Ali The Happy VA

Helping You Create a Happier Biz

  • Ali The Happy VA
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Media
    • Anti-Racism Small Business Pledge
  • Work With Me
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
  • Contact
The Artist's Way at Work: 12 Weeks to Creative Freedom

The Artist’s Way at Work: 12 Weeks to Creative Freedom

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in a bit of a funk with my VA biz.

I am fortunate enough to have a full virtual assistance practice with wonderful clients, which I am SO grateful for, and I’m proud of the work we do together.

But, it’s been hard for me to be consistent outside of my client work. I never seem to find the time to work on my own business. This is a problem for all sorts of reasons! Especially since I am someone whose core values include joy and creativity. So! I’m cracking open a book I’ve had on my shelf for quite a while now: The Artist’s Way at Work: 12 Weeks to Creative Freedom by Julia Cameron, Mark Bryan, and Catherine Allen.

Maybe You’ve Heard of The Morning Pages…

This is a daily writing practice developed by Julia Cameron and explained in her book The Artist’s Way. This is a practice that changed me. Truly. I am still amazed that it worked so well. For those of you who haven’t heard of the Morning Pages, this is a practice of writing three stream of consciousness pages by hand each morning, as quickly as you can without stopping.

This practice helped me to relieve my anxiety and cleared my mind of the junk to make way for better work. I’ve been practicing for a few years now, but I admit the last year or so, I’ve been cheating a little – I take longer, I don’t do all 3 pages, etc.

So! Since Julia’s work was so transformational for me back in 2015/2016, I’ve decided to try following her 12 week program for work/business: The Artist’s Way at Work: Riding the Dragon – 12 Weeks to Creative Freedom.

Care to follow along? Or even jump in yourself? I’d love to have you join me!

RELATED POST  10 Minute Mini Breaks to Keep You Grounded + Refreshed

Here’s The Plan

  • Practice each section of the book’s exercises daily
  • Report back here weekly
  • Share the exercises I did and my experiences doing them
  • Share any results I notice when applicable
  • Repeat until the book is complete!

The First Assignment: Entering The Gate

The very first assignment in the book is to write down all your fears about completing this book’s program and seal it away for future reference at the end of the 12 weeks, so that’s just what I did.

My Fears About Working on This Program:

  1. I won’t find/make the time to complete it
  2. I will not be consistent with the homework
  3. I’ll do the work but I won’t feel any differences
  4. This project is taking away from work that could be more impactful and useful

Okay, so here we go. I hope you’ll join me and get something out of this too as I embark on a mini adventure to find more creativity, connection, and authenticity in my work. 🙂 

Have you ever done anything like this before? What workbooks have been the most helpful for you? Let me know!

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares
«
»

*I sometimes link to books, tools, and other things that I adore and may receive a small commission for it. Read my full disclosure here.

Trackbacks

  1. How to Start Climbing Out of a Funk in Your Biz - Ali The Happy VA says:
    August 23, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    […] You can read more about this project in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  2. I Gave Myself a Time-Out - Ali The Happy VA says:
    August 31, 2020 at 8:58 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  3. Uncover Your Secrets + Upgrade Your Life - Ali The Happy VA says:
    September 10, 2020 at 8:50 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  4. I Fell Into The Abyss - Ali The Happy VA says:
    September 21, 2020 at 8:40 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  5. How to Experience Luxury for $20 or Less + Why it Matters - Ali The Happy VA says:
    September 28, 2020 at 10:40 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  6. How to Experience Luxury for $20 or Less + Why it Matters - Ali The Happy VA says:
    September 28, 2020 at 10:42 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  7. At The Wheel of a New Machine - Ali The Happy VA says:
    October 5, 2020 at 10:29 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  8. How to Use Jealousy as a Map Towards the Life You Want - Ali The Happy VA says:
    October 25, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  9. How to Use The Power Dance + Releasing Resentment - Ali The Happy VA says:
    November 2, 2020 at 8:45 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  10. Owning Our Ambition - Ali The Happy VA says:
    November 15, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  11. You Should Probably Get a Hobby - Ali The Happy VA says:
    December 7, 2020 at 10:22 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  12. 10 Minute Mini Breaks to Keep You Grounded + Refreshed - Ali The Happy VA says:
    December 20, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply
  13. - Ali The Happy VA says:
    January 6, 2021 at 10:40 am

    […] You can read more about this in my intro post right here. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

FOLLOW ME

Popular Posts

  • 11 Ways to Survive Video Calls When You’re Shy
  • 9 Books Every New & Aspiring Virtual Assistant Must Read
  • How to Create a Home Office that Inspires Productivity & Creativity
  • How to Make Over $90,000+ a MONTH with Affiliate Marketing!
  • 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success – A Review

HAPPINESS IN YOUR INBOX

Sign up to my newsletter to get a bi-monthly dose of business love, freebies, and fresh posts right to your inbox!

PINTEREST

Happiness in Your InBox

Join me for a bi-monthly dose of business love!

Instagram

LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And I thought it would be my "forever" career. Except for one tragic flaw. I could not do a Brazilian wax to save my life.😱 

This was 2005/2006 so that was a big deal.

If I could go back to that time, I’d have a few things to tell my young self that are probably important for any service provider. Things that might have helped prevent me from burning out, getting frustrated (and honestly scared I might get sued), and ultimately giving up completely. 

GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF NOW
As an esthetician, I’d planned to start my own business all along. But I told myself I needed to work in a spa or salon first, observe, and then I could do my own thing in, like, 5 years.

That was just not true.

Other estheticians skipped the traditional spa and salon jobs and went directly into working for themselves, renting out cute rooms in local buildings or even setting up mobile practices. They were able to offer exactly what they wanted to offer and decide on their own pricing.

** I am NOT saying “jump and the net will appear/quit your dayjob now without a plan” because I think that is terrible advice. I’m saying if you know, like I did, that you want to work for yourself eventually, you have what you need to get started and you don’t need to “learn the ropes” for years on end.**

DO THINGS YOU SUCK AT – BUT ONLY UP TO A POINT
Since I did not enjoy providing Brazilians, I sucked at them, and since I sucked at them, I did not enjoy providing them. I had no business providing such a personal service that I sucked at. Leave it for the estheticians who are great at them!

It is important to let yourself be bad at things and be a beginner, but at a certain point, if you're not into what you're trying to get good at anyway, I don't think it is going to work. 

DON’T DO THINGS YOU HATE
Even if that service is in high demand. This might seem like a “no duh” to you, but it really wasn’t to me in the beginning. 

Trends come and go but if you’re seeking ways to be of service in ways that feel good to you, you’ll find your people.

Those 3 lessons I think made me a better #virtualassistant.
Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige soup. It tasted okay but made me sad to look at! It got me thinking again about this #joyfulbook by @aestheticsofjoy I read a couple of years ago... Vibrancy is a nutrient!

PS I should give Alex his props because he always plates our meals beautifully. I just want to step it up when I prep my own meals. 💗
Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying saf Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying safe and cozy. We made it to the end of this crazy year!
Happy Monday and Election week! Been waiting 4 yea Happy Monday and Election week! Been waiting 4 years for this one.

I picked up this beautiful and well-organized #VisionaryJournal planner created by @starchasersonly a while back... but I just haven't been able to plan. But I don't know... I'm feeling optimistic? I may be ready to make some plans again. 

Also, I hope you all voted already or are going to tomorrow! I voted early on the first day I could.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · by Ali The Happy VA

Log in