The internet is busy, we don't have to be...

Part II

“So this, I believe, is the central question upon which all creative living hinges:

Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?”

Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Hi 👋🏻

I’m writing today on systems for a slow lived life within a creative business, on boundaries and being “on”.

Fancy reading the first of this post? You can do that by heading into my Self Seeded Business section…

I have also created a little resource page of all your workshops on this topic too. I’m very proud of the work I do in service of creatives.

Head here for more;

Systems help so so much.

Let’s break it down.

Say if we take the (long term) goal/ Big Dream of me making Sparkle on Substack a 6 figure Substack. (Yes I do believe it’s possible; I’ve seen it happen for colleagues).

I could easily look at that and think well I’m not Emma Gannon that will never happen. OR I could look at the fact I’ve grown from having a goal of £5k annual revenue earnt through Substack to implementing systems to drive and manage £33k annual revenue in 12months here on this platform. 🤓

I can lean into recognition that the hard work that has meant the instability of the funded arts sector doesn’t give me sleepless nights anymore!

Because I’m fascinated with creative practise (yours and mine), I set up a new space where we can be together to write. More here.

I set it up to be on the same time and day every week.

This means I don’t have to set zooms up or share calendar downloads. It’s just on every week even if I’m not there enabling folks to connect and helping me to serve whilst working on other things including my Big Dream! If you struggle with executive function or enjoy connecting in with colleagues it’s a great tool to use.

Four top tips to help manage boundaries and being on as an online business owner

Being on

• I have three slots a day when I check and reply to emails, that’s all. You can make a note of all the time you are spending on certain tasks and how quickly the day goes if you want to but I can tell you it’s SUPER tiring responding to notifications and emails as and when they come in. It adds to that feeling of always being on. You get more strategic work done, more blue sky thinking and have more space to potter in the garden at lunch if you leave emails alone.

• I delete my apps (Substack and Instagram) twice a week at least. Not only does this super charge my creativity but it also brings me much needed perspective and peace. You can choose and switch up the days as and when…I was the queen of weaving in work when my daughter was tiny but I don’t have to do that now so I don’t.

Boundaries