If you are like many creative business owners you probably spend a great deal of time tending to your business. Then there is the family, the day job, the house and all of the other demands you deal with while trying to run and improve your business.
All of that running, going and doing can take its’ toll on your health, outlook and creativity. Eventually you may get to a place where you don’t feel as excited about your business as you once did. You may have difficulty working on pieces in progress or coming up with new design ideas for future lines.
But what is a tired creative business owner to do?
I have found that taking a time out from the regular routine is a great help in getting my creative mojo back. Fall and Spring seem to be the big seasons for creative retreats. Art, jewelry, polymer clay, and many other niche creative get-togethers. With fall just around the corner why not think about finding a retreat you can attend to give your creativity a boost?
Please don’t feel that you need to attend a knitting or crochet retreat if you make knitted or crochet goods (just an example). Try attending a mixed media retreat or a fiber arts retreat in stead. You may find that the tools, skills and techniques used at the retreat can be crossed over into your own creative skill set to create an exciting new hybrid that will amp up your creative energy like nothing else. Attending retreats outside your niche is great if you live in an area where retreats are more scarce or you want to attend something close to home as opposed to flying across the country.
Another great benefit of attending retreats is making new friends. Finding like minded people who are creative and possibly own their own business is a great way to build a support group you can turn to when business, or your creativity, needs a little boost. Make sure to take plenty of business cards to the retreat and keep in touch with the wonderful people you will meet. You never know when YOU may be able to help one of them get over a bump in their creativity.
Be sure to read all material related to the retreat so you can pack as needed. Go with an open mind and an attitude of wanting to learn. Be sure to find some time to sit alone or some solitary work so that you can return home refreshed and ready to tackle the daily chores once again.
By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess
Have you ever attended a creative retreat?
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