30 Days of Intention – Half-Way Update

I’m about half-way through my so-called “30 Days of Intention,” and I wanted to give you a quick update. After feeling as though I was landing in a bit of a rut over the past couple of months, I wanted to find ways to jump start my creativity and fight the urge to “work for work sake” as Tim Ferris warns. I had a number of areas that I wanted to focus on, and here’s what I’ve been up to…

Creative Focus

1. 8TRACKstudios
   My work significantly slowed down in March and early April. Last week, two HUGE jobs finally landed…both of which I have been coaxing along for months and months. Since my work for clients is my top priority, this has taken the majority of my time in the 2nd week of my “30 Days.” In fact…last week, I spent 12 hours in 3 separate meetings with one of those clients. So thankful for the opportunity to serve wonderful clients. (Yet, it has prevented my momentum on other projects.)
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2. Health
   Over the past two weeks, I’ve virtually eliminated all bread, pasta, rice, cheese, butter, and sugary sweets…and I’ve lost 8 pounds. I caught a cold 10 days ago, and it has really SLOWED ME DOWN…even put me on the couch for an entire day. Since I get sick once every two years, I guess I can handle it. Unfortunately, my sickness has depleted my desire to work out…but that will change in week 3.
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3. Writing
   I’ve lack motivation to write in the midst of my sickness, but I pushed through and started a NEW BOOK filled with over 200 photos from our last trip to India as well as an essay entitled “Awaken My Life.” Due to my cold and two big 8TRACKstudios projects, I’m not going to be able to finish one book during this 30 day period, but I will finish this one.
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4. Filming
   I haven’t started filming my first DVD to accompany “Life Launch”, but I think I’ll be able to get started in week 4 of my “30 Days.”

Creative Concentrations

1. Painting
   I haven’t invested any time yet…lowest priority.
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2. Typewriting
   I’ve typewritten about eight notes, and some of them were included with books that I gave to several clients as gifts.
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3. Flower arranging
   I searched for a flower arranging class, but they were either too long, wrong time, or too much money. Then, I realized that I don’t even like arranged flowers that much. I LOVE flowers – primarily “arranged” in a single type of flower. Most classes focus on all sorts of arrangements…which I’m not interested in. So, I decided to spend the time and money I would have invested in a class on just buying the flowers themselves…and arranging them how I like. I also purchased quite a few succulents and arranged them in several vintage bowls that look quite amazing if I do say so myself.
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4. Photographing
   Although I’m almost done with a book featuring over 200 photos from India, I haven’t set out on a separate photo shoot for another book quite yet. I did enjoy a portrait photo shoot with a mother and son yesterday at CSULB…great time.

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Creative Re-creation

1. Family Time
   Family time has been great…as usual.
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2. Meditation
   Meditation has been minimal.
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3. Art Galleries
   I plan to check out the “Rooms” installation in Culver City in the next 2 weeks.
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4. Independent Stores
   During week one, I enjoyed a trip to Echo Park to check out some killer shops…landed my new favorite pair of shorts crafted from vintage men’s dress pants. And, yesterday, I had a great time at an antique store where I scored three vintage, egg-shaped bowls, a huge set of Viewmaster wheels and a 1960′s Viewmaster, and a beautiful white vintage phone.

So, that’s about it. Two huge 8TRACKstudios projects and a gnarly cold have been my focus…and I guess that’s a good thing…serving clients and taking care of my health. I will say that I’ve bounced out of my “work for work sake” rut though…I feel an internal freedom that I had lost for a few months. It’s feeling great!