Recently I signed up for Yuko Miki’s Creative Coaching newsletter for a series of challenges to help me develop better business practices. One of the projects was to create an Artist Manifesto - a series of statements that are guiding my work and the choices I make as an artist. It has always been true for me, whether I am working for an ad agency, a nonprofit or my own business that if I don’t have a clear understanding of the WHY behind what I do, my work can feel a little meaningless.
You may be thinking: well I’m not an artist, so this doesn’t really pertain to me. But I would challenge that thinking because developing a personal or professional values/mission statement is important for us all. In fact, Stephen Covey, author of the bestselling book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People argues strongly for people to create a personal or family mission statement. Covey even goes as far to say that without a mission statement, by default we empower other people and circumstances to shape us and our lives. The purpose of this activity then is ultimately to inspire intentional living: What is your life centered on? What do you want to be remembered for? Are the choices you are making today aligning with what you currently value? Creating a mission statement, be it personal or professional, helps to clearly answer these questions, and that’s what I loved about creating my artist manifesto.
Last week on my blog (here) I wrote about the new product line I’m developing inspired by slow living, family life, and all the ordinary and magical moments in each day that we easily overlook when busyness and distraction overtake us. A big part of my mission and goal is to remind us to draw our attention back to what is most precious and important in life, and not miss the beauty in each day.
So I’m excited to share what I’m working on and hope as I’m intentional about why I’m doing what I’m doing that my art will encourage you to be intentional with your life too. I share bits of inspiration and free goodies like the phone wallpaper below with my mailing list and I’d love to have you join me too!
