What’s is making you happy this month? What do you feel most grateful for? What experiences/people/places are making your heart sing?
Write it all down on June’s happy list! Big things, small things – it really doesn’t matter! All that matters is that everything on your list makes you smile and feel thankful.
On my happy list this month… finding this wonderful little space to dream!
Download June’s happy list and start celebrating your happiness today!
“I have really tried to be the change many of us want to see.” ~ Andres Roberts
Today’s world is more complex and challenging than ever before. Many of us find ourselves meandering aimlessly through life paying little attention to how we feel or where we’re heading. It’s no wonder that we find ourselves feeling lost and disconnected. When we don’t really know or understand our true authentic selves, how can we truly connect with others, and the world around us?
Andres Roberts, co-founder of Way of Nature UK, is a leading expert in positive revolution. As a guide, a facilitator and a leadership and change advisor he is dedicated to helping people find wholeness, purpose and balance in life. The concept of “wholeness” is at the centre of all his projects – understanding that we are a part of something bigger can allow us to let go of the smaller things that hold us back in life (“our everyday bonds”) and focus on the bigger picture.
A group retreat in nature, led by Andres
“For some reason we’ve come to a place in life where it’s normal to wear masks, and play roles,” Andres explains. “It’s intriguing for me that for so many people life begins at five o’clock or at the weekend, when they start doing things they really love. That’s a form of separation for me. What we’re doing is separating ourselves from our beliefs, from each other, and from our true selves. I believe that all this is happening because we act to feed unhealthy aspects of our ego, that small self that can be so misguiding. It’s how many of us end up working in jobs we don’t like, feeding consumer culture, but not really meeting our deepest needs and passions.
“When we think and act from a small ego we lose sight of the fact that we are part of a much bigger ecology and to me this is really interesting. I believe that we feel that ecology all of the time. We need to spend time outdoors. We need to spend time in nature. As soon as the sun is out we all want to be out there, we all feel heavy and tired and we sense our energy draining if we sit behind the computer all the time. We evolved in the wild with trees, birds and grasses, so when we go for a walk in nature, it’s about going back home. Being outside in nature can lead to deep relaxation and opening of the heart and that it is an antidote to what contemporary work and life, fuelled by a consumer culture, is all about.”
Andres leading a group in Crestone, Colorado
A few years ago Andres’ work investigating playfulness, or the lack of it, in our working lives opened the door to nature. He started taking groups of people to Spain to experience solos in the wilderness – on their own for a day or two – to help them to reconnect with themselves and nature. He also organizes retreats and workshops to get more connected with nature and recently spent 28 days alone in the Colorado mountains.
He explains: “When people spend significant immersive amounts of time in nature their sense of self shifts. The boundaries within the walls of their body and mind begin to move. They feel present and connected, and they begin to flow more easily as part of a world, a bigger world. It’s like growing a family; your sense of self expands. You see outside yourself and realize that life is not just about you anymore. You are connected. You are all one. We are all one. It’s very natural to want to spend more time in nature because we miss that connection to something bigger, the wider whole.”
Do you feel lost or disconnected? Do you want to live a more whole and balanced life? [Tweet “Are there things about the way you work, live and play that you want to change but don’t know how?”] Do you dream of spending more time in nature? Andres can help you figure out the answers here. And for more information about Andres, visit his website.
“I know Andres well both professionally and personally. He is an absolute pleasure to work with and to be with. His motivation for systemic change is tangible and his energy is abundant and infectious. I think this comes from his alignment with the natural world and the purity of his motivation. He is a genuine inspiration.” ~ Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Aviva Investors
“Secondary to being with my family, I am most happy when I am kite surfing – give me a kite and a board and some wind and waves, and you won’t wipe the smile off my face. Why does it make me happy? There’s a feeling of freedom, exhilaration, and oneness with nature that comes from kiting – and an extraordinary rush of adrenaline. On top of that it’s great exercise, recreation, relaxation and stress management, and there’s something so spiritual about the experience.” ~ Richard Branson
The places in which we choose to live, work and play can affect us on so many levels. They can influence our moods, our energy levels, our ability to think clearly and creatively, and even the way we move and interact with others. For instance, when you’re being interviewed for a new job you might feel tense because you’re so keen to impress; when you’re on a roller coaster you might feel exhilarated with the thrill of the ride; when you walk through a busy train station, you might find yourself speeding up to keep pace with the crowds; and when you enter a warm, welcoming and familiar space, chances are you’ll automatically relax.
Paying close attention to the affect that different environments have on the way we think and feel can help us figure out where we feel happiest and then take positive steps towards spending more time in these, or finding ways of creating happy places in our daily lives.
Creating your happy place
When I joined Do What You Love I realised just how important it is to have a space of my own. Working remotely from a laptop gives me the freedom to work anytime, anywhere in the world, but I also wanted a home office, a base with a desk, storage, and all my creature comforts. As I started visualising what my ‘office’ could look like I had a lightbulb moment: this space could be lots of other things too; somewhere I could go to read, paint, be creative and practice yoga.
It’s the first time I’ve ever had a room of my own, a bright airy space, filled with colour, fairy lights, beautiful books, and inspirational things I’ve collected over the years. Everywhere I look I’m reminded of things I love – my family and friends, hobbies, work, travels, adventures, experiences and dreams. It really is my own little piece of paradise.
We all dream of having a place or a space where we can get away from it all, glean fresh inspiration and enjoy some me time.
[Tweet “To find your happy place, ask yourself…”]
Rachel
Our acclaimed, transformational Do What You Love e-course is back, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to spend more time doing what they love, in places they love. The course runs for 5 weeks and it starts on June 15, 2015. To find out more click here.
“I’ve lived more, said yes to more, and opened my eyes more in the last few weeks that I have in the last year” ~ Birgitta Z
“I feel so excited about the future! I have learned so much about myself in the last five weeks. Now I really do trust that anything is possible.” ~ Claire K
Today we are delighted to bring you an interview with talented Brooklyn-based designer Lotta Jansdotter, a self-taught pattern and print maker whose designs can be found on everything from mugs and rugs, to prints and wallpaper to clothes and baby carriers.
I met Lotta back in April when I took her workshop at the Sweet Paul Makerie retreat, Philadelphia. I had so much fun playing with colour and design, creating simple mood boards, stencilling, and completing my own fabric project. As we chatted I learned that Lotta was born in 1971 on Åland, a small group of islands in archipelago between Sweden and Finland, which explains why her aesthetic is so deeply rooted in nature and the landscape.
I was also impressed by her pragmatic and self-sufficient approach to design: Can’t find what you want? Make it? Don’t know how? Learn! Lotta takes the basic craft skills she learned as a child, such as potato printmaking and sewing, and reworks them into sophisticated tools and techniques. Her designs may be steeped in artisan traditions and DIY but the homespun aspect ends there. Her look is sleek and urban and her products are practical and functional – created to suit busy city life. ~ Rachel
PS If this inspires you to explore possibilities for your own designs, you might be interested in a free five-part video series on Designing for Home Decor from our sister site MakeArtThatSells.com (starts Jun 8 – register here now to get the videos into your inbox)
Recently Beth was on a panel at a debate in London, talking about whether Doing What You Love being good advice is ‘an urban myth’. As you can imagine, she was on the side arguing that it is important, valuable advice. During the lively debate, hosted by Barclays at the Royal Institute, a number of interesting points were raised by the audience. Due to time constraints, not all of these were discussed, but I wanted to pick up on one in particular that we hear quite often ourselves: the idea that doing what you love is selfish.
Personally I couldn’t disagree with this more. I think that the exact opposite is true. Of course, in the beginning when you are exploring your interests and your passions and realising your hopes and dreams, it may feel like you are being a little self-indulgent, especially if you aren’t used to spending time doing things that you enjoy and care about. But as soon as you open your heart and mind to doing what you love, through conversations, by being pro-active, or even starting a new business, you find that what you love starts to matter to other people too.
A personal journey towards doing what you love begins with asking yourself some really deep and thought-provoking questions. Questions that are all about you, your life and how you want it to be. But to perceive this as you being self-absorbed or even selfish is very short-sighted. Once you start to find the answers amazing things can happen. You start interacting with like-minded people who share your ideas, your passions and your interests, you open your heart and mind to exciting new opportunities that make help you learn and grow; you discover a greater charity and a willingness to share and collaborate, and you strive to be your best self.
Let me give you two very good examples based on two people featured in our recent Alchemy Series.
Dave Cornthwaite: a Graphic Designer who at 26 had everything that society had implied he needed to be successful. However he was far from happy. 10 years ago he left it all behind and set out on a journey to find some answers. His adventures since then have been very inspiring. His ‘Say Yes More’ campaign is helping transform the mindset of thousands and his newest project is helping plant a huge number of trees. His personal journey has ultimately allowed him to inspire many others to follow their own passions and do what they love.
Emily Penn: after University Emily was offered a job as an architect in Australia but because she was so committed to protecting the environment she refused to fly. Instead, she sailed there from the UK. It was on this journey that she discovered a deep love and respect for both the ocean and the communities she met along the way. Rather than taking the job, she became an ocean advocate and she is now passionate about eliminating plastics from the sea.
[Tweet ““Individually we are one drop, together we are the ocean” ~ Ryunosuke Satoro”]
These personal quests were pivotal to finding clarity and purpose and they highlight just what can be achieved when you follow your true passion. Maybe when you are the best ‘you’ that you can be, you can create the most opportunities to help and inspire others.
If you are struggling with the idea of doing what you love, or feel that it is selfish, or that it is hard to focus on your own plans and dreams when you have so many obligations to others, then I would encourage you to consider joining us for the Do What You Love e-course beginning on June 15, 2015. It will completely change your perspective, and help you understand why the world actually needs you to do what you love.
Either way, this month I’d like to challenge you to think about someone who inspires you. How they have followed their own passions? How have they ended up having a greater impact in the world as a result? Then think about what that could look like for you.
Until next time,
Mr K
The long summer evenings have brought with them a renewed sense of relaxation and calm after an incredibly busy few months at DWYL HQ. After almost a year of new content creation and recruitment our team has clicked with everyone fitting into the right roles, finding autonomy and feeling assured. The sheer volume of work that the team has got through since January is astounding. I take my hat off to each and every one of them, from Beth downwards. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with so many people who are motivated by purpose, and who work with humour and a smile to such incredibly high standards.
Fast on the back of her appearance at The Barclays Debate #barclaysdebate Beth was proud to talk at the recent Mumsnet conference in London. She was there as part of a panel providing business and lifestyle advice about how to start up on your own. I know she thoroughly enjoyed herself as she came back with a spring in her step after mingling with so many other aspiring and driven mothers.
The Business Soul Sessions opened its classroom doors (digitally speaking) on May 11 to a new group of individuals. This revolutionary course offers a thought-provoking, perspective-shifting, mind-opening approach to business growth for entrepreneurs who want greater impact, explosive growth and serious profits they can be proud of. Without blowing our own trumpet, I wish we could have taken The Business Soul Sessions at the start of our journey!
It has been nearly three years since the previous class ran and I can’t wait for all the wonderful eureka moments that I know our students will have. So many great things come out of this course for so many people, and it’s wonderful to watch our students grow and transform their approach and their businesses before our eyes. This is what some of our past students have said…
“This course was pivotal for me. It helped me gain a professional confidence and business identity that I didn’t know I was even missing.” ~ Noelle Rollins
“My business has grown at least 300% and my network and knowledge have expanded exponentially because of this course.” ~ Sandra Dumais
“The Business Soul Sessions changed my entire approach to everything I did. It changed how I thought about business and living the life of a business person. I taught myself to value my talents, my time and my efforts. I would tell anyone who is in a business that relies on creativity, imagination and ingenuity that they really need to do this course. It will pay for itself and you’ll look back in time and be so grateful that you invested in your soul work”. ~ Kass Hall
And there’s lots more exciting news to report…
1. Registration is open for the next DWYL e-course, starting June 15. We’re proud to say that the powerful yet practical content contained in this transformative course continues to surprise people. It’s all about helping you find the answers to your questions and then taking the right actions for you. If you are wondering about the true power of the course, well it doesn’t come much bigger than a Marriage Proposal… and just wait until you find out how he popped the question!
2. We launched our brave stranger campaign to celebrate bravery in all shapes and sizes, by every day people. Get involved on Facebook or Twitter next week for a chance to WIN a place for you and a friend on the DWYL e-course.
[Tweet “Change your life! WIN a place for you and a friend on the next DWYL e-course”]
3. We’ve had some brilliant applications for Little Beach Hut of Dreams and we can’t wait to share how our beach hut residents spend their days by the sea. UPDATE: The Little Beach Hut of Dreams has been sold as we no longer live in Brighton and only residents are permitted to own beach huts there. This post has been archived for reference but we are no longer accepting applications for Dreamer-in-Residence. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Dreamers-in-Residence for being part of our adventure, and to Towergate Insurance for awarding The Little Beach Hut of Dreams runner up position in Beach Hut of the Year 2015. She was very proud!
4. Our Webinar Series – Alchemy – has certainly got people inspired and thinking. The feedback and comments have been great. Alchemy is constantly available and now takes pride of place in amongst our other FREE Resources – Sign up today and listen to some of the most interesting and potentially important conversations you will hear all year.
5. Our blog continues to be galvanised by our guest bloggers who are all leading all experts in their field. They include: Alastair Humphreys, Ben Keene, Frances Booth, Louise Armstrong and Lara Tabatznik.
6. What do you think about our new look? Last month our new website launched. We want it to be a place you can trust to find all the inspiration, tools, resources and support you need. At the end of the day all of this is for you. So we’d love to hear you thoughts. Please get in touch and let us what works, what doesn’t and most importantly, tell us if something is missing, or if there are any features you’d find helpful. We really do value your feedback.
1. The LIVE event is SOLD OUT! Make Art That Sells: The Global Art Gathering will take place in Brighton, UK, on Friday, June 12, 2015. It promises to be a fun-filled, action-packed day with all the energy, passion and magic you’d expect from Make Art That Sells. We’ll be welcoming a host of acclaimed speakers and panelists from the international art industry to advise and inspire you.
2. MATS: Creating Collections for Home Decor has been hugely in demand since we announced its launch last month. Lilla and Beth have teamed up with Top Art Director Margo Tantau – to run the fantastic course that Margo has described as a GAME CHANGER! To ensure you don’t miss out before it sells out Register here.
3. MATS: Assignment Bootcamp has entered in its final month. I can honestly say that I will miss the buzz in the Bootcamp Community when it draws to a close but I know there will only be a short interlude before attention turns to this year’s Global Talent Search. Don’t miss out on what could be one of the biggest and best opportunities for your career… join the waiting list here.
4. Our gorgeous new Make Art That Sells website continues to turn heads! It’s bursting with free resources, industry insight and motivational videos to help the artists among you make leaps forward with your career. Be sure to check it out.
Since our sister site, Make It In Design, announced Printsource New York as their Official Trade Show Partner energy levels have been sky high. As one of the world’s most prestigious shows for the surface pattern design and textile industry, this partnership will provide exclusive content, behind the scenes access, and top tips to help designers build their brand through trade shows.
1. Trade show video series – over 1,000 people tuned in from around the world last week to watch our latest Trade Show video series hosted by Rachael Taylor and Massimo Iacoboni, the owner of Printsource New York. The feedback has been amazing with many people letting the team know how many great ideas they’ve picked up and how grateful they were for all the free inside know-how to trade show success. Rachael shared years of trade show trial and error to help others avoid the steep learning curve. The videos are still available to watch until May 31, 2015. Sign up here.
2. Make it in Design are on the countdown to one of the most exciting and powerful courses in the world of surface pattern design – ‘The Ultimate Portfolio Builder in association with Printsource‘. This advanced 7-week course will give you all the tools and advice you need to grow your body of commercially viable work, refine and strengthen your professional design portfolio, make your designs more sellable and give you the fast-track to trade show success. Class starts on May 25, 2015, there’s still time to join us.
3. Uppercase launched an exciting competition to win a place on the upcoming ‘The Ultimate Portfolio Builder’ course. To date there have been over 70 entries which you can read on the blog here.
4. Summer School dates are out! Last July hundreds of people joined Make it in Design for some creative fun for all the family. Check out the Summer School Lookbook featuring some of their favourite designs and join the waiting list to get more details soon.
5. We are also thrilled to tell you that a number of Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design students exhibited at Surtex in New York last week. You can see their latest work right here on the Make it in Design blog.
Just last week Beth (Mrs. K) and I sat down to work through the ‘Core Values’ section of The Business Soul Session course for our business (yes, we use our own resources!) and it couldn’t have been better timed. In the midst of all the ideas, an ever-growing team, increasing commitments and working at 100 mph to get everything done, we needed to ensure that we were still being true to the soul of our business. The outcome was really insightful; it reminded us that we must never lose sight of the ‘WHY’ behind our business. It is the beating heart of Do What You Love.
Make time for the important things and stay true to yourself.
Until next time,
Mr. K
Last weekend I joined a workshop in London run by Hay House, the largest and most influential self-empowerment publishing company in the world. It included a whole half day session with Reid Tracy, President and CEO, who shared a host of valuable insights into how to get published.
As I sat there in the room of 250+ people, scribbling madly to capture all the wisdom being shared, I thought about the extent of the potential impact that single workshop could have. Even if only 20% of the people in that room ever get published – by anyone, not necessarily Hay House – and if they each go on to sell only 10,000 copies of their book, assuming that everyone who reads a good book shares it with at least one other person, that’s over a million people who would be reached, supported, or influenced. That’s both huge and exciting.
You could see in the faces of everyone who stood up to ask a question, queued in the break to speak to Reid or one of the authors, sat in the corner furiously making notes, or chatted animatedly to other participants, that dreams were taking shape in that room. The practical guidance, motivation and success stories shared showed that it is possible, even if it takes a lot of hard work. It also made me believe more strongly that our stories are there to be shared, we just need to learn how to share them in a way that connects with other people.
If you were to write a book, what would it be about? Would it be fiction or non-fiction? Advice based? Autobiography? Rooted in research? It’s an interesting question to ask yourself, and see what comes up.
Personally I have had a book in my head for the past 3-4 years, and it feels like it’s time to start bringing it to life. It’s a big thing, that needs a lot of planning and attention, but mostly it just needs me to sit down and write it. That’s a scary thought, knowing that the only thing stopping me from writing it is me. But that’s also a good thought – because it means I can change that in an instant. (She says as she pulls out a brand new notebook…)
So for me, even though I will be on maternity leave for the second half of this year, I plan to use this time of birth, nurturing and space away from work to start my first book. That’s the idea anyway – who knows how it will turn out! If you are working on a book this year let me know – I’d love to share the journey with you.
Do What You Love – the e-course starts June 15 – this is the LAST time we will run the course this year
As I am taking five months off for maternity leave, the June DWYL class will be the last one this year. If you are feeling stuck in a job you hate, frustrated with the lack of balance in your life, weighed down by obligations, creatively stifled or otherwise not doing what you love, I urge you to join us. This mind-opening online course has helped people from countries all across the world to identify and follow their passion, learn how to monetise it or find a career that really makes them feel alive, and live a happier, more fulfilling life as a result.
Don’t miss out – join us! Book your spot here.
This week we challenge you to consider what would need to be different for you to honestly say you are doing what you love every day. Share your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter @DoWhatYouLoveXx.
Until next time!
Beth and team
[Tweet “Why your writing matters (aka birthing my first book)”]
Our new creative course ‘The Ultimate Portfolio Builder’, brought to you in association with top trade show Printsource, starts TODAY. Plus, one lucky participant will win a FREE BOOTH at Printsource New York, plus $1000 towards travel! If you are an artist or designer looking to build your commercial portfolio, and haven’t yet checked out the course, watch this short video featuring course leader Rachael Taylor to find out what is included (hint: it’s jam packed and amazing for your creative career!)
You can still squeeze in if you are quick – book your spot here.
All too often we rush through our days checking items off our to-do lists and wearing our busyness like a badge of honour. But how often do we actually stop and think about why we are doing this? Or where the pressure to multitask with urgency is coming from?
Usually it’s from within. We fear that something bad will happen if things don’t get done. To calm that fear we work harder, and longer, and harder, and longer only to realize that there’s more to do. It never ends.
The thing is, going faster doesn’t necessarily mean we are accomplishing more, or doing things any better. In fact, in most cases, the opposite is usually true. When you slow down you are likely to think more clearly, act purposefully, focus on the task in hand, and make fewer mistakes.
Whenever you’re feeling a bit stressed or overwhelmed, take a few minutes to stop and breathe. Give yourself a break: have a stretch, take a walk, look at the sky, cook a meal, soak in a hot bath, make yourself a drink, doodle, meditate or do just do nothing. Appreciate exactly where you are right now and for being nowhere else but there. After all, it was Gandhi who said: [Tweet ““There is more to life than increasing its speed.””]
When life gets busy, how do you do to slow your pace? We’d love you to share your thoughts in the comments box to inspire others.
When did you last immerse yourself in nature? How did you feel? What lessons did you learn?
Do you dream of jungle adventures with playful orangutans and indigenous tribes in Borneo? Or of crossing Kyrgyzstan on horseback and staying with shepherd families in their yurts? Or of going back in time and learning Mayan traditions whilst discovering the secret archaeological sites, cenotes, caves, and beaches in Mexico? Today we bring you a fascinating interview with a guy who makes these kinds of life-enriching experiences possible for anyone.
James Scipioni is so passionate about travelling deeper, and travelling differently, that he started his own sustainable travel enterprise, Go Barefoot, which works globally, from policy to the grassroots, to ensure that tourism contributes positively to places and their people. Read on to find out more about the incredible travel experiences Go Barefoot offers, and get a special summer discount on your next big adventure… ~Rachel
Safari with Go Barefoot’s host family and friends in Rwanda
