A Mighty Practice

"Your direction is more important than your speed." Today's episode is inspired by a quote from writer, RL Evans (with my own creative interpretation). Are you prioritizing speed or direction in your creative life? And how does that show up? We'll talk through some examples of how this can look, and where you might be getting stuck.

"Is this the right idea? Is this the right path? Should I change directions completely?"

If you're asking these questions, you might be on the verge of what I call a PANIC PIVOT. This is super common for artists. We often think there is one golden project, one GOLDEN CHOICE, where there is no resistance, no stress, no troubleshooting, no self doubt, no politics, no shitty-ness along the way. We change our direction because we don't want to feel the discomfort of the messy middle and we want the immediate relief that comes with quitting.

In this episode I'll talk about how to identify a panic pivot, why we do it, and how to overcome it.

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When you try to reach a creative goal, what gets in the way? Is it your inner critic? A dip in confidence? A feeling of overwhelm or lack of a plan? In this episode, I will use the 5-stages of the creative process to identify 5 goal-setting pitfalls: obligation, focus, moving the "goal post," setting too many goals, and emphasizing motion vs. action. Tune in for some structure and next steps to help you move out of stuckness.

In this first episode of our goal-setting series, we'll talk about how to set goals you actually want vs. goals you think you should want. We have a lot of competing priorities as artists - making work, showing work, selling work, paying bills etc. It can be hard to sort through what deserves our attention and what we actually want for our creative lives. In this episode, I'll give you a framework for thinking about fulfillment, and an exercise to get you started in setting meaningful goals.

Why do you make creative work? What motivates you? When I ask artists this question, I get a range of answers: "It feels good to get a sale" or "I love the feedback" or "I like being invited to participate in shows." In this episode I talk about the difference between results and motivation. It's super easy to confuse them, but results and motivation are different. I'll talk about how they're different, why we need to separate them, and an exercise that can help you reflect on what motivates you to make your work.

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Self-doubt is something all artists struggle with. In this episode, we'll talk about a helpful framework for thinking about self-doubt courtesy of Rick Rubin's book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being. Rubin notes there's a distinction between doubting yourself and doubting your work. One doubt is helpful, the other is not. I'll share an exercise to help you understand how this shows up in your practice and what you can do about it.

When we're working on a large, ambitious project, it's easy to get overwhelmed with challenges. We have a million questions around HOW we're going to make the project happen. Seeing all our questions at once can make the project feel impossible. The secret is having a STRUCTURE for addressing our questions. We need to know what questions to address and WHEN. This is where the idea funnel comes in. In this episode I'll explain the 4-stages of what I call, the idea funnel: 1. Idea Chaos > 2. Focus > 3. Mechanics > 4. Execution. I'll explain how to use it to make your big scary project feel more manageable.

In today's episode we hear from two artists in the AMP Community. We'll talk about the roadblocks they shared with us through IG. The topics include: the challenges of new motherhood, finding the right balance, and getting help when you're juggling a lot. We'll also talk about being at a crossroads in your creative life, choosing a direction, and putting your energy into something new. Listen in if you want to hear challenges (and advice!) from artists like you.

This week I talk to artist, entrepreneur, and business coach Natalie Davis. In this episode, we talk about the multi-faceted creative life Natalie's built for herself - from her creative practice in leather, to being a creative director and co-owner of several restaurants in Austin, to coaching creatives through the ups-and-downs of their businesses. We talk about how to trust your gut, the importance of creating a vision, and how it's OK to have a lot of creative interests! Natalie talks about how to identify your creative strengths and how that's helped her carve her own path. Hear more about Natalie's work and journey below:

Natalie Davis is a creative director, entrepreneur, and business coach that finds poetry in the small moments. She has collaborated with diverse clients, from museums and architecture firms to hotels and non-profits, along with being a co-owner of several restaurants in Austin. Natalie coaches on maximizing emotional intelligence to create greater impact and bring joy to managing teams. She guides clients through career transitions, starting with the initial spark of change, through interviews, negotiating, and being successful in their new role. From strategic planning to building brand narratives, Natalie helps others expand and clarify their vision and connect their story to the broader world. Natalie is a certified Co-Active Professional Coach and Associate Certified Coach, along with holding a BA from UCLA and MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.

In today's episode we'll talk about the feeling "time is running out." Many artists feel this way - like they're running out of time to do the work they want to do, or accomplish the things they set out to do earlier in their lives. In this episode, we'll look at the emotions behind this statement (the fear + the urgency) and understand how to process them and move forward. We'll look at a past experience in your life where urgency was a positive force vs. a crippling force and how to channel that to take action.

In this episode, we'll talk about how to take charge of your creative life (i.e. how to stop being a PASSENGER and start being the DRIVER of your life!). We'll talk about the concept of reacting vs. responding to the world around us, particularly when it comes to creative opportunities for our work. We'll talk about our baggage around asking for what we want and our challenges with valuing our labor and ideas. This episode will help you understand where these blocks come from for you and offer you an exercise for working through them.

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In this episode we talk about VANITY GOALS. It's the start of a new year and you might be in a goal-setting mindset. While planning for the year ahead is important, there are many goal-setting pitfalls. One of these is setting vanity goals. A vanity goal is a goal that is led by a focus on surface level metrics. It is centered around status and appearances vs. the results you actually want. In this episode, I'll talk about vanity metrics that artists often use and why they are not helpful indicators that you're moving closer toward your goal. I'll talk about how we can avoid setting vanity goals, and what metrics to focus on when trying to create change in your life.

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In this episode, I talk with artist and coach STEPHANIE de COUTO COSTA about getting blocked in your 20's vs. getting blocked in your 30's. We talk about things that blocked us in our 20's (ex: doing it "right," other people's opinions, status symbols) and the things that block us in our 30's (time! energy! security!). We talk about what ENERGIZES us in our 30's and what we're happy to be leaving behind. We'll also hear from AMP school members on where they have experienced challenges. Listen in for a creative lift.

In this episode we'll talk about a common fear: "I have too many creative interests!" When we say "I have too many interests" what are we worried is the problem? How does that thought become a block? In this episode we'll talk about 4 common fears behind that statement: 1. I'm not an expert at any one thing. 2. All my work is disconnected. 3. I'm scared to choose a focus. 4. I'm scared I'm not going deep enough. I'll speak to the roots of those fears and give you some strategies to work through them. Having a lot of creative interests is a GOOD thing!

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In this episode, we talk about how to leverage John Cleese's concept of the Open Mode and the Closed Mode in our creative practices. The Open Mode is when you're experimenting, exploring, creating, and saying "yes" to possibilities. The Closed Mode is when you're being critical, strategic, time-sensitive, and outcomes-driven. We need both modes to thrive as creative people, but often times we depend too much on the Closed Mode as a way of operating. In this episode, I'll talk about what these two modes are, how to use them, and how to organize your day so you have more creative energy for the projects you really care about. 

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In this episode, we talk about the 6th stage of the creative process: sharing! After we've completed a body of work, we usually want to share it. It feels good to share! But how do we do more than just send an image into the instagram void? What's a meaningful way to connect with our audience? In this episode, we'll consider WHY you want to share and how that motivation can match your method of distribution to get you the results you want.

In this episode we talk about making money and making art with Canadian Painter, Lesley Anderson! Topics we cover in this conversation: The transition out of art school, using various creative skills to make a living, the possibility of satisfying day jobs, and why Lesley did not choose "the teaching path." Listen in to this episode to hear how Lesley makes her living as an artist and how she leans into the ebb and flow of her creative life. 

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In this short and sweet episode, I talk about an important part of manifesting your most ambitious projects: sketching. Sketching is the process of gathering the raw material of your idea into its simplest most coherent form. The Sketch is the bridge between your play stage (experimentation) and your generate stage (making a bunch of stuff). Our sketches help other people understand the early stages of our ideas. I'll talk about the value of sketching and offer you some methods to try based on your practice.

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In this episode we'll talk to three very different artists that have taken our 12-week coaching program. You'll hear about their struggles, their backgrounds (some who went to art school, and some who didn't) and what brought them to this program. You'll hear what they got out of this work, and how it transformed their practices. Tune into this episode if you want to learn what you can expect from this deep, intensive coaching program, and how it can help you overcome your roadblocks.

In this episode, I'll talk about creative self-sabotage. Do you feel close to reaching a goal but something keeps getting in your way? Maybe you don't even realize it's happening. Self-sabotage looks different for everyone. I define creative self-sabotage as a habit or behavior that prevents you from creating the things you want to create. In this episode, I'll talk about 5 types of self-sabotage: Over-committing, Over-editing, Being a Prisoner to Your Formula, Re-inventing the Wheel, and Looking for Perfect. I'll describe the thought patterns and behaviors of these types and offer an exercise to help you work through it. Let's stop self-sabotaging!

Fall Coaching Program ENROLLMENT is open! Get on the list to GET THE EARLY BIRD RATE HERE:

Have you been thinking about joining A Mighty Practice School but not sure if it's for you? In this episode I'll talk more about the school - what kind of students join, what our coaching calls are like, and more. We're running a summer membership sale, so join the school by Sunday July 10th and you get a free 20 minute coaching call with Christine! 

It's time to hear from some working artists in this Making Money + Making Art series! Today I chat with Detroit-based fibers artist, Katie Shulman. In our conversation we talk about Katie's trajectory as an artist and how she's dealt with the big questions of "How do I make a living? and how do I make my art?" She'll share the various ways she's answered these questions. She'll talk about her feelings on selling her work, her relationship to nine-to-fives, and the value of moving to an affordable city. Listen in for so much wisdom.

Making money and making art. These two things have become intertwined for contemporary artists in such a messy way. In this mini series on money, I'm going to talk about our relationship to money as artists, specifically looking at MONEY AS A BLOCK. How do our core-negative beliefs around money prevent us from building a meaningful and financially sustainable creative life? How does our thinking around money limit vs. empower us? In this episode, I'll share common negative beliefs artists have around money and what those artists are really telling themselves when they have those thoughts.

Are you feeling bored with your creative work? Maybe you're not excited about what you're making. When we get bored with our creative work it's because we have lost the sense of MYSTERY in our process. In this episode, I'll talk about the role of mystery in the creative process and how, if you've lost it, you can get it back.

In this episode I'll introduce the idea of your play strategy - the way you naturally like to explore new ideas. This is a key piece of our coaching program work. How do you like to investigate new ideas as an artist? What approaches can you use to get started that don't feel like WORK? I'll offer an exercise to help you uncover your play strategy.

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In this episode, we'll talk about taking action in our creative lives. What is something you want to create? What is an outcome you want to work toward? I'll introduce James Clear's concept of MOTION vs. ACTION. Motion is about learning, preparing, and strategizing while action is an effort that directly produces a result. When we're stuck, we spend most of our time in motion vs. taking action. In this episode, I'll help you examine your current behavior and consider new actions you can take to get closer to your desired outcome.

Share your actions with me on Instagram @amightypractice! I'll respond to ya.

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What would happen if you had 50% more confidence in your creative work? What would you be doing differently? Sharing more? Applying to bigger, scarier opportunities? Trying new mediums? In this episode I'll talk about what confidence is, and give you an exercise you can practice to build more confidence in your creative work.

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It's year 3 of a pandemic and most of us are not feeling motivated. What do we need to build resilience in our creative practices? How do we experience setbacks, rejection, or low energy and decide to keep going? In this episode, I'll talk about 3 things to do to help build your creative resilience.

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In this episode I'll talk about the 5 creative archetypes that I've discovered in my work as a coach. These types include the DREAMER, the SEEKER, the STRIVER, the ANALYST, and the GOOD STUDENT. I'll talk about the strengths and struggles for each of these artists. I'll break down the strategies that each type uses in their practice and how these strategies sometimes get them stuck. Listen to this episode to find out your type(s)!

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Do you struggle with following through on your ideas? Perhaps you pivot from idea to idea in hopes of finding the "golden idea" that finally gets you to sit down and work? If this is your struggle, this episode is for you. I'll talk about common roadblocks around committing to a project and how you can overcome them. 

Why is talking about our art so hard? If our art was easy to "explain" it would likely take the form of a descriptive text or marketing statement vs. a work of art. Great art brings complexity to ideas vs. over-simplifies them. In this episode I'll talk about some do's and don't when talking about your work. I'll also give you an exercise that will help you reflect on the ideas in your work.

In this (re-released!) episode I'll talk about how to generate focus, or how to "build clarity and purpose in your day." We'll hear from three past workshop attendees about their current challenges with focus, and I'll offer some solutions. 

When we say "I don't have a medium I'm good at" what are we really saying? In this episode I'll talk about common blocks around technical mastery and getting started. The good news: you DO have a medium ... you just haven't discovered your technique yet. 

When is it time to get coaching? In this episode I'll talk about my experience with being coached and coaching others. I'll talk about when coaching has the greatest impact on creatives and how it can help you move past your most troublesome roadblocks.

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How do you step away from a project you're really invested in? For many of us this can feel impossible. But when you're on the "production hamster-wheel" for too long you can lose sight of what you want FOR your work and FROM your work. What do you want your work to give the world? What do you want your work to give YOU?

In this episode I'll talk about how to create an exit strategy that helps you step away from a big project that you care about. I'll use my own Mat Leave (I'm having a kid!) and stepping away from AMP for the summer as an example. I'll share some lessons I've learned over the last three months of prep.

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Things are moving "back to normal"-- but what exactly does that mean? What do you want your post-pandemic creative life to look like? We'll look at the things that helped you thrive creatively this year and the things that taxed you through a concept called the "Creative Bank." How do you want to integrate these learnings to design your year ahead?

How do we take a pause in our creative practices and experience true creative rest? In this episode I'll talk about my definition of creative rest and how to integrate it into your life. I'll talk about 3 different creative modes (Synthesizing, Producing, and Solving) that we slip into that make resting/re-fueling difficult, and how we can take an intentional break from doing them. 

Where you work, whether it be in a studio or a sketchbook, is an important part of any creative practice. In this episode I'll talk about how to take the space available to you and create a work environment that enables your practice. I'll share all the WEIRD studio spaces I've had over the years, and how I've made these unconventional spaces (garages! laundry rooms! basements!) meet my needs. Check out some images of my past studios on the A Mighty Practice blog:

What happens when we deny our creative impulses over and over again? When we don't let the work that wants to come through us, come through us? What are the consequences? In this episode I'll talk about what creative impulses are, what they can teach us, why we deny them, and how to start listening to them again. 

In this episode I'll share student stories around the inner critic through one of our school's live coaching calls! During our school-wide coaching calls members review workshop content and get help with their roadblocks. On this call we'll hear from a few students who are struggling with perfectionism. You'll hear my practical advice on how to overcome this tricky roadblock with a sense of patience and purpose.

How do you start making things when you feel super blocked? How do you move from the idea phase (being in your head) to the action stage (expressing your ideas out in the world). The movement from ideas to action is what I call the "Play" stage. In this episode I'll talk about what the play stage is, what your play stage can look like, and how you know when your play stage is over and you're ready for what's next. 

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It's January, and if you don't feel pumped about starting up the year, you're not alone! In this episode I'm going to talk about how to approach your year as happening within creative seasons. We'll talk about why artists benefit from setting priorities seasonally vs. yearly, and 4 questions to ask yourself to help identify the season you're in.