How to design Your Business LifeStyle

So what is "Business LifeStyle"?

At ArtSHINE we talk with our clients about designing their own Business LifeStyle. So how can you create a business from the passion that you have for your craft, or your Art & Design practice? And how can you create that business to fit with your lifestyle?

Our Business LifeStyle approach to align your creative Art & Design practice with your Desire, Passion and Purpose.

“We all have different desires, passions & purposes, 

but if we don't discover what they are for ourselves 
and what we are here for, 

then we will live a life passively 
and unfulfilled.”  
~Vinh Van Lam

As coaches we encourage our clients to tap into Desire, Passion, and Purpose (DPP).

So what is the meaning of Desire, Passion and Purpose to you and your business?

Desire - The term desire means to express a longing wish or crave for something to fulfil your life. LOVE WHAT YOU DO!

Passion - is an irresistible action and drive for something that is desired intensely. FOLLOW YOUR DESIRE BY SETTING GOALS.

Purpose - is a result or goal of an action intentionally undertaken.  Purpose is a very specific task of action that moves you and your Art & Design practice in the right direction to achieve your goals. Purpose will give you the real reason for you to complete all the tasks you've set so you can move closer to your desire or dream.

In the same way, Passion & Purpose are the actions taken on the way to your desire or dreams. It is very hard to achieve your desire or dream without taking action.

Keep in mind, your DPP must be in sync with one another in order to reach what you want and to get where you want to be. Desire will give the craving to define your passion.  Your passion  will give you the drive and motivation to find the real purpose of why you want to do what you love and align it with that purpose.

Unlike a traditional business, Business LifeStyle is not focused completely on financial gains, but on creating a foundation to support your lifestyle and goals. It's a way of thinking that focuses around your passion and personality. It's a business process that thrives on freedom and creativity, where most of the time you don't consider what you do as work or  chores because you're doing what you love.

"Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life"~Confucius

If your passion is to do draw people and animal portraits, you might open a specialised  art portrait studio and sell your art and run art classes. You are reaching your personal goals though an income generating business.

However, there can be a fine line between Business LifeStyle and self employment. A good way to tell is if you own a business and you need to be there and open the business everyday, you have  basically created a job and not a Business LifeStyle. A Business LifeStyle makes you the captian of your ship. You are in control. The key goal is to  gradually build a positive cash flow and pursue personal goals with profits of your passion. The most rewarding part of a Business LifeStyle is FREEDOM! . You can choose when to work or when not to work, and  have more time to spend with your family and friends.

Would you like to learn how to design your Business LifeStyle the ArtSHINE way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1. Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

   

2. Send an e-mail to this ArtSHINE : info @ArtSHINE.com.au

3. Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching 

session:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArtShineDiscovery

Images:

http://gillseafood.com

Choose your destiny! - By Marie-nicole

The dictionary meaning of the word ‘destiny’ implies that there is a lack of control over the outcome of your future. Although we do not have full control over everything that takes place around us, we can surely do our best to steer our life in our chosen direction.

In the lead up to a new year, the desire to reflect on and assess life is common. New years resolutions are made and decisions to change one’s situation often set in motion. I am not terribly big on setting new years resolutions myself as I find I assess enough of my life the entire way through a year, especially since as a micro business owner I have in the past fallen into the trap of doing what comes my way even if it is not what I truly wished to be spending my time doing. Which is why I now think it is essential to stop reflect and assess regularly on what you are spending your time, money and energy on. If you don’t like how your life has turned out or the direction your business is heading then it is up to you to make changes and realign yourself with where you would like to be heading. These changes do not need to be huge, but they do need to be significant to your desired outcome.

The one thing I do like to do at the beginning of a new year is set myself one major goal for that year, giving my year a focal point. Usually it is something that I have had hovering in the back of my mind or written in my journal many times over, and when I see that a year ahead may be well suited to realising that dream, I bring it to the forefront and make it my goal for that year.

In order to set realistic achievable goals for yourself I think it is important to take the time to get to know yourself and what it is you really want to be doing with your life; right now, in the near future and the distant future. Keep in mind that goals may change over time. Just because 10 years ago I wanted to travel the world while photographing for a living does not mean that I still want that now as my situation has changed, now having children and a different set of priorities. I still have a great desire to travel and a passion for photography, but the priority of providing my children with a sense of belonging, the security of a home and a lifestyle where as a family we grow our own food and live sustainably, means that lengthy trips overseas are not as feasible as they were 10 years back. That is not to say that I should abolish that dream, but rather understand what the essence of that dream was about. I think it may be about the sense of adventure and discovery which is something that can also be experienced closer to home, in shorter trips.

This realisation came to light when my husband and I went to Chicago and New York City a couple of years ago. We did a lot of our discovering on foot and when we got back to Australia I decided to
treat my day trips to the inner city areas of Sydney the same way. I park further away from my desired destination then walk the last partof my trip which enables me to really take in the smaller details of an areas culture while discovering shops, cafés, street art and beautiful little gardens that I would have missed had I driven right up to the curbside of my desired destination. In the last couple of years we’ve also taken a few more road trips and treated them in much the same wayas our US trip. Adjusting your dreams to your current situation shouldnot mean loosing the essence of what you are about.
 

Apart from knowing yourself when setting your goals in order to choose your own destiny, I think it is equally important to understand how the people around you are affecting you and your ability to realise your dreams (or your family’s dreams). Some, no matter how close to you they are, may simply be a negative influence because they themselves do not believe that they have a say in their own destiny. They may be the type of person that blames everyone but themselves for their misfortunes. I am not saying that you should cut ties with these people entirely, but I think it is extremely important to engage with people that lift you up and encourage or inspire your personal or creative growth and development. When times seem tough you will draw from the energy theyprovide you. At other times you can be their source of positive energy when they need it. Having this kind of support will be invaluable toyou staying positive about the possibilities that life can offer you if you are open to the opportunities that are out there just waiting for you to embrace them.

So I would like to encourage you to steer your life in the direction you would like it to head... there is no use spending unnecessary energy on blaming others for what you have not achieved or what you do not have... choose to make it happen, realise your dreams, dream up new ones and live the best life that you can live!

Image: by marie-nicole
Dream catcher: www.teawithagypsy.esty.com

How to become a master of doing nothing

My partner Stuart  settles into a lounge chair on 

the promenande deck and allows himself to doze

Last week we talked about the art of doing nothing and how important it is for you to have time out... "Me Time" to relax, refresh and renew yourself! Now is the best time ever to take advantage of how to master this art. You are now on happy holiday season mode. No excuse not to learn this art. Trust me, you will love it and you truly deserve it as you have been working hard in your business lifestyle.

Did you know the Italians have mastered this art for a long time?

They even have a quote for it:

"  il dolce far niente"
"the sweetness of doing nothing"

 Lisa Morgan Artist enjoys her  beach walk

The sweetness of doing nothing does not count if you're going to be lazy lying in bed all day or being a couch potato in the living room watching TV or playing computer games

This art is about doing something that is enjoyable and pleasurable for yourself. Relax in  the moment where you are leaving all the stress & worries behind and  doing nothing effectively by total relaxing your mind. This is a work of art and it will take some time to master.

If you want to master this art, below is a list that you can follow and become the master of doing nothing.

• Surrender yourself to the endless ocean and sky view: enjoy the sights and sounds of the waves washing against the sea bay.
• Stroll along the seaside or waterfront
• Settle into a  comfy lounge chair in a quiet space and allow yourself to doze off
• Enjoy a glass of wine
• Relax in the sauna or a steam room
• Curl up with a good book in a room with relaxing music
• Watch the sun setting over the ocean

As for me enjoy watching the sunset over the ocean

Working from home!

The idea of working from home is attractive, but the reality can be quite challenging. Today I’d like to share with you a list of my tips on working from home, making the most of your time and avoiding distraction and being side tracked.

-  Setting up a dedicated work space that can be closed off from the rest of the house can made a huge difference to productivity. As nice as it is to share your work space with the rest of the family having your own space makes it easier to concentrate on your ‘work’.

-  Choose an inspiring space or make it inspiring. Being locked in a closet with no natural light or airflow can make it difficult to be enthusiastic about being their for long periods of time. Natural lighting for me is very important it may not be so important to you but at least ensure your space is well lit.

-  Keep your space organised. Being able to put your hands on things quickly will mean you’ll be more productive, rather than spending half the day looking for something (this doesn’t mean it has to be in perfect order at all times).

-  Don’t turn on the TV! Once that box goes on you’ll loose yourself in distraction after distraction. You’d be much better off playing music for background noise instead.

-  The same can be said for surfing the net & social networking activities. Limiting your time spent on tasks that are not related to your current task at hand will enable you to achieve more in less time.

-  Set yourself times for work, play & housework, don’t try to juggle all three at the same time.

-  Get dressed for work, you don’t need to put on a suit or heels, but getting out of your pajama’s or tracksuit and putting on something you’d be comfortable stepping out of the house in will help you feel more productive.

-  Set yourself days and time slots for certain tasks. For me, I generally dedicate an entire work day to production tasks like restoring furniture, painting, screen printing etc... and separate days for financials, administration tasks or writing. For instance, I dress differently for production tasks as I find it hard to come inside and just sit at a computer with paint and the like all over my clothes and not be conscious about leaving a trail in an otherwise clean office environment

-  Find people to connect with outside your home on a regular basis. I’m not just talking about the regimented business networking breakfasts held once a week, although that may suit you just fine, for most people though they can be daunting. What I mean is, get yourself out there and meet other micro business owners, boutique shop owners, your local café owners, fellow artists, crafters and designers. People you can run ideas by, ask advice of or get recommendations from for services etc. Building a network like this can help keep you enthusiastic about pushing forward, spur ideas on new directions or ways of creating different income streams and simply keep you sane. Working from home can be lonely, if you let it be.

In the end, the luxury of working from home comes at a price. If you don’t actually put time into working then you won’t reap the rewards of your efforts. The hardest thing to get used to about working from home, especially if you are your own boss, is that there is noone there to check up on you or hold you accountable for what you have not completed. It’s up to you!

by marie-nicole

Ps. The images I have included in this post are of my studio space and surroundings which inspire me daily. There is my studio workspace is full of repurposed furniture and the shelving is made up of old painters trestles and planks. On a beautiful day I often set up a temporary office outside under a tree and share that space with some of our pets.

www.bymarienicole.com

info@bymarienicole.com

BLOG, ONLINE STORES & STOCKISTS:

www.bymarienicole.blogspot.com

www.bymarienicole.etsy.com

Shop Handmade, Shop 20, Allara St, City Walk, Canberra ACT

LabelLoveBoutique, 202 Comur St, Yass NSW 

5 steps to successful living in Arts and Design

This post is for both new and existing Artists, Designers & Crafters to focus on how to create a successful Lifestyle Business.

1. Build a good foundation

• What do you want from your Art and design
• What are your skills, craftsmanship and creativity?
• Do you have a product?
• Do you have an idea for developing one?
• What to make and when and how to make it.
• Where to live.
• Work from home or away
• Can you do the work yourself or do you need to hire someone to do it?
• Will you be a wholesaler or retailer?
• Will you make one-of-a kind pieces for galleries? Or production work?
• Will you prepare to licence your work or designs
• Your Business Structure
• Who are the key people you depend on (Your Key Stakeholders)
• Customers
• Suppliers
• Employees (staff)
• Owner (Business partner or shareholders)
• Competitors

2. Goal Setting

 Identify your long, medium & short term goals.

• LTG: are those that you just have no idea how to accomplish them. They may be a challenge or they may just scare you.
• STG: are those you can visualise reaching in the day, week or month.
• MTG: are those that fall in the middle.
• Your Personal Goal:
• BODY: Goals relate to physical objectives i.e. losing weight or going to the gym more often.
• Mind: Goals that require a mental reorientation i.e. becoming more positive in your thinking or learning a new skill or career.
• Spirit: Goals that are more metaphysical in nature i.e. meditation or visualization.
• Your Business Goal:
• Business  & Strategy Planning
• Write down when, in the course of a week, a month or a year, you get time to reflect on:
• The direction your business is heading
• Your Quirkiness , your uniqueness, your  design signature
• The palettes of your competitive edge.

3. Personal  & Business Development
• Be a student of personal development. Read business and self development books and learn new skills and gain new knowledge to develop yourself.
• Product and Market research. Search on the internet, visit trade shows, craft markets and go window shopping for ideas

4. Income Producing Activities

o       Be consistent and persistent with your income producing activities!

o       Every day that you work on your business, be disciplined about your day.

o       Plan your daily and weekly activities

o       Use ArtSHINE’s  “Weekly Activity Planner”

o       Produce and update your “Style Guide” folders regularly.

o       Work on your Business. Be  the leader of your  field and “Build a name for yourself”

o       Market your work to generate sell opportunity

o       Post your Blogs

o       Media release

o       Call your potential customers immediately

o       Invite prospective buyers to your studio/Gallery

o       Visit clients

o       Do follow up calls

5. Networking and Masterminding with Leaders

o  Learn from the best!  Connect with a network of a strong mind set. Speak to you your      business coach /Mentor on at least a monthly basis.

o  Participate on workshops and attend seminars.

o  Do what the top artists and designers do, emulate their successes and you will have what they have.

o  Look for ways to contribute to the Art & Designs community.

o  Work for a Charity or form your own foundation and give back to community.

"But HOW do I know what my passion is??"

Don't know what your passion is?

Don’t worry, sometimes passion will find you instead of you finding it!  For some it takes longer to find their true passion and for others, it’s just right in front of them and sometimes you don't even realise it.  Sometimes you need people around to guide you to make you aware of it too.

As for Stuart & I, we've gone through quite a few before we’ve found our true passion as a business coach.

One advice I can give you is stay true to who you are, life is too short to not enjoy what you do. If you no longer love what you do then it is important to find or rediscover something else that brings the spark back into your life. 

So, whatever it may be you will know when you’ve found your passion!

It's a calling! Some people might call it

HOW?

Well, the HOW is a great way to start to discover your passion. You will start looking around and the constant head chatter in your head is looking for your passion too, this is because you want to find what it is that will make you happy and doing what you love so your "RAS" (‘Reticular Activating System’) is on to attract all the things that  interest you helping to define your passion. RAS is your brain's unique compass device. It helps you focus on things that are relevant to your passion.

Your passion should be things that make your heart sing yet perhaps instil some fear... and gets you asking questions like, "Where do I start & how do I bring my passion into reality?" 

Remember this...it's not in the knowing. The knowing will come if the passion is worthy.

One of my dear friends asked me "But HOW do I know what my passion is??"

My questions to her were:

What makes you feel good? 

What excites you? 

What fulfils you?

What are your interests? Eg hobbies etc

Once you’ve identified what you love to do, the next key step is to figure out whether there is an opportunity for you to live the life you want and earn an income from your passion.

Once you’ve worked this out, you have to ask yourself the following questions: 

·         Are you good at it?

·         Do you think you could make a living from this?

·         Are you ready for this?

·         Are you 100% COMMITTED

     Are these questions confrontational to you at all?

    You need to be honest and be true to yourself. If you've found your passion and you are not confident or competent with it, that does not say you can't pursuit it. First of all, do your research and learn more about it. You can take classes or even get professional help like hiring a business coach or a mentor who can work along side you.  

Pay attention to your trap mode. A "trap mode" is something that you might fall into a mode that will stop you from achieving your goals and therefore it's also a distraction from reaching your desire and passion.

     Want to find your Passion or to fine tune your Passion? 

     Here are the exercises you can discover what truly will make you happy and fulfill your life.

     Find Your Desire, Passion & Purpose (DPP) Part 1 

     Find Your Desire, Passion & Purpose (DPP) Part 2