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27/3/2018 0 Comments A Running Start for Big MomentsDo you remember applying for your first job? Getting your first big commission? Landing your first deal with a customer? Or maybe just starting a dreaded conversation?
How did you approach this Big Moment - did you visualise, mentally prepare yourself, or just jump off the cliff? Your approach will probably be determined by your personality. Whether you are hesitant, courageous, self-confident, extrovert, etc. I am more the hesitant introvert, who procrastinates and pushes the Big Moment out as far as possible. But I have found a strategy, which helps me tackle and win in these situations: I need to hit the ground running. Both in life and in business I arrange for a trial run where possible. This means that before applying to the job I want I will write and send out at least 3 applications for jobs I do not really care about. It is not about landing an interview with these, it is about gathering experience and momentum and confidence before the one application which really matters. Applied to other situations this means: Before taking on the first big commission doing a small one for a friend, complete with payment to iron out any creases in the process. Before talking to the gallery I really really want my art to be displayed in, to go and talk to one or more galleries I do not really care about. Or even before diving into a painting on a huge canvas (these are expensive...) to plan and sketch out the painting on paper. This prepares me mentally, gives valuable experiences and feedback and expands my horizon. When the Big Day comes I know that I have done this before. No reason to worry :) Nadin
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12/3/2018 0 Comments Story TimeA long long time ago in a far-away kingdom, there lived a young woman. She was happily married and had a good job. But ever since she was a little girl she had dreamed of one day becoming an artist, who would paint and share beautiful paintings with the world.
So as her life was going so well, she decided to pursue her dream and started painting and sharing, and more painting and more sharing. Unfortunately, paintings take a long time to complete. Eventually, she found herself painting in the evenings after work, and on the weekends, and on holidays. She loved it! But her husband less so. After some time of this, there was an argument. He pointed out that she invested all her free time into something which did not really make profit (yet). And besides, why did she have to have this second 'career' next to her job? She argued that he got to do whatever he wanted in his free time. And that painting made her happy. Since both of these people were adults and knew the basics of communication and conflict resolution, they eventually worked out a compromise: The young woman was going to devote one hour per day to painting - more only if they both agreed. The husband was to let her enjoy her one hour per day. In addition to that, they were going to devote some time in the evening to go for a walk, go out or watch a movie together. The young woman knew that sometimes one has to find the balance between pursuing her own dream and being considerate to her spouse and family. So she made the best of this temporary solution, concentrating on painting and treasuring the creative time she had, never giving up hope that soon she would have more time. And slowly, over time, maybe the husband would discover a creative hobby of his own and understand. The End. Disclaimer: Of course the persons and events in this story are completely fictional... |
AuthorFollow Nadin through the up's and down's of balancing a scientific career, professional illustrations and family. Archives
May 2022
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