 Take a second to step outside of yourself. Which side of this fence do you find yourself on currently? How much are you passively consuming the offerings of others via social media, internet, shopping, tv, radio, food, etc.. -vs- contributing or creating something? Creating isn’t just making art or music or writing. It’s planting a garden, cooking a meal, hosting a gathering, organizing a book club, working on a project, fixing something, problem solving, helping someone, provoking a thought, creating purpose. This isn’t about judgement.. we’ve all been trained to be good lil’ consumers and follow the herd from the time we were born, well into adulthood. This is about observation, reflection and intention. What most of us were NOT taught is how to embrace creativity, how to THINK FOR OURSELVES, how to allow for experimentation and play as adults. We have to re-wire our brain. The more we intentionally choose to create, the more our brain calibrates toward creativity. The more we passively consume, the more the brain craves the false pleasure of instant gratification and consuming. I recently heard that humans generally consume 90% and create 10% (which prompted this post) That’s nuts! Imagine how our lives would change both individually and collectively if we chose creativity 5% more and consumed 5% less in our daily lives? What do you want to create more of? What do you want to consume less? How would it affect your day? Be the watcher of yourself at random moments and see where you’re at, with curiosity instead of judgement. Need help re-calibrating your brain? Work with a Life Coach! First session on me.  HOLE: If you’re in one, stop digging. Your primal brain just put a shovel in your hands without your permission. Muscle memory has kicked in and without even thinking, you’re digging a deeper hole. Digging is staying in a narrative or situation that is not serving you. Ex: Believing you suck because you didn’t get the thing you applied for. Complaining about the complainers. Carrying around resentment because “someone” isn’t doing what they “should” Every shovel of dirt we dig deepens the hole we’re in, leaving us worse off. Slinging dirt has little to no affect on anyone else but us so why do we do it? Because these automatic responses are deeply rooted evolutionary mechanisms that are hardwired into our brains for survival. “𝐎𝐤, 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩?”
The truth is, our struggles are our greatest teachers and our biggest opportunity to make positive change. So, next time you find yourself in a hole, remember: Stop digging. Pause. Observe. Ask. Breathe. Embrace the discomfort. Your higher self will pull you out of the hole. IMAGE: Sigurður Guðmundsson⠀JOURNEY OF BEING #sigurðurguðmundsson Need a Life Coach for your creative profession? First session on me! Schedule HERE
 We all have something that we’ve been wanting to start or finish, but our 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 is a real PRO at procrastination… it avoids, judges, distracts, makes excuses, says were not good enough, convinces us there isn’t enough time, blah, blah, blah… 1 - The first step to overcoming resistance is to 𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞. 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 it with curiosity without buying into 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐄 (that is trying to keep you “safe” from failure or disappointment.) 2 - 𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑳𝑫 from your vocabulary. It’s 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 and is riddled with judgement, guilt and failure. It keeps us in a self-perpetuating masochistic loop of inaction. Instead, try using 𝑪𝑨𝑵, 𝑾𝑨𝑵𝑻 𝑻𝑶, 𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑳, 𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝑶𝑼𝑳𝑫. How do those words feel differently in your body when you say them? 3 - 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. Get ahead of your primal brain with a planned counter-thought, one that advocates for you. Ex: T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶i̶s̶n̶’̶t̶ ̶e̶n̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶.̶ “I am going to make time to do x for 30 minutes on x day.” 4 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐒! Keep track of the days you show up for yourself on a calendar (gold star = extra dopamine boost!) instead of beating yourself up for the backslide. 5: 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐏. Ok, so you fucked up, fell off the wagon, missed a day... So what? You’re human. Get over it :-) Be curious about what happened, take note, hit 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐓 and 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. Looking for a Life Coach? I got you! First session on me.
Honestly, the work I’m most proud of has been collaborative - both professionally and creatively. Always million times more satisfying than what I could’ve juiced out of this lil’ brain solo (imo) but still… tough at times! Like they say down south “No grit, no gravy baby!” One of the reasons I was drawn to coaching is it’s co-creative nature. I get to work WITH someone on THIER agenda (not mine). I get to help people have agency and autonomy in their lives, ask powerful questions, be curious, figure out goals and obstacles and then actually witness people getting there! It’s emotional for me in the best possible way. I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to do this work with all of you incredible humans, so thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! What's your theme for this year? Need a Life Coach for your creative practice? First session on me! Schedule HERE Art by Ray Johnson  Make a list of every single likable nugget currently happening in your life. The bigs, the smalls, the in-betweens... don’t stop until you’ve exhausted every. single. like. Intentionally leave your dislikes blank and relish in the fact that you are giving a big ol’ middle finger to all your dislikes while saying “You don’t own me maaaaan! Art by @m_d_n_f_ 🖤 Need a Life Coach for your creative practice? First session on me! Schedule HERE
 It is neurologically impossible to focus on 2 tasks at once. As someone that struggles with the joy of constant internal/external distraction, these are some tools that I’ve found helpful: >>Most simple and obvious.. Set your phone to airplane mode or put it in another room for a designated amount of time. >>Use a timer to focus on one specific task at a time (25 min on, 5 min break, repeat) You’ll be shocked to find how much you can get done in 25 minutes! >>Schedule your tasks ahead of time earlier in the day. You’ll find yourself with more free time and less stress at the end of the day. >>Learn how to say no to your primal brain which will always dangle that shiny fun/food/FB/phone in your face while you’re trying to get x done. The more you plan ahead with your intelligent brain, the less traction your primal brain gets on you! Need some help? Work with a Life Coach and get in charge of your brain! First session on me! Image: John Baldesarri
 Our brain is wired to worry and think of worse case scenarios as a means of keeping us alive from an evolutionary perspective, but our anxiety is on overdrive in a way which is no longer serving us and keeping us stuck. Here are some ways to deal with the exhaustion of the "Never ending question mark": Focus on What You Can Control: Distinguish between what is within your control and what is not. The things within our control are our intentional thoughts, actions, and reactions. Accept what is beyond our control with equanimity. Acceptance of Fate: What circumstances fall under the natural order of the universe? What would it look like to accept those fates that are beyond our control? This attitude helps in reducing anxiety about the future and dealing with uncertainty. Prepare for the Worst: This practice involves contemplating potential challenges and misfortunes before they happen. By mentally preparing for possible difficulties, you can reduce fear and be better equipped to handle uncertainty when it arises instead of fretting without a plan. Get Out in Nature: Making time for nature helps us understand that change and uncertainty are natural parts of life. By aligning our expectations with the reality of constant change, we can cultivate a more resilient mindset Live with Integrity: Focus on developing virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. When you do, you can better navigate uncertainty with a clear sense of purpose and inner strength. Be Present: As much as possible, try to be fully engaged in the moment. Don't let the anticipation of future uncertainties disturb your present peace of mind. In a nutshell, focus on what you CAN control, accept what you can't and prepare for potential challenges. Live in harmony with nature, cultivate integrity, and stay present. These principles can help manage and navigate the inherent uncertainties of life. Need some help? Work with a Life Coach! First session on me! ART by: Stanley Donwood  Sick? Depressed? Holed up? You’re not alone... There are a million other "alone's" out there feeling the same way. I like to think of it as "alone together" when I'm in that spot. Whether in grief, ill health, sadness, or general feelings of isolation. Solidarity is a powerful thought that has really helped me get through some dark moment. Perhaps it can help you too. It also helps to acknowledge that when we humans feel entitled to things going well all the time, or always being happy/healthy/high energy, we are setting ourselves up for lots of letdowns. Suffering and hardship are inherently part of our human experience. That said, things DO get better (and there are even silver linings to be found in the darkest of places.) What to do? Stay connected any way you can. Find something you are grateful for. Call your homies and loved ones and while you’re at it it, order yourself a pizza for a personal party of one. Need some help? Working with a Life Coach is a life changing experience. First session on me! Image: Lukas Gangsterer
 The shapeshifter is useful archetype to embody in these uncertain times. Instead of pining for life to get back to “normal”, let’s individually decide what a “new normal” looks like for each of us. When we let go of a rigid identity and find ways to stay flexible, we can have agency and be a catalyst for change instead of becoming a victim of it. Need some help? Working with a life coach is one of the best ways to create lasting change in your life. First session on me! Image: Louise Bourgeois “Dismemberment Anatomy”
 It’s available to us at anytime if we choose to think it, feel it, give it. Conversely, when we withhold love, it hurts us more than the other. We can detach from another with love instead of anger and resentment. Really, ask yourself: “What feeling do I want to carry around with me all day?” Fall in love with your pursuits, the process, the journey, your reasons, your life. Love the haters because they need it the most. Love up your friends and fam because anyone can disappear in a flash. Most of all, love yourself. Say “I love you” to you when you wake up every morning. Hug your kid self and tell them how much you love them and will take care of them. Remember: We’re all doing the best we can. We all want to be loved. We all deserve love. Give it and I promise you’ll feel the love! #loveisfree #loveisanintentionalthought #yagottagiveittogetit
Art by David Shrigley
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