here's to blogging one more time in 2011!

It's been a great year. A challenging year, but a good year of perseverance and patience that I've made it through. In February I picked up on the Power Year idea and choose a representational animal (the walrus - my own addition, not part of the official Power Year agenda) and set about choosing SMART goals for myself.

I did go from having a short-term part-time job, to having no job, to having a full-time job with benies. That was great in addressing my survival mode outlook. I finally could look at what would be best use of my creative time and talents, my health, and my social needs and no longer do what ever it took to make cash. It was at the end of the year, settling into a regular income, that I made tons of progress and, again, though challenging, got to see a very clear picture of my life and priorities.

I now understand I super-value my time. This is something many people with competing interests, commitments, jobs, families... can understand. Yet, add to it a body that has limitations and isn't always available to meet even my basic needs. I had to get really good at letting things go and living in limbo, in the in-between time. Which is actually an awesome lesson as we are all in limbo and in-between time. Nothing is guaranteed to us, nothing is certain. But what I'm practicing to make certain is that I'll always do the next right thing to take care of my health and well-being.

I can get through *tough* when I have faith and hope. And I'm grateful those didn't falter throughout the year. The thoughts of "this too shall pass" and "when you're going through something tough, keep going!" come to mind. I kept chipping away and making any progress I could. I also had patience when it felt like I was just standing still. With stillness comes insight. (Add more meditation to my list!)


Here are a couple of sites that I've read over in preparing for 2012.  I'll be sharing more of my outcome in the next few days.

Nicole Is Better
She shares how to celebrate this year and prepare for the next year.  There's even a download to plotting out 27 action items per month!

A Beautiful Mess
Elsie shares how to make and keep resolutions.

When I Grow Up Coach
Some links Michelle shares to closing up the year.

I'm excited for 2012 and look forward to sharing the year with creative and courageous people!

Until then... xoxo!

jumping in, in july

Well, first of all, an update:  done! I did it!

June's Power Year Goal ACCOMPLISHED!!! 

Now to jump in for July.  I haven't gotten any inspiring goals message from the Power Year moderator for July yet, but that's just fine as I haven't finished started my personal statement from May.


This morning as I lay in bed, cuddling with my iPhone, I got into Anna's Door Sixteen blog, especially her to-do lists.  Though I've followed her on Twitter mucho, I hadn't spent more than a minute on her blog.  So, it was nice to see her Pee-Wee post putting all her Pee-Wee tweets into context.

Since my day assignment has been cancelled, I've got some time to jump into the blog and jump into productivity.  And do like Anna does and make me a to-do list!

Here goes:

TODAY:

• ugh, find my 2010 IRS filing 
• finish washing the last of my dishes!
• new (bigger clothes) laundry
• goodwill pile out front
• right room (learned from flylady = relocate stuff first, detailed cleaning second)
• some work from home work on the work laptop
• meet that guy to give him the old furniture
• costco return? (nope, not today)
• then there's all the standard self-care available on my teuxdeux list... i try the *meditate* right now... 
• *
  

TOMORROW:

• rest

What's on your list?

*Um, this just in:  
apply to Craigslist ads needing female drummer playing Bonham, and another indie band that sounds cool.  Check.

{power year} may/june

If April was wrap-up month, May was rest-up month.  Except I didn't rest, I worked-worked-worked.  It's an intermediary role of having to make some cash; spent all my time doing that and getting/getting over the flu.  Do you know the flu isn't just big cold?  I had no idea.  It hits hard.

So, following my Power Year rules, what do I do? 

Rule No. 5 - jump in where I am.  I'm right here.  I'll start with Rule No. 2 and do something productive for 15 minutes per day.  I've had to take it real easy cuz the flu leaves behind a lot of fatigue and I already have a higher share of that than most.  But I can start getting focused again.  Having my ess in order now allows for more options later.

And from Rule No. 4, I'd like to start my 11 minute morning meditations again.

Time is opening up.  No more flu, less fatigue, one more vocal class left, time off from one job this month, and a new support tool to help it all fit together, yay!

June.  Yes, moving on to June. 

My goal for June is to mail my give-a-way from March!!!  I know.  Super bummed I wasn't on that.  I went against Rule No. 1 and instead of working towards 80% of a task, I piled on more and more expectations until I paralyzed myself.  It's because my supplies are still not super-accessible.  I wanted to add a goodie to the winning notebook, but instead delayed even getting that out.  I suck.  And that's why my June goal, and my only June goal, is to deliver that notebook to the winner!

Well, this felt good to get back on the blog.  Thanks for being there.  And let's RAWK this month!!!

xoxo,
z

april is wrap up month

{this walrus means business!}

Hi Rootmixers,

Happy to announce that March Madness went well for my Power Year.  Yay!  Though I did not complete one of my scheduled tasks, I came up with two alternates to consider and completed many other side tasks.  This is an amazing process.  Why do I say that?  Because previously, my standard turn-around time for projects stood at about 18 months.  Ugh!  So, this montly stuff is awesome.

Let's review, here's my SMART Goal broken into it's 5 parts:
(1)Produce (2)well received (3)and highly sought after (4)profit-generating (5)art.

(1)  I've produced (some embroidery, crochet)
(2)  My embroidered art received compliments...
(3)  and an invitation to join a traveling art hanging
(4)  No one's throwing money at me... yet!
(5)  Art - it's happening, I did practice my gouache skills

What do I need more of?

April Wrap Up Goals:

• Write out and post my Power Year Rules.  (done!)
• Complete the art scarf for my mom {not even a stitch yet!}
• Focus on sleep!!!  (I get so much more done and feel so much better about it if I get 9 hours of sleep starting before 11pm!) [I'm doing the opposite!!!  Got to jump in!] {yay! I awoke at 7:30am with no alarm!!!}
• Get in the habit of working.  Since my part-time job ended, I still need to keep that schedule...  I can play for 5 hours a day in my studio! {well, I'm doing something}
• Build an alter for my inner artist and crew of angels!  This visual will help inspire me.
• Send in my taxes {check}
• Plan the dual birthday party with my bff. [Save the date sent] {time selected}
• Get some money generating projects up online (this can be kickstarter, etsy, or other...) {renewed a pin-back button posting on etsy, joined the sf etsy team}
• PRODUCE!!! (This kinda goes with the 5 hours a day item.  Zipper pouch, more embroidered items, some paintings...) [Test sewed a pouch, halfway...] {learned some new songs on the drums...}

oh, and finally,

• Get my laptop repaired...  That will help with this whole process.  Though the library is nice too. [DONE!!!]

[updated 4/10/11] {updated 4/26/11}

As far as my rules go, they are all super helpful and positive.  I don't think I've really dug into the budget one, but I know where I stand.  And I still need to practice the habits of rule number 4.

So that's it for now, kids.  Thanks for walking through the review with me and I look forward to sharing a productive month with you all!

xoxoz

P.S.  My band is playing this Wednesday at Hotel Utah Saloon!

yay! it's the power day give-a-way!!!

Hi Everyone!

Whew!  Happy to announce the first Power Day Give-A-Way of the year.  As some of you know, I've kicked off a Power Year with the awesome Megan Quicke.  Here are my goals for the year, and here's my first update.

I'm having a ton of fun following through with these challenges and similar to "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear" I've found that "if a public forum is needed, an event will appear".  Meaning, I will also be participating in the Salon-Style Bicycle Art Show.  More details to come on that one.

Drumroll please...

Here is the very fun-to-have-made-for-you, awesome reclaimed paper, wire-bound notebook!  It's filled with lots of fun and colorful graph and lined papers.  All reclaimed, even the wire and machine used to make it are secondhand!

To enter to win this (and a few other goodies, free shipping included...) simply follow this blog or add it to your rss feed and leave a comment below.  If you'd like a topic, tell me about a time when you  worked super hard towards a goal...  The winner will be randomly selected.  To get additional entries, repost a link to this blog entry on Twitter, the Facebooks, or your own blog.  Just include a link below so I know you did it and count your additional entries!

Because this is such a green book, all recovered materials and all, I'll select the winner on the day we celebrate by wearing green, St. Patty's Day!  So you've got till sometime next Thursday to post away!

Thanks for helping to spread the word about my project.  The support really helps me stay motivated and I've got lots of fun things I'm looking forward to sharing with you.  Such as, Monday I'll be reviewing my weekend with you in photos.  I've just come home from an awesome art show and am looking forward to telling you all about it!

Have a super-awesome weekend!

xoxoZ

sneak peek...

Hey Rootmixers,  here are some hints about what will be revealed tomorrow for the big Power Day give-a-way.  It's been a lot of fun to make...

Any guesses?

{power year} march madness!

It sure is March Madness!  This month's assignment and challenge from Megan Quicke's Power Year came through on March Eve and already there's been a maddening amount of goal-getting!  (Read the March Message here for yourself if you'd like to play along at home.)

Megan's challenge this month is to share our plans publicly.  As I thought of possible public declarations of my intentions for my Power Year, none of which really excited me, this invitation came bounding into my email inbox:   a Salon-Style Bicycle Art Show!!!  So, see Goal #3 and #4 below. Done and done!

Madness!

My March Madness Goals:

1.  Send an email offering an introduction and explanation of my services to have friends share with their friends. (Due:  3/5)  [Update:  done!!!]
2.  Create goodies for the Power Day give-a-way happening March 11th!  Stay tuned on how to enter!
3.  Test and complete artwork to show at the Salon-Style Bicycle Art Show!!!   (Due:  3/22) [Status:  In progress]
4.  Sign up for MailChimp email service, upload all of my contacts, and send an announcement about the art show.  (Due:  3/16)
5.  Do the math on an affiliate program I will offer and send around an email announcing the program.  (Due:  3/31)

And overall, aim to do 32 hours of work that either is directly billable or will lead to income generation.  Build up to that this month.

*Bonuses that will rollover to April:  do my taxes; complete or schedule these tutorials from The Curious Pug.


A Wrap-Up of February: 

It went amazingly.  I gave myself just enough structure and just enough space to really have fun fulfilling these goals that will serve me well on the way to my dreams coming true!  It really boils down to being OK with succeeding and having compassionate expectations of myself; that's what's new for me this go-around. 

Thanks for all the support and encouragement!

xox

what i like today...

• google video chat (love!) yes, I just used it for the first time...

• that etsy blue stamped crepe paper

//source//

• plotting march madness for my Power Year!  it feels so good to accomplish goals!!!

• a touching conversation with my bandmate, aaawww!

• thinking of a master plan... (1:08)

•  my first singing lesson vocal exercises, now just to practice them!

• this TED video, so inspiring!  "We didn't push the limit, we just showed it was further than anyone thought!" What bridge can you create?

what i like today...

• kicking off March Madness for my Power Year!!!
• the way this guy feels out notes... and if you listen closely, you can hear his voice along with the piano

• which brings me to officially recognizing the awesomeness of these external speakers I got for Christmas... so much better to listen to the iTunes on...

 //source//

• oh, and this photo of organizing remotes...

//source//

Happy March 'eryone!
Z

P.S.  More on my Power Year later... for now, I'll just let you know that I've come up with the give-a-way idea for March 11th, my Power Day!  Stay tuned!  It's gonna be fun!

{power year} an introduction.

//source//

Hello peeps.  I just reviewed my twenty-11 intentions and all is so far, so good.  And that's good news. 

Why?  Cuz I've just embarked on a supportive process with Ms. Megan Quicke of The Power Year, and also Coffee Adventures.  I'm doing my own Power Year.  You can too if you'd like to follow along on her blog.  Very inspiring.  She lays out the steps to getting goals accomplished one by one.

At the end of January I was on the facebooks and asked Megan if she'd be doing any online workshops like the ones she's led in-person in Denver.  Don't you know, lo and behold, she acknowledged my comment in 2 minutes and in just the next 29 minutes got a call to action and sign up deadline for her Online Power Year Pledge Class posted on her facebook wall!  Inspiring.  I signed up.

Here are the first few tasks she charged us with, her Online Power Year Pledge Class, and my responses.  I'm tellin' ya, so i'll be accountable to ya.  Thanks in advance.


1. Write a SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time bound) goal for your creative project.

My Power Year SMART Goal:  "Produce well received and highly sought-after, profit-generating art." 

Now here that is broken down into what the Specifics look like... (most of these will be Measured in time - at least 3 hours of activity in these areas per week, that's a stretch for me to make that time commitment Attainable, but I'm up for the challenge.  These examples are Relevant to succeeding at my goal and the Time-boundness equals 3 hours per week throughout the Power Year!)

Produce:  schedule creative time; have ready supplies, inspiration, skill, and s p a c e; create prototypes to maximize efficient generation

well received:  develop packaging/branding; provide awesome customer service; seek feedback

and highly sought after:  online marketing of my brand; IRL networking; utilize Facebook and Twitter; offer my own affiliate program; guerrilla/community awareness; ask other bloggers/artists for reviews; comment on other blogs, utilize Etsy...

profit-generating:  participate in affiliate programs; host blog ads; wholesale goods; set appropriate price points to cover time, labor, overhead, etc.

art:  develop my own style; practice sketching; review and practice what I've been taught; study; collect inspiration

2. Then, write down five or less rules (or if you like the word “guidelines” better, cool) you will live by, in order to help you achieve your goal.

My 5 Power Year Rules:

1.  80/20 rule - if 80% completion is reached - celebrate!!!
2.  Be productive for at least 15 minutes each day
3.  Create and follow a budget
4.  Put self-care first (11 minutes meditation, 3 meals a day, 30 minutes exercise 3 times/week, get 8-10 hours of sleep/day)
5.  Jump in where I am - no accumulation!

3. Finally, identify five or less items that will be your FEBRUARY FOCUS

My February Focus:

1.  15 minutes per day clean and organize!
2.  Dating clean up - use the time to get my sh*t together first!
3.  Take a current life status inventory - what's what and where I'm at
4.  Practice my routines for the year, add them in, get up to speed, test what works (i.e.  my Power Year rules)
5.  Design and launch my Power Year give-a-way or promo (it'll be on the 11th [my Power Day] of each month, starting in March)

and P.S. my Power Year Animal is the Walrus (slow, but moving) and my Power Year Word is *pleasure*!!!

That's it folks.  A lovely foray to success and accomplishing my goals!!!  Couldn't come at a more grateful time!  I'll be sharing updates to my progress with the Power Year, my monthly focus, and for you - a monthly give-a-way or treat of some kind... stay tuned!

xo, Z