Are you happy with your creative business? I mean really happy. Do you make enough money to live how you want to live without sacrificing time with friends and family in order to do it?
If you answered no to those questions, then I’d suggest that you start a creative business journal. In this journal you can use a combination of images and words to figure out what you need to do to be happy with your creative business.
Get Your Right Brain Involved
Most creative entrepreneurs live in their right brains. We tend to learn through images and visuals, make decisions based on our feelings, and use our imaginations. We’re less likely to follow strict instructions, be good with numbers, and read instruction manuals. That’s just how it is.
So, why do creative entrepreneurs use only left-brained activities in their business planning? If we know that we learn and get motivated by stories, diagrams, pictures, and drawings, why do we continue to use analytical activities to try to move our businesses forward?
Well, you can’t just forget about the numbers. You need to know how much money you’re bringing in, what your specific goals are, and the steps you need to take to reach those goals. But, you can combine right-brained activities with left-brained activities to use your strengths in business planning.
What Is a Creative Business Journal?
It’s a place where you can let your imagination run free while planning your business. It’s a notebook, journal, or drawing pad that you use to record your creative dreams, business goals, marketing plans, and more.
You don’t have to buy art supplies. Just use what you already have. You can use crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint, pictures, magazine pages and more to decorate your creative business journal.
You Need to Make Business Plans and Goals
As creative people, we can easily get lost in the creative process and let day after day slip by. It’s important to have your business plans and goals written down, so you can review them and check them off as you achieve them.
I work in my creative business journal at least once a week, and I review it each month. I look over the progress I’ve made and determine the areas that I need to spend more time on. I also note if I’m getting closer or further away from my “dream business.” If I’m losing focus, I get myself back on track. And, I get motivated by the images, diagrams, and pictures I’ve included in my journal.
So, here’s what I want you to do:
1. Pick a journal/notebook/drawing pad for your creative business journal. You can recycle one that you already have, or you can purchase a new one.
2. Decorate the cover of your creative business journal over the next week. You can cover it with inspiring magazine pages, draw on it yourself, cover it with pictures you’ve taken, or anything else.
3. Come back next Friday, because this post is the first in a series of four posts about creative business journaling. Next week I’ll cover what you should include in your creative business journal.
April Bowles-Olin
April Bowles-Olin works with creative women to lead more fulfilling lives while they make money doing it. She also attempts to add a little prettiness to the world with her art and jewelry. You can learn more about her at Blacksburg Belle or connect with her on twitter @blacksburgbelle.
Image Credit
via sweetbestiary
