Happy Friday!

In my previous post, I shared my new approach to publishing, one that I stole from the Foster Collective's new media strategy. I struggled to hit the send button because I was unsure how it would be received. Thoughts such as "what if my readers don't like it and they unsubscribe en masse?" were swirling in my head. This happens more often than I would like to admit, but today's first gem addresses this exact situation.

So let’s get to the gems, and please let me know if any of these gems resonate with you. ✌🏽

Today's Gems

💎 Don't think about doing it; just do it!

“Don’t think about making art – just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love or hate it. While they are deciding, make more art.”

– Andy Warhol

Too often, we worry, overthink, and get anxious about things that are simply out of our control. I can't control how people receive my ideas, whether they like them or not, but what I do have control over is my writing. I can keep writing my ideas and not let the worry stop me. I can hit the publish button and move on instead of overthinking it. I was relieved that the idea resonated with a few friends.

So the next time you start overthinking about how others will receive your idea, writing, art, creation, stop the thought and do it anyways. Our job is to do the work and not worry about how it is received. Our job is to be true to our creative self, our creative expression.

So keep creating and doing what you need to do.

You do you!

Source: London Writers Salon

💎 Practice brain breaks throughout the day

Distraction is a constant battle. I have a bad habit of getting on my phone to check the news, stocks, email, anything but the task at hand. In her latest book Peak Mind, neuroscientist Amishi Jha provides shares techniques to help us geet our attention and focus back.

Jha suggests the STOP method, a short practice we can do multiple times a day as a way to check in with our attention and especially when we lose our focus.

The STOP method

🔴 S = stop what you are doing
💨 T = take a breath
👀 O = observe what is happening within you and around you
🟢 P = proceed

As Jha explains, "This brain break allows you to return to the present with the flashlight of your focus right here with you, so you can direct it where you need it."

We will get distracted, but the key is to bring our attention back mindfully and focus on the present moment and on activities that are important for us.

Becoming mindful of our attention has the power to benefit our performance, leadership, and well-being

Source: Inc.com

💎 Getting paid to draw with Mike Lowery

I'm a big fan of Mike Lowery, who is an amazing childrens book illustrator and sketchbook artist. The simplicity of his drawings inspires me to sketch daily. Mike has published an online course to help anyone thinking of starting a daily sketching practice (which I believe everyone should do), or building an online portfolio from scratch. To promote this course, he is also offering a free book called Instagram for Illustrators.

You will need to sign up for it, but it is worth it. In the book, Mike shares some great advice on how to start a daily practice while keeping Instagram from sucking all your free time, something I know I struggle with.

Let me know if you decide to start a daily practice. I would love to follow along.

Source: Getting Paid To Draw

💬 Which gem resonated with you the most?

Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic weekend.

Cheers,
Rizwan