A Mighty Practice

How do you step away from a project you're really invested in? For many of us this can feel impossible. But when you're on the "production hamster-wheel" for too long you can lose sight of what you want FOR your work and FROM your work. What do you want your work to give the world? What do you want your work to give YOU? In this episode I'll talk about how to create an exit strategy that helps you step away from a big project that you care about. I'll use my own Mat Leave (I'm having a kid!) and stepping away from AMP for the summer as an example. I'll share some lessons I've learned over the last three months of prep. ++++ If you want to keep hearing podcast episodes like this join our SCHOOL! Snag 1-year of our workshop membership for a discounted price here.

Things are moving "back to normal"-- but what exactly does that mean? What do you want your post-pandemic creative life to look like? We'll look at the things that helped you thrive creatively this year and the things that taxed you through a concept called the "Creative Bank." How do you want to integrate these learnings to design your year ahead? Sign up for our Artist Speed Dating, community-building event on June 6th, 2021 I mention this book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Check it out.

How do we take a pause in our creative practices and experience true creative rest? In this episode I'll talk about my definition of creative rest and how to integrate it into your life. I'll talk about 3 different creative modes (Synthesizing, Producing, and Solving) that we slip into that make resting/re-fueling difficult, and how we can take an intentional break from doing them.  For upcoming events at A Mighty Practice School: https://www.amightypractice.com/workshop-membership

Today on the podcast we have BETH PICKENS, the author of Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles (Chronicle Books, 2021). Beth is a Los Angeles-based consultant for artists and arts organizations. She earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri. Since 2010, she has provided career consultation, grant writing, fundraising, and financial, project, and strategic planning services for artists and arts organizations throughout the U.S. She team-teaches an entrepreneurship course at the California Institute of the Arts School of Theater and teaches workshops at universities, companies, and art spaces throughout the country. In this episode we talk about a range of things that impact artists: the inner critic, isolation, time, money, social media, and that big looming question - Should I keep going?  Listen in if you need a little creative pep talk from Beth. You can purchase Beth's new book here: https://beth-pickens.chroniclebooks.com/ You can find out more about her work here: https://www.bethpickens.com/

Where you work, whether it be in a studio or a sketchbook, is an important part of any creative practice. In this episode I'll talk about how to take the space available to you and create a work environment that enables your practice. I'll share all the WEIRD studio spaces I've had over the years, and how I've made these unconventional spaces (garages! laundry rooms! basements!) meet my needs. Check out some images of my past studios on the A Mighty Practice blog: www.amightypractice.com/blog/making-your-workspace-work-for-you Join our workshop membership for the upcoming Artist Talk / Real Talk event here!: www.amightypractice.com/workshop-membership

What happens when we deny our creative impulses over and over again? When we don't let the work that wants to come through us, come through us? What are the consequences? In this episode I'll talk about what creative impulses are, what they can teach us, why we deny them, and how to start listening to them again.  I reference this great episode of the podcast: This Jungian Life, 120. Creativity: Drawing from the Inner Well. Come to our March 21st, coaching program information session! Sign up here!

In this episode I'll share student stories around the inner critic through one of our school's live coaching calls! During our school-wide coaching calls members review workshop content and get help with their roadblocks. On this call we'll hear from a few students who are struggling with perfectionism. You'll hear my practical advice on how to overcome this tricky roadblock with a sense of patience and purpose. Our spring 12-week coaching program  is opening soon! Get the early bird rate + learn when enrollment opens by signing up here: https://www.amightypractice.com/coaching

How do you start making things when you feel super blocked? How do you move from the idea phase (being in your head) to the action stage (expressing your ideas out in the world). The movement from ideas to action is what I call the "Play" stage. In this episode I'll talk about what the play stage is, what your play stage can look like, and how you know when your play stage is over and you're ready for what's next.  +++ Our coaching program's next session is in April, sign-up for the early bird rate here: https://www.amightypractice.com/coaching Want to give feedback or ask a question? I'd love to hear from you! https://www.amightypractice.com/feedback

This podcast explores the concept of being a 'real' artist. It challenges traditional definitions of a 'real' artist and encourages listeners to redefine their own terms. The episode emphasizes the mindset and characteristics of artists and concludes with a reminder to share the podcast and information about a school for artists at MITPRACTICE.COM.

It's January, and if you don't feel pumped about starting up the year, you're not alone! In this episode I'm going to talk about how to approach your year as happening within creative seasons. We'll talk about why artists benefit from setting priorities seasonally vs. yearly, and 4 questions to ask yourself to help identify the season you're in.   Flash Sale for Podcast Listeners! I'm offering a 48 hour flash sale just for Podcast listeners of our Workshop Membership. Join for 1 year for $299 by going to www.amightypractice.com/podcastfan. Offer ends Sunday, Jan 17th at 12pm Central time.