3 Steps to a Creative New Year

In the spirit of celebrating the coming New Year, I invite you to try this simple 3-step process to help set your intentions and spark a year of joyful creative living in 2015.

Grab some colored pens or pencils (I love writing with colorful felt-tip markers! ) and a blank piece of paper or, better yet, a beautiful journal you haven't been able to bring yourself to write in yet because you don't know where to start. Click here to download the prompts in printable form below if you'd like.

Ready? Let yourself answer the following questions quickly and intuitively without overthinking them. Your first answers are usually your best and most true.

#1 ~ Give Yourself Credit ~

~ What creative projects, pursuits and experiences did I enjoy most in 2014?
~ What helped give me permission to enjoy these creative experiences?
~ What worked well when it came to living a creative life last year?

#2 ~ Give Yourself Ideas ~

~ Which creative projects, pursuits and experiences would I like to continue in 2015?
~ Which new creative projects, pursuits and experiences would I love to explore in 2015?
~ What's one small way I can experience creative joy every day in the coming year?

#3 ~ Give Yourself Permission ~

~ Where can I find compassionate support to help me make time and space for my creativity? (Think friends, groups, classes, coaching, etc...)
~ How can I practicing giving myself permission to enjoy creative experiences more often?
~ What's one loving way I can allow myself to experience more creative joy than ever in the coming year?

Here's to living the creative life in 2015! May your year be filled with many wonderful Creative Oasis moments, laughter, love and light!

Jill

Warning! 10 Documented Side Effects of Creative Oasis Classes

I feel it's only fair to warn you that when you take a Creative Oasis class you're likely to experience some, if not all, of the side effects listed above. But don't take my word for it. You can click here to see what a few of my clients and colleagues have to say about their experiences.

If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, I invite you to join me for my upcoming 6-week  "Living the Creative Life" class. During our time together you'll:

~ Enjoy fun, low-pressure creative experiences

~ Learn and practice ways to live a more creatively fulfilling life

~ Move past blocks like procrastination and perfectionism

~ Get to know other wonderful creative loving women

~ Receive gentle accountability and compassionate support

~ Delight in using creativity to foster good self-care

~ Experience the energizing delight of discovering your own Creative Oasis

Sound good? Click here to quickly and easily register to save your place today. 

Class starts Wednesday, September 17, 2014 and meets weekly through October 22, 2014.

Choose the class that best fits your schedule: 

 Morning class meets from 10:30 to Noon

Pigment School of the Arts

4605 West Lovers Lane

Dallas, TX 75209

or 

Evening class meets 6:30 to 8pm

at Artistic Gatherings

9440 Garland Rd. #138

Dallas, TX 75218

$275 includes all creative materials

Class size limited to 8 and pre-registration is required.

Click here to register and save your place today.

If you have any questions, pop them into the comments section below and I'll get back with you ASAP! 

Until next time, all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,

Jill

www.creativeoasiscoaching.com

Video Invite for Fall 2014 Creative Oasis Class and Workshops

(Click above to watch my invitation to join Fall 2014 Creative Oasis Classes & Workshops.)

I have no doubt that you are busy, busy, busy!

I'm willing to bet that you have a to-do list a mile long.

I'm guessing dozens of people from family members to co-workers to friends demand your time and attention on a daily basis.

Am I right in assuming that you wish you had more time for yourself? 

More time for fun, interesting creative endeavors and experiences?

Here's the thing...time does fly! Quickly!

I just had a baby girl yesterday who started her freshmen year in high school this week! That's how quickly time flies. (Still doing my best to wrap my head around that one!)

So, if it feels difficult to take time for yourself, 

for enjoying creative pursuits for the pure fun of it, 

for trying new creative endeavors 

or simply exploring the possibilities just to see what's out there, 

why not take a moment to step back and ponder the sentiment below?

If a little voice in the back of your mind says 

"that sounds so good, but I can't because... (insert your excuse of choice here!)" I really hope you'll check out my 

Fall 2014 schedule of Creative Oasis classes and workshops 

and register for at least one that sounds good to you.

(Choose from in-person workshops and classes in Dallas and a teleclass & coaching via phone.) 

Because at the end of the day (and more importantly at the end of our lives) we'll remember the joyful experiences that make our hearts sing and time fly...not the millions of tasks we efficiently check off our to-do lists. 

I can pretty much guarantee that no one will starve and no major catastrophe will befall your household while you take a few hours for yourself to enjoy some fun, low-pressure creative play with me! (Click here to see all of your class options here.)

In fact, what the wonderful women (and men) who work and play with me prove time and again is when they give themselves permission to explore their Creative Oasis, they end up happier, healthier and even nicer in all areas of their lives. 

(Something all those people vying for your time and attention are sure to appreciate.)

Don't know what your Creative Oasis is? I can help you discover yours.

Know exactly what you want to do but feel stuck by procrastination, perfectionism and overwhelm? 

I'll share ways to move past those very common blocks (you're not alone!) and into a place where creative fun and fulfillment become a part of your life you enjoy on a regular basis. Like flossing, but way more fun.

Have questions about which class or workshop or coaching package might be the best fit for you? Drop me a line atcreativeoasiscoach@me.com and I'll get back to you asap to discuss!

Asked for Two Cents & Received Gold

photo by Elle Parks

This past weekend I posted a simple request on my Creative Oasis Coaching facebook page asking my former and present clients to share their two cents about Creative Oasis Coaching and what it has meant to them.

"If you've ever taken one of my classes, workshops, retreats, have been coached by me or gone on a Day Trippers outing, can you share one word to describe it? Thanks so much!"

The response was overwhelming, heartwarming and tickling – as in it tickled me pink. I know sometimes people have a little trouble understanding what it is that I do exactly as a creativity coach, a certified Master Kaizen-Muse® Creativity Coach to be precise. And even when I tell them that I help people make the time and space in their busy lives to enjoy creative fulfillment, they may still be left scratching their heads. So I'm thrilled to have this feedback to share. Perhaps it will help round out the picture of what Creative Oasis Coaching has to offer and how it touches the lives of those who choose to join me.

"Jill is an outstanding teacher. More than that.... she is a leader who has this wonderful way of bringing you back to yourself. Whatever it is you are thinking about taking don't hesitate. Sign up. Not only did I get tons of new ideas and information in her class, I also made new friends... kindred spirits. Run, leap, scamper, skurry, charge forward and sign up. You will not regret it. Sorry. I couldn't think of one word.... Ok FUN!!!" - Margaret Wolf, photographer

"nurturing" – Donna Wallace

"You are in for a delightfully insightful and enriching experience to be coached by Jill. Go for it!" – Twyla Smith

"Brain twisting, in the best way!! : ))" Rosemary Cingari

"The first word that came to mind was nourishing, so even though I'm half asleep I'm going with it - Nourishment for the artistic soul :)" - Polly Simon

"life-changing. does a hyphenated word count?" – Dawn McMullan

"Stimulating...motivating...Incredibly fun! (one word won't do!)" – Sherry Houpt

"illuminating... Hope you have an incredibly, stimulating, motivating, fun and illuminating day! ;)" – Linda Bourgault 

So there you have it. I asked for their two cents and got gold instead! I love the words they chose, the sentiments and the women themselves. That's another wonderful bonus of attending Creative Oasis classes and workshops – meeting wonderful, inspiring, talented women like these!

Thanks so much to everyone who shared. I look forward to the next time we're together in the same creative oasis!

If you're interested in checking out the workshops and classes I'm offering in Dallas this fall click here for all the information and registration links. If you'd like to receive my monthly Creative Oasis Pages to keep up with all the creative fun we're having just send me a quick email at creativeoasiscoach@me.com and I'll be happy to bring you into the loop!

Until next time all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,
Jill