Image: Me at a local gallery in March 2022, where both of my artworks sold.l

​In 2022, I had one of my best years yet regarding reaching my creative goals.  In one year, I was able to reach some creative milestones that I never was able to otherwise.  I realize that this year was a bit unusual but then I realize that because I took time to actually set my creative goals instead of leaving everything to the wind, I was able to make and exceed my goals with my creative life this year. 

This year I am able to celebrate that:

• My work was featured in four group art exhibitions (two juried), one of which two of my artworks sold, and two of my artworks was used to promote the exhibitions by the host;
• Four of my poems were officially published in a anthology featuring women poets  (which officially be launched in 2023);
• My art has been published in a local art center's 2023 calendar featuring the art of other members.
• I completed my first draft of my book for midlife creatives. 

How did I do it?

There were a few things I did early in 2022 that helped me establish and stay focused on my goals.  Here's a few of them:

1. Established "My Why":  I established what my "why" would be for my creativity in 2022.  This was the basis for all I did creatively in 2022.
2. Visualization:  I envisioned how I wanted to show up as a creative in 2022.   I thought about what I wanted to accomplish and how I wanted to feel as a result.
3. Intentions:  After I visualized what I wanted, I set intentions.  I used those intentions to create a mandala vision board to visually represent what I wanted to accomplish.
4. Set Goals:  Based on what I wanted to achieve, I set goals based on due dates for submission dates for my art or poetry.  I worked hard to reach these goals and was able to make all submission dates on time.  
5. Prioritize My Creative Life:  I made time as a appropriate to make my creativity a priority when it made sense to.
6. Micro-Movements:  I set tasks and steps to reach my goals in small steps without overwhelming myself.  If there was no progress, I didn't punish myself.  I allowed myself space to enable my muse to inspire and direct me to what I needed to do when I needed to do it. 
7. Support:  I had colleagues that helped me stay accountable to my goals.  Whether it was individuals or a creative community, I had reminders that helped me as guideposts along the way.

​Let Me Show You How You Can Do It

Did your schedule prevent you from reaching your creative goals this year?
Do you have the urge to start pursuing your creativity but been holding back due to fear?
Not sure how to make your creative goals happen in 2023?

No matter how creative or "un-creative" you consider yourself to be, there's always room for inspiration and improvement.

If you are an artist, writer, author, creative, maker and 2022 left you a little exhausted and uninspired, join me for a fun and engaging workshop where we will:

Get clear on your creative "whys"
Cover a few tips and practices to "spark" your creativity
Help you find time and ways to get your creative practice in during the day or week.
Develop a strategic plan to get you going creatively for 2023

​This workshop will be offered on January 8th.  Register by January 7th to be able to receive all materials.  Materials including a workbook will be sent out prior to the event. We will gather on Zoom and a link will be sent within 24 hours of the workshop. 

EXTRA BONUS: You have the option to meet with me for one-to-one coaching for the new year as well!
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Join me by clicking the button below and let's get going on making some wonderful creative dreams a reality in 2023!

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There comes a time when we have to make a big decision with our creativity....whether or not to share it.  I have noticed this is a big issue for many people in creative recovery....I hear a lot of people rationalizing why they don't share their work. 

• "It's something I do for myself, not for others." 
• "I really never thought of sharing my work." 
• "It's not all of that...just something I do privately."

But in the back of many people's minds is really, "I don't feel confident about sharing my work."  Or "people are going to trash it."  And of course, "my work doesn't look as good as. so and so's."

Gaining the confidence to share your work is a process that takes time and patience.  I always tell people to be gentle with yourself with this and to trust your intuition as to when and how you will share your creativity.  But once you gain the courage to share your work, you will find that it will be one of the most rewarding and freeing feelings that you will ever experience.

It took another artist friend poking me ever so often to share my work.  I was more known as an art curator than an artist at the time, and didn't feel confident putting my work next to the beautifully talented artists that I worked with in exhibitions.  My friend and I were co-curatoring an exhibition at a coffee shop in Baltimore, Maryland and she encouraged me to make something for the show.  I did and it was a proud moment for me to place it on the wall and place a label beside it.  After that, I had the courage to submit my work in a few exhibitions and next thing I knew, I was exhibiting regularly as an artist.  When I first sold my first art piece, I really gain more confidence to create more work for exhibitions.  Even today, after over ten years of exhibiting my work, I get just as excited as I did with my first sale.

But how do you get there?  Here's a few tips that may help you move from hiding your work to getting it all out there.

1. Feel all the feels.  Putting your work out there makes you vulnerable.  You are opening inner muse to the world.  It's scary.  ou are putting yourself out there...sharing your truth on your terms.  Don't deny yourself or ignore the fact that the fear is real.  But know this, when your creativity is something that the world needs.  Someone is wating to be inspired by what you create.  And you are worthy to create and share something that can be celebrated by others.. Don't waste energy on what people think, what someone else is doing or the "crtics"....it doesn't have to be perfect.  And creativity  moves us to take risks....you know that you are on the right track when you are moved past your comfort zone.  Write out what you feel is the worst possible outcome of sharing  your creativity.  Then write out what you feel the benefits are.  Look at the first list...and ask yourself, how likely is the worst outcome actually happen?  How would you feel if another 5 or 10 years go by and you missed out on the benefits of sharing your work?  Let your muse lead the way.
2. What is your "why?"  Think about why you want to share your work.  Is it a life-long goal?  Is it help or bring beauty to others?  Or is it because someone is pressuring you to do it?  Be clear how sharing your work can fulfill you personally.  If you are giving into pressure from outside of you when you don't feel ready, examine why you feel the need to give in and how it would benefit you.
3. Set a goal to share your work.  When you decide that you are ready to share, set a goal that you feel that you can reach easily.  What is a good time to share it?  When do you think you might be ready? The goal does not have to be big or fancy, just what works for you. You may want to think more sooner than later, i.e., why wait a year when you know your work may be ready in 3 months? 
4. Visualize what success might look like.  What are you looking to gain as a result (which is related to your why)?  For example, are you looking for feedback, compensation, or the satisfaction that you are contributing your creativity to the world?  How do you want to feel?  Visualize and concentrate on what you want the outcome to look and feel like so you can own the moment. 
5. Get some honest feedback.   Share your work with one or two people you trust and be open to their feedback before you share to a wider audience.  Choose someone who is not only supportive of your creativity but can provide objective feedback in a tactful and helpful way.  If you are a part of a cretive communitiy that you trust, share your work with them.  Listen actively and let your intutition guide you on making any necessary changes.  You don't have to incorporate any feedback, but don't be closed. Stay open to what is said about your work, you may stumble on something that will really take your work to another level.
6. Choose the Venue or Event to debut your work.  It may be sharing your poetry during the next family dinner gathering or the writing support group you are a member of.  You may want to display your art in your office where your co-workers can see it.  Start small then to get overwhelmed or intimidated by something big.

In conclusion, I thought I would share the following advice that appeared on on a blog featured on Life Hacker on the topic of sharing your creativity by Leanne Regalla, a Freelance writer and content marketer: 

• "Take baby steps. People vastly underestimate all that is involved in getting your work out there.
• You'll never be without fear. Successful people learn to act in spite of fear.
• Mistakes aren't the end of the world, and when handled gracefully they can win you fans and friends.
• Everyone won't like your work, and that's ok. It doesn't make you less of a person or artist.
• Celebrate your victories, even (especially) the small ones!"

Have you recently started sharing your creative work to others?  What steps did you take to get the courage to share your work?  What would you do differently?

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As a creative who is immersed with my own art making ventures  it is important that I take the time to be clear on what I want, what matters and what doesn’t.  Since we are on the cusp of spring, I am taking time to revisit my intentions and goals for my creative practice.   I have found in the past when I did not take the time to “feel” my way into my intentions the grounding doesn’t happen and I end disappointed and a bit frazzled at the end of the year.  

I talk a lot about the importance of setting some intentions and goals in relation to your creative practice.  Today, I wanted to share a tool that I use to make sure that I keep on track with what I have set for the year, quarter, month or week.   One of the methods I have been working for the last four years with is the Desire Mapping process, which helps identify the “feelings” you want to experience with all aspect of your life, rather than tangible, concrete resolutions or goals for any given year.  As a creative individual, this process appeals to me because it allows me to look at major goals and opportunities based more on energy/vibes than a check mark for my resume.  The Desire Mapping process focuses on  “Core Desired Feelings” or CDFs that you identify after a fairly lengthy process which focuses on what you want to feel about all aspects of your life.. At the end of the year, I completed my CDFs for this year and much of what I decide to engage in or be informed by will be based on these CDFs.  

I also use the Desire Map planner to review my progress toward my goals and make sure that my CDFs are in alignment with my plans for the week, month or quarter.  The planners are very attractive and provides helpful quotes and prompts to guide you in making the best decisions that align with what you desire to feel.  

What process do you use for setting intentions or goals?  How do you track them?  Do you use any special planners or guiding imagery or words to keep you on track?  Please share in the comments. 
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