A lot of people might be surprised to hear that my mantras include: do less, be a be student, what can you let go of? I do a lot. I'm juggling more projects, in more capacities than sometimes seems humanly possible.
Here's just a partial list. Project Managing a volunteer effort for Taproot Foundation. Submitting art and installation proposals for 3 upcoming shows. Planning Kirtanarama, 3 days of global chant at FIGMENT, on Governor's Island. Painting 3 rooms. Reclaiming old gardens. Planting a vegetable garden. Planning a workshop with Karuna project founder, Claudia Coenen. Preparing to start an MFA program. Working on redesign of two websites.
Each of these could qualify as a full time job. And while it often looks (and) feels like I'm spinning around in circles, a circle is a sacred space, a container, a basket.
So, how do I do it?
I give myself permission to do what I feel like first. And for only as much time as I feel like. The things I may need to do, but don't feel like doing, go to the bottom of my list. And when I do get to them, I give myself just 5 minutes to start. Then, I have a choice as to whether I want to continue or not. (Creativity Coach Marianne Mullen calls it choice management.)
Most often, the distastefulness of the task at hand is so diminished by the 5 minute marker, that I'm happy to continue and complete. This works especially well for me with health insurance claims and other form filing minutae that make me slightly crazy. But it works for projects I'm passionate about too, that seem difficult to start for lack of time. Making art is great, creating proposals to make art, not so much.
If this all sounds counter productive to you, just give it a try when you are feeling less than inspired. See what works for you.
May your day be filled with the Magic Medicine of running, hopping, skipping and jumping in the sacred circles of your choosing.
Here's just a partial list. Project Managing a volunteer effort for Taproot Foundation. Submitting art and installation proposals for 3 upcoming shows. Planning Kirtanarama, 3 days of global chant at FIGMENT, on Governor's Island. Painting 3 rooms. Reclaiming old gardens. Planting a vegetable garden. Planning a workshop with Karuna project founder, Claudia Coenen. Preparing to start an MFA program. Working on redesign of two websites.
Each of these could qualify as a full time job. And while it often looks (and) feels like I'm spinning around in circles, a circle is a sacred space, a container, a basket.
So, how do I do it?
I give myself permission to do what I feel like first. And for only as much time as I feel like. The things I may need to do, but don't feel like doing, go to the bottom of my list. And when I do get to them, I give myself just 5 minutes to start. Then, I have a choice as to whether I want to continue or not. (Creativity Coach Marianne Mullen calls it choice management.)
Most often, the distastefulness of the task at hand is so diminished by the 5 minute marker, that I'm happy to continue and complete. This works especially well for me with health insurance claims and other form filing minutae that make me slightly crazy. But it works for projects I'm passionate about too, that seem difficult to start for lack of time. Making art is great, creating proposals to make art, not so much.
If this all sounds counter productive to you, just give it a try when you are feeling less than inspired. See what works for you.
May your day be filled with the Magic Medicine of running, hopping, skipping and jumping in the sacred circles of your choosing.
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