the end of next week.
This week my priority is definitely the format of the art workshops I am running on Friday and Saturday. I have been thinking a lot about them. But they are still nebulous. And i have quite a lot of people booked in, so I cannot be this nebulous. I need a plan. Particularly for the one on Saturday, which I am having to rethink.
Am really looking forward to the holiday in half term with my family and cousins from Australia. There is a heated pool and loads of car free grounds for Bub to run around in. Hurrah!
I still have not found my ideal navy blue trainers either.
I am an artist. I am a host. I get stuff done and create my life.
I probably do more than just the above. Am thinking a lot at the moment about what it is I "do". Or maybe what it is I am.
I am an artist
I teach yoga
I am a yogi
I parent
I host
I am a host
I help others to plan their work better
I help people create more time and space in their lives
I teach destressing techniques
I teach mindfulness
I provide energy and connection between human souls
I create
I encourage creativity
I cook
I manage the household
I cuddle
I love
I support
I have 3 main things I do for money
Art / Yoga / Productivity Coach (wince) (Oh I am still working out how to describe in the best way this part of my life) (going to have a bit of a go here) (I wish I could afford Alexandra Franzen!!to help me with my wordsmithery)
OK..... here goes.... How do I describe it best. I help people make time and space in their lives for what they really want to do.
I help people make time and space to be more creative
I teach productivity. Personal productivity. I help people manage their work so that they are less stressed. I help people declutter their minds.
I work with people to help them discover better ways of managing their work. hmm, that's not bad.
I change people's lives.
I give down to earth, practical advice on how to make work less stressful.
I dunno. What do you think???
I am an artist
I teach yoga
I am a yogi
I parent
I host
I am a host
I help others to plan their work better
I help people create more time and space in their lives
I teach destressing techniques
I teach mindfulness
I provide energy and connection between human souls
I create
I encourage creativity
I cook
I manage the household
I cuddle
I love
I support
I have 3 main things I do for money
Art / Yoga / Productivity Coach (wince) (Oh I am still working out how to describe in the best way this part of my life) (going to have a bit of a go here) (I wish I could afford Alexandra Franzen!!to help me with my wordsmithery)
OK..... here goes.... How do I describe it best. I help people make time and space in their lives for what they really want to do.
I help people make time and space to be more creative
I teach productivity. Personal productivity. I help people manage their work so that they are less stressed. I help people declutter their minds.
I work with people to help them discover better ways of managing their work. hmm, that's not bad.
I change people's lives.
I give down to earth, practical advice on how to make work less stressful.
I dunno. What do you think???
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