If you know me in real life, you'll know about my ongoing battle with swimming in (what I perceive to be) the arctic waters of North Wales. This summer, I took a few dips in the sea after work, encouraged by my fearless husband Ben, who strides into the waves here in Cardigan Bay and declares each swim “absolutely amazing, Jo!”. In reality, I am a paddler. A splasher. I tread water.
Do any of you sometimes feel this way about your creative businesses? I know I have over the summer. I've stayed in my comfort zone, splish splosh, not taking any major leaps into the waves. I did conquer my fears and record two IGTV lives, which were much more enjoyable than I expected: the first was with Instagram expert Katya Willems, where we discussed the value of finding your own creative path. With the gorgeous Nikki at Pedddle UK, the second was about fresh starts, staying focused, and getting the most out of our limited working hours. (As an aside, I need to set up a tripod so that my recording area is a little more professional - no more leaning my phone on the window sill and waving to the neighbours as they walk by my office! If anyone can recommend one to me, I'd be grateful!).
What have you pushed yourself to do this summer that you didn't think you could? How did it make you feel?
I've worked with several clients this year who have become comfortable with treading water because they don't know how to show up online. Maybe this is an issue for you, too?
We look around, we compare, we talk ourselves out of our ideas, maybe not even mentioning them to anyone in the first place. We wonder if we should launch a new collection, outsource something or start a new project like a blog or newsletter. The Social Dilemma has prompted many of us to question our relationship with social media (and you know I have a lot to say on that subject!). I've been asking myself: should I spend more, or less time, on Instagram? Am I too salesy? Do people know what I offer? Am I boring? Do I need to join in with everything I see online? Where are my boundaries, and how do I tell my story? People buy from people, but who is in my audience? How do I even find them?
Well, I love to think about the answers to these questions, so I am delighted to tell you about another way that I am going to push through my comfort zone.
Along with the extraordinary creative coach and artist Kathryn Ho, I will soon invite you to an online workshop that will encourage you to dig deep into why you do what you do, and how you can communicate your work in a way that makes you feel good. Kathryn and I will work out the details next week, and you will be the first to hear about it. We know it will be inspiring and practical.
So, maybe this month we can promise each other to try to stop treading water?There are so many factors we can't control right now, but let's ‘do what we can with what we have’, and try to ride the waves. We might even enjoy it.
