Written by a lovely human - Julieanne Steedman (no AI over here!) from The School for Modern Makers. Field Guide for the Modern Maker is a weekly dose of inspiration, joy, and business tips for creative entrepreneurs. |
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Well…hello First name / Lovely! Now, is it just me or has the last month or so just FLOWN by? I've been busy teaching the Modern Maker Method, went on a creative retreat with the wonderful women in my Collaborative Mastermind, and co-hosted a giant in-person Spring Handmade Market. It was no surprise to me then when I was chatting with a friend last week about how I was feeling and tired and kinda ‘blah’ that she suggested I might be a bit burnt out. She may be right. |
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THE ‘ALMOST-BURNT-OUT STAGE’ |
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I try my darnedest to plan my year out to give lots of time for each project and not overload certain months - but sometimes things pop up and you end up with an overly busy few weeks or month. So, what to do when you feel burnout or at the ‘almost-burnout’ stage. For me, it's two things. The first is to say no to stuff. I do not add anything more to my plate. I focus on completing the projects I am committed to but don't take on more. The other is to spend time outside. More evening walks, going for an afternoon hike, making time for an early morning canoe. How about you? |
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💗💗 CURRENTLY LOVING / BRINGING ME JOY💗💗 SEWING
Last year during a reflection session at our mastermind retreat I came to the realization that I need to get back into having a few hobbies. Like a lot of creatives, I took my hobby and thing I love (painting and drawing) and made it my job, so I needed to get a new ‘hobby’. It makes sense. So I decided to get back into sewing. Sewing and quilting was one of my first creative outlets. A kind lady down the street from me when I was a teenager coached me and I grew to love sewing and quilting (I even worked at Fabricland when I was in University -ok really, I just became a fabric hoarder!). Anyhow. This weekend I sewed up some patchwork cushion covers for a couple of wicker chairs we have at camp and I love how they turned out. Making them was pure fun - exactly as a hobby should be! |
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HELPFUL TIP 📬 📬 BUILD THAT EMAIL LIST 📬 📬 There are several things that I admit I can go on and on about, but building an email list is the one I probably talk about the most. Recently in a meeting with the students in my Modern Maker Method course they shared that they were excited to have started an email list (yay!) and now are trying to figure out how the heck to actually grow that list. So, email newsletter growth tip #1. In-person events can be a brilliant time to add subscribers to your list. At craft markets I like to do a draw for a $100 gift card to my shop. It gives me something to chat about with visitors, people seem to love filling out the ballot, and I always come home with a few hundred new names to add to my list. 💌 |
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P.S. If you have ‘grow my email newsletter list’ on your to-do list for 2024, I highly recommend giving Flodesk a go. It's intuitive, beautiful, and easy-to-use (I love things that are simple!). |
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At times, I collaborate with affiliate programs that may generate commissions from clicks and/or purchases. These affiliate links support all the free content I offer, and I only endorse products that I genuinely use and appreciate. Thank you for your support! © 2024 Julieanne Steedman, All rights reserved. |
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