Controlling Overwhelm in a Creative Business

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Starting a business is amazing and can be life-changing. But for many of us, it can also create what I call The Overwhelm. Let’s talk about controlling overwhelm in a creative business and the three types of overwhelm I see the most. This post contains some affiliate links for your crafting convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

When you start your business, you’re excited and full of energy and enthusiasm! But then…you need to sell and keep up with everything and we tend to get overwhelmed by ‘all the things’.

Lack of Focus

Creatives tend to lack direction. Do you ever feel like this? I need to make things, do social media, I need new ribbon, I need to go shopping, I need to blog about this, but I don’t have a blog, wait I need a website, and what the heck is email.

God wired our brains to have so many huge great ideas!

This same gift that God gives us with lots of ideas, we tend to carry over to our businesses and we don’t have direction.

We need a path, something to reign in all the ideas, and tell us to start here. Then do this, then do this next.

When we learn of all the marketing we need to do in our business (social media, email, website, blogs, ads, info products, memberships, etc.) we tend to shut down and do nothing.

We lack focus. Instead, we need to focus on one thing at a time. Just like a magnifying glass starting a fire. No momentum without clear focus methodical steps for growing.

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Lack of Inspiration

Creatives tend to lack inspiration. They get stuck making the same things over and over doing the same thing over and over and they don’t know —

There could be an easier way,
There could be a different way,
They could just take what they’re doing already and spin it to where it works better for them.

This is why women still wear blue eyeshadow! Ha!

For example, let’s talk about my wreath of the month club. I was already making wreaths for my Etsy shop, but I never in a million years thought I could also make these same wreaths in front of an audience teaching what I know and have a different way of helping others, serving others, AND bringing in money for my family!

It took my business coach and mentor Jennifer Allwood to say…wait a minute…how about doing it this way.  You see, when we’re so close to our business, sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees.

No Boundaries

When most creatives start out they are also working a 9-5 job, they come home tired, have to take care of the kids, figure out dinner, do a load of laundry, pack lunches for tomorrow, clean up the dishes, walk the dogs, etc. Does that sound like you?

By the time they have finished mommin’, THEN they can work on business stuff. If this is you now, I am praying a special prayer over you and just know, it will work out for you but you have to set boundaries.

What hours will you work? What hours will you be a mom? If you have to do mom stuff after you get home, tell the family when you won’t be available because you have a dream to follow.

When I work, I do nothing mom or wife-related. I don’t text, make phone calls, and no flipping laundry! My hours of business are set in stone to everyone who knows me.

No PTA, no field trips, no volunteering, just shut it all out and focus on your business!

But when I am on mom duty, I’m all in. No phone, no checking Facebook, no seeing what sold and what didn’t, no email. Period.

AND at the end of the day, you have to give yourself some grace. We will never be able to do it all perfectly. That’s okay!  So get used to messy houses, eating leftovers more frequently, and sacrificing that perfect yard (if gardening is your thing).

It’s amazing when you get clarity and momentum, sales for your creative business just happen.

If you’re ready to grow and take control of your creative business, Jennifer has a Creators Roadmap course that has helped me tremendously and I know it will help you in your online business too.

Tips for Controlling Overwhelm in Your Creative Business Video

Remember – focus, set boundaries and give yourself some grace. You can do this! If I can ANYONE can!

XOXO,

Julie

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:

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