new .com

In keeping with my right brain management style {and contrary to linear thinking} I have started in the middle with the transition of this web site.

Please visit here to learn more about it …

Right Brain Planner

One thing. Every day.

For the past two weeks I have felt like I was the person in this image. Scaling a rugged stone wall in order to jump into the refreshing deep blue sea. Repeating the climb — going higher with each return climb.

I happened upon this Flickr photo stream tonight and it presented me with a visual regarding my current circumstances. The intensity of the climb, thrill of the jump, the invigorating sensation of rushing through deep water.

Do one thing every day that scares you. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

I would like to think I could live by this {dare} of former First Lady Roosevelt. But right now … Not so much.

At least that is the way it feels.

I face a daily lock-up of mental energy — a shut-down of focused progress. My mind wanders, mulling over the proverbial what-if’s {ad nauseam} and sputtering over details. Alas.

Life goes on.

I have been here before. I know the way out. Or at least through. However, there are days when I wonder if I will ever make it to the place where this cycle of “climb, jump, experience, repeat” is a tad less paralyzing.

In the meantime, I will write it all down … Thus it will not longer be inside … “Threatening the life it belongs to / And I feel like I’m naked in front of the crowd / ‘Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud.” ~Anna Nalick ♬

Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. ~Pamela Vaull Starr

Anatomy of a Dream

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. ~Anatole France

The CED body theme continues to inspire me in extraordinary ways. This morning I was doing some research regarding some wellness issues I am facing …  I was drawn in by the parallels of the functions and form of the body in relationship to living out our dreams, and concluded my focused time on this topic with this collage.

Admin note:

My main Web site was hacked last week, and I remain in the midst of “Embracing randomness” … Thus, my .com remains under {collage} construction. I am posting random progress updates here.

Creative Every Day

My original Creative Every Day {CED} goals for January were to work on a collage reviewing my notes regarding my {creAtive} business plan. That was altered last week but not without necessity or purpose. However, I was consistent with the {totally optional} theme for January: Body.

I committed to CED largely because I needed accountability as well as inspiration to …

Simply Be

To {be} creative and at-rest, nourishing myself {mind, body and spirit}.

Balance

Monday {Morning pages}: journaled about my over-committed schedule: “The bottom line is I am running on empty. And yet I continue to add personal obligations, chores and activities.” Determined {at long last} that I would allow Mondays to be my {catch-up day} and to schedule in open blocks of time for the odds and end tasks that inevitability crowd this day of the week; savored my time outside {romping with my grrls, walking, sitting in the sunshine}

Tuesday {Morning pages}: journaled about letting go of guilt and obligatory tasks: “Releasing myself of the responsibility I assumed as well as my part of {xyz persons} dependence upon my time. … I will say what I need to say and embrace that ‘No.’ is a complete sentence. … Letting go so as to make room for what is next.” Hand-lettered keywords {Here-Ease-Joy} in my journal. Enjoyed a new mix of greens with avocado for lunch on the {sunny} patio; walked a brisk-paced mile. ♥

Wednesday {Morning pages}: journaled quotes from the character of Mary Horowitz {All About Steve} “So hard for dreamers … Until they find other people normal like themselves.” “Essential elements … ‘Is it solvable?’ ‘Is it entertaining?’ “Does it sparkle?’ What are the clues? decipher the clues … until it is solved.” Noted that I seem to get to {See it} and {Plan for it} …  just not quite to {There}. Unplugged after the random reality of my web site being hacked. Napped and remained horizontal for most of the afternoon.

Thursday Remained most horizontal … Without stress. {Progress}  :::cheers:::

Friday {Morning pages}: journaled: “This has been another trial-week. BUT you made your own choices. You focused upon Priorities. {No blame; no surrender.} Typically my free {unscheduled} day. A free-form day. I was able to review my online projects, combining/deleting according to priority. Friday is the day I dedicate to activities that make me smile. I accomplished said purpose. Walked one (1) mile. Invigorating … Felt absolutely fabulous. 1.5 days of horizontal {totally worth it} ♥

• Links to inspiration Dedicated by LaWendula and graphics/images used in my collage: Spell with Flickr | my bead stash {artbeads} and various photos from my phone.

Embracing randomness

Most of us can remember plans we had that worked out. And most of us can remember plans we had that started with a blaze of glory … only to drop outta the sky. Hitting the proverbial ground with a loud “splat!” Due to our own randomness or the randomness of the world around us.

Random happens.

My recent plans were to launch a new .com for Right Brain Planner and finish up a course I was taking. The first days of 2010 were going as  {creAtively} planned. Then, something random happened. The other .com I had been compiling for the past year was hacked.

It has almost been a week since I was {creAtively} on-task, copying files and creating page charts for the new blog. Then: [In-Progress. Again.]

Random happened.

And I decided to pause everything, to embrace the serendipity of randomness and see where it took me.

What I discovered amidst my dated notes — piled hither and yon across my desk and counter top — was a common thread. It was surprising to me that I had not seen it before.

It was distinct. As though it were even tangible: Thick and nubby, a bright red cord with tiny threads of silver reflecting the light.

It was something I had previously ignored in my paced steps to accomplish the goal of crossing off my To-Do list …

I was lying to myself regarding my priorities.

The random act of a malicious hacker had created an opportunity for me. An opportunity to examine the truth about my priorities. Because as I looked at the {creAtive} collections of dated notes, I discovered the common thread regarding the delays in my deadlines.

My daily priorities had been to help other people accomplish their priorities. Listening and researching and assisting. And doing so without balance.

Helping others is part of my role as advocate. It is part of everything I do. However, I was ignoring the essential principle of advocacy: Balance. You cannot give what you do not have. As in, put on your oxygen mask before assisting another person with hers.

I was giving away my time, without stopping to evaluate my spending of energy and time versus my:

• investing (education, research and collaboration)
• savings (down time, rest and reserves)

And it took a random, malicious hacker for me to stop and notice!

Thus, embracing random {instead of resisting, protesting and going into overdrive} provided me the investment opportunity of a refresher course: Personal priorities cannot be exclusively determined by the priorities of others.

What about you? Do you embrace randomness? When your scheduled priorities veer off track, do you see it as an opportunity or do you put the proverbial hammer down and shift into overdrive? Random just may be bearing gifts! Check it out!

“It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, ‘What are we busy about?’” ~Henry David Thoreau

In-Progress. Again.

So, what do you do when a hacker attacks your main site? You roll with the punches and remind yourself you were working on a redesign anyway. And savor therapeutic doses chocolate.

I am in the midst of reviewing/deleting and editing what content I will import, as well as how I will redesign the site. {And I post said information here because I was also due to introduce the .com for this planner … But. The hacker provided me with this opportunity.}

It is all part of the process; this enables me to refine {and collect} my notes so as to proceed … {Yes. For the record, I did indulge in a day of mourning. Sigh.}

My intention is to have this processed, uploaded and ready to go in one week.  In order to work to that end, all else has been tabled. After all, if you give a creative an option, she will ask for a glass of milk!

Overwhelm? Creative Solutions

Overwhelm {for me} is like a window. Why? Because windows offer various utilities such as protection and inspiration {and are often a visual for opportunity}.

1. I can look through it and see what is on the other side.
2. I can close the blinds over it and savor rest in the still of darkness.
3. I can open it and allow the breeze of inspiration and light.
4. I can escape through it, literally, or merely via daydreams.
5. I can shatter it … Something I have yet to do in real-life!

But we all know that overwhelm tends to bring creativity to an abrupt, screeching halt. So where are the choices? The opportunities? More …

Lessons Learned

Most of the time we learn lessons and we have no idea what they were. We adopt practices — habits of the day — without notice. Unless we keep notations …

Lessons Learned updated!

Moving through (when our minds are scattered), managing our days (when we are distracted), pressing on in the direction of our dreams (when we are weary) — we all talk about.

9. Practice gratitude …

Even when you just want to have a pity party … I have been in the midst of these {impossible} moments — and I can attest to the liberty of pursuing gratitude: [link]

10. No excuses.

Push past what you claim is in the way. If you want a particular goal:

• Be willing to let go of what you believe prevents you from attaining said goal
• Get to the particulars of attaining what you claim you want
• Need a boost? Watch Chris Brogan’s Overnight Success 3 – No Excuses [link]

A Creative Sabbatical

This is an intriguing practice. Particularly since I recently realized that — instead of adding three letters  to the end of my name via higher education — said practice during the past year yielded a much more {practical} learning experience. A learning experience that has equipped me to continue in the direction of dreams.

Discovery and decisions regarding my “big picture” remain in-process. However, I encourage you to consider the value of disengaging from your routine for a period of time. If only for days or weeks …

Journal Every Day

There can be no courage unless you’re scared.

~Eddie Rickenbacker

Being a creative, you must realize about the only two things I do on a daily basis is sleep and eat!

However, my intention is to journal every day — at least in some form. I have a pop-up reminder on my Google Calendar each day at 9:15 a.m. — {visual journal}.

When my mind is wandering, I just write in longhand — or type my runaway thoughts; print; cut and paste in my journal. Some days I tear words or images from the pile of mail that lives on the counter near my desk. This usually sparks some sort of creative process that leads to a collage or journal prompt.

But what about when {overwhelm} or just plain ‘ol real-life roars at us? And inspiration is no where to be found?