A behind-the-scenes look into Peaceful Productivity & Creative Problemsolving
In this week’s edition of the Peaceful Productivity Letter, unlock the secrets of productivity with a behind-the-scenes look at the transformative power of prep work, a mindset shift toward authentic fulfilment, and the creative tool that turned business challenges into clarity.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Prep Work
A few weeks ago, I embarked on a venture to record 13 videos within only 1.5 hours and wanted to share a glimpse into my process:
Plotting the Course:
I dedicated a day to strategically deciding on the content I intended to create. This involved conceptualising the five videos for my brand-new Mindful Entrepreneur Mini Course, along with crafting content for Peaceful Productivity and the VA agency. I brainstormed compelling headlines, researched keywords, and outlined some content bullet points.
Formulating the Script:
I took another day translating those ideas into various video scripts. I wrote out the content and made necessary updates to workbooks and collateral that would accompany the videos.
Setting the Stage:
Anticipating the recording day, I packed my equipment, planned what I’d wear the night before, and even indulged in a bit of excitement by putting on some makeup and choosing a nice outfit—an uncommon occurrence for a work-from-home mum.
Lights, Camera, Action:
I headed to a coworking space, set up my equipment, and pressed record. The result? A smooth, efficient session with an impressive output—all thanks to the groundwork laid through thorough preparation.
Here’s the valuable lesson: Never underestimate the power of prep work. Whether you’re embarking on a creative project, a work presentation, or any task that demands your focus, the groundwork you lay in advance can significantly enhance your outcomes.
Rediscover Your North Star
In the pursuit of productivity, we often operate with external benchmarks and societal expectations in mind (I’ve got a video dedicated to unpicking this inside my new Mindful Entrepreneur Mini Course).
The true compass for fulfilment lies within you!
Instead of doing what others expect, embrace being true to yourself. Real success is not just about others approving; it’s about staying connected to who you really are. When you follow your values like a guide, productivity isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about expressing your deepest goals in a balanced way.
Creative Problem-Solving
Recently I had a delightful encounter which let me discover the unique art therapy technique of bridge drawing – a transformative process that involves visually representing your current situation, and the desired goal, and brainstorming the bridge between them for creative problem-solving.
During a community call, I had the pleasure of meeting Jodi Rose Gonzales, who was in need of a VA to help her with some technical challenges for her upcoming webinar. As a fellow enthusiast of creativity and art, I couldn’t resist tuning in to her webinar, and I loved it from start to finish.
Jodi shared some profound insights about the power of art, bringing about clarity and calm through creative activities. Her perspective truly struck a chord with me, and I felt an immediate connection.
Dealing with the rapid growth of my Virtual Assistance agency and staffing challenges left me feeling overwhelmed. Having to turn down projects due to limited capacity was disheartening. After a week of pushing through urgent projects amidst school closures, I found myself fatigued, mentally foggy, and unmotivated to address my business problems.
Inspired by the bridge drawing, I decided to create my own. Surprisingly, just a day later, I found clarity. I felt hopeful and determined to invest in my own support. Despite already working with other VAs, I courageously decided to look into hiring an intern through a local scheme, providing dedicated support to me (not my clients). This will allow me to focus on creating the envisioned business and stepping into the role of the CEO my business needs.