September and October have been months of preparation and industrious living. We have all had our noses to the grindstone making sure that all our work behind the scenes translates to hugely enjoyable and thought provoking experiences for our participants and readers.
The Do-What You Love e-course is entering its second week and the energy in the classroom has been phenomenal but even this has had to play second fiddle to the honesty that has been demonstrated. It is very evident that so many of us have complex lives and we constantly find we contradict ourselves when in deliberating what we truly want. What we are starting to discover is that if we allow ourselves the time and opportunity to reflect and consider, then some quite obvious solutions begin to present themselves.
We have a long way to go yet but I look forward to sharing some very powerful stories with you in the near future (if they will let me of course).
Our Making Time series has been running throughout September, with almost 2000 people joining our 31-day experiment in making time for the things we love. We hope it provided that little prompt everyday to ensure you find that time and space for yourself. If you missed it you can sign up here (start anytime) to get an inspiring email into your inbox every day for 31 days. It’s completely free and a great way to start the day – why not join us?
And there’s lots more exciting news to report…
1. The Little Beach Hut of Dreams has its first two ‘dreamers in residence’ booked in for later this month. We will be sharing Postcards from the Beach Hut on the blog when their residencies are complete. (Sign up here for our newsletter if you aren’t already on the list to hear when applications open again for the Spring 2015 residency opportunities)
2. In order to make DWYL more accessible and to inspire even more people we’re making some cool changes to our website over the coming months. We can’t wait to get your thoughts – stay tuned for that!
3. I informed you last month that Beth has been locked away hard at work creating the content of an amazing new business e-course. She is testing out on a small focus group of amazing people right now, and will be releasing the full version in early 2015. It will blow your socks off!
It has been a very personal and contemplative process, and in it we give away much of our business model and DNA. Why? Well the simple answer is because it can help you change your life and that is what we are all about. It has certainly changed how we view the world. We cannot wait to share it with you soon.
An update on collaborations
Make Art That Sells (MATS): The Global Talent Search 2014 winners were announced and I look forward to observing how this unique opportunity changes their lives. MATS Parts A + B commenced yesterday and the excitement was palatable. Over 500 people from over 70 countries will be sharing their work, supporting one another and soaking up all the amazing info Lilla has to offer.
Make It In Design: New recruit Angela Kiely has been settling into her role as Make It In Design Manager, and is working on exciting plans for 2015. Our immediate attention is on preparing all the classrooms for the start of class on Monday (Module 1 and Module 2). I have recently been editing all the brand NEW videos in Module 2 and the insider info provided by Rachael is just amazing.
The FREE Make It In Design Summer School – for beginners, intermediate and advanced artists has been a hub of amazing energy over the summer. The work produced by thousands of participating designers has been fantastic. I am constantly amazed at the quality of work that is created. A look back from the Summer School will be on its way soon.
Bloom True: Things are hotting up creatively around here in October, Bloom True started on October 13. This radically inspiring course will helps you explore your own brave, intuitive self through painting, led by the brilliant Flora Bowley.
PaperLove: Our collaborator Rachel Hazell has been soaking up island inspiration in Scotland, preparing some bonus Christmas features for the upcoming PaperLove e-course (starts November 3), which means there will be five season-specific projects to fire you up for any festivities. We love Christmas. We love paper. We love PaperLove! (PS we have teamed up with Rachel to bring you a free mini-course ‘Seven Days of PaperLove’ – sign up here for free creative inspiration into your inbox every day)
Our thought for the month: Make time for what really matters
As you are aware our free ‘making time’ resource has been running throughout the month. Even though we have produced it we have found the daily prompts hugely beneficial in what has been a very hectic month. We are currently moving house, gearing up for several of our courses to commence and preparing our daughter to start nursery. It would have been very easy to get enveloped by everything that is going on around us. In fact at times we do. But we have found time each and every day to do something for ourselves.
There will always be hectic and busy times, but we are responsible for how we prioritise what we do. It is vitally important to make time for you, what is important to you and your loved ones. It doesn’t have to be hours on end. A well spent 10-15 minutes can go along way to satisfying the soul. Otherwise what is the point?
If you would like to benefit from our daily prompts please sign up for Making Time. It is completely FREE so you have nothing to lose.
Mr K
