How Masterminds Provide Space for Space
Hello again, lovely creatives!
I'm back from a fabulous mastermind meeting held in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina, and I'm bursting with insights and reflections to share. But before I dive in, catch up on my previous blogs about masterminds at these links: The Power of Masterminds and Elevate and Evolve with Masterminds.
The hustle and bustle of creative entrepreneurship can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On one side, our days are full of activities: creating new artwork, entering an art contest, preparing or participating in craft fairs, adding new products to our retail stores, selling online... The list goes on.
On the flip side, those activities can become an all-consuming whirlwind, leaving little room to pause, reflect, and simply be. This balance, or often the lack of it, was a big topic at my recent mastermind. Bari Baumgardner and her husband and business partner Blue Melnick, who run a coaching program called LEAP, shared profound thoughts about the importance of finding "Space for Space."
The momentum in our creative businesses and the pace of entrepreneurship is exhilarating but also at times exhausting. It becomes imperative, then, to carve out moments of stillness and introspection.
Carving Out Space for Space
You might be wondering, with everything you have going on in your life and business, how do we make time? For me, the answer lies in masterminds. By stepping away from the daily grind, clearing the decks, and eliminating all distractions, I have the opportunity to halt, to ponder, and to revitalize not just my entrepreneurial strategies but my inner creative spirit.
It took me a while to fully embrace “being present” at mastermind meetings. That may seem crazy since the masterminds I’m in cost between $15K and $25K a year. But here’s the thing: I’d bring my day job with me. That meant having to pop out of the mastermind sessions from time to time to answer emails or do my weekly Wednesday live broadcast or take care of something “urgent” happening in my business.
No more! I clear my calendar and get everything done in advance so that I can focus 100%. Masterminds are usually 2-3 days long with a unique rhythm built around learning, doing, and sharing. The quiet time before and after each day allows for relationship building, content absorption and relaxation.
Benefits of Reflection in Business
Strategic Clarity: Taking a step back to reflect often illuminates the broader picture. It helps crystallize your vision, fine-tune your strategies, and realign your goals with your core values.
Innovation Catalyst: Reflection can act as a catalyst for innovation. By pondering over past endeavors, you can spot patterns, derive insights, and conceive groundbreaking ideas that might have been overlooked.
Emotional Resilience: Regular introspection fosters a deeper understanding of your emotions, aspirations, and challenges. This emotional intelligence is pivotal in navigating entrepreneurship with grace and resilience.
The Power of Letting Your Brain 'Relax'
Enhanced Productivity: Contrary to popular belief, incessant working doesn't equate to higher productivity. Allowing the brain some downtime can rejuvenate your cognitive faculties, making you more efficient and focused.
Boosted Creativity: Your most ingenious ideas often sprout during moments of relaxation. Have you ever had a great idea in the shower or when you’re out on a walk? By freeing your mind, even momentarily, you open the doors to a reservoir of creativity.
Improved Well-being: Continuous engagement can lead to burnout. Periodic relaxation not only revitalizes your professional spirits but is integral for your overall mental and physical well-being.
It's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of creation, sales, and other tasks. While these activities are essential, so are the spaces between them – the pauses - when you don’t have to think at all. It's in these spaces that we allow our most profound insights to emerge.
Are you ready to find your own "Space for Space"? I hope so. Please honor it and recognize its invaluable contribution to your entrepreneurial success.
P.S. I’ll be LIVE on Wednesday at noon pacific / 3pm eastern on my Facebook business page: Anne LaFollette Art and on my YouTube channel. I can’t wait to see you there.
xo,
Anne
Explore Surface Pattern Design by downloading my free ebook HERE.
Have fun and I’ll see you next week.
Remember,
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
