December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas
To all who celebrate, may your day be filled with what you love most.

There’s nothing like seeing January 1 on the calendar to get your blood flowing. The thrill of starting fresh! The anticipation of creating new benchmarks and reaching new dreams! Oh, but wait, there’s so much detritus getting in your way. What would it feel like to get rid of it all so that the New Year is truly new?

Today’s message comes from Rachelle Disbennett-Lee. Rachelle writes a daily (yes, daily) motivational newsletter. She is also my guest for a special teleseminar on January 9, the details of which I’ll reveal in next issue.

As a recipient of Rachelle’s daily emails, I was struck by one message in particular last week. I thought it was such a great idea that I wanted to share it with you today--with her permission.

Rachelle writes:

“The New Year is just about here. What I like about the New Year is the ability to have a new start and begin fresh. For me, this doesn't just happen. I set an intention to tie up all the loose ends, wrap up all the old business, and start anew. I think there is nothing better than starting the year off with a clean slate.

“I have heard the expression, 'Start with a clean slate' all my life, but had no idea it was actually a nautical expression. According to FortOgden.com, ‘A slate tablet was kept near the helm on which the watch keeper would record the speeds, distances, headings and tacks during the watch. If there were no problems during the watch, the slate would be wiped clean so that the new watch could start over with a clean slate.’ This is exactly what we want to do; we want to wipe the slate clean so we can start the New Year with a clean slate.

“I have, what I call, a Clean Slate week between Christmas and New Year’s. During this week I clean my office, clean out files and cabinets, set up new files for the New Year and wrap up any loose ends. I also review my business and marketing plans and update them with my new goals for the New Year. And, of course, I make a new prosperity board that pictures what my goals and aspirations are for the New Year. Doing all this helps me start the New Year with a clean slate.

“You wouldn't have to limit this to just your office. This time of year is a great time to clean out closets and other areas of your home and donate or throw away items you no longer need, love or use. Give your home a good cleaning, or hire someone to do it. The idea is to do whatever would make you feel complete with the old year and help ring in the new.”

ACTION STEPS TO TAKE

Know This...
While most of us are still in the holiday mode, we still want to start the New Year off right.

Think About This...
What would it feel like to complete all of your incompletes and get rid of the piles and debris?

Do This...

Clean your slate this week. To expand on and add to the items Rachelle mentioned, I encourage you to look at:

• Your task list. What’s been on the list for too long? Do you really need to do it?
• Your studio. What’s broken? What materials aren’t being used that you could store or give away?
• Your filing. Oh, boy! This is a big one. Get those papers off your desk and off the floor and put into some kind of system that makes sense.
• Your mailing list. Take all of those names and business cards and add them to your database.
• Your artwork. Complete a piece you’ve been putting off. Take a stab at a new technique you’ve wanted to try.
• Your correspondence. Write your thank-you notes and send New Year’s greetings to those you missed before Christmas.
• Your computer. Back up your files and throw out old files you no longer need. Do the same for your website.

And remember to put it on your calendar for next year. Don’t schedule other appointments. This week is just for you.

Heard on the Art Biz Blog

► What are the 5 biggest mistakes artists make in their businesses? I list all five in a pre-Christmas countdown.

A number of artists responded to last week’s newsletter that encouraged you to write down your accomplishments for 2006 and to celebrate.

Laura Aiken commented:

“I was on HGTV's ‘That's Clever!’ in October. I am also teaching mosaic art in a studio in a very artsy section of our city! I was in the newspaper several times! I was in two different books. . . . “

Carissa Schlesinger added:

“One of my best accomplishments was my inclusion in a new book about hand felting. ‘Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads; 25 Artful Designs’ by Carol Huber Cypher. The artist contacted me to have one of my pieces appear in her gallery section. I am still thrilled!!”

Read all of the comments and make sure you’re not making any of the 5 biggest mistakes at http://www.artbizblog.com.