May 2016 be filled with many blessings, bright laughter, and glowing creativity.
From my heart to yours, Karina
Want to create something awesome together in 2016? Give that button a click!
ConverSketch Challenge: What's Your Vision for Success in 2016?
Hello ConverSketchers!
This is my last email to you beautiful people…for 2015. This year has been beyond what I imagined and I want to take a moment to appreciate each of you for your support, for pushing your drawing comfort zone and giving one of these doodles a try, and for your big hearts and kind words. ConverSketch would not be what it is without this amazing community and the work you’re each doing to make the world a better place. Cheers to you!
2015 has been a big year for ConverSketch for a number of reasons...
- It's my first full calendar year being 100% self-employed as a graphic recorder
- I got to graphic record en espanol for the first time in Mexico
- 2015 has been the most abundant year yet for ConverSketch financially...
- ...And partially because of that, Spencer and I were able to buy a house with a sweet office space!
- And, quite importantly, ConverSketch now has a full-time Muse (read: fuzzy, pencil-chewing, typ99999999999999e enhancing snuggle buddy).
One of the ways I love to ring in a new year is a family tradition we always did as far back as I can remember: Creating a Vision Board for the coming year.
In my experience, things that I focus my energy on tend to be drawn to me. So why not DRAW what you want?! As 2016 approaches, I challenge you to take a few minutes or a few hours by yourself or with loved ones, to think about what you want to create for yourself in 2016, and make a Vision Board.
Here are some tips to get you started:
You may be thinking "Karina, I can barely draw those little squiggle people". My family always used what I fondly call mixed media -- magazine photos, drawings and labels, text hand written or snipped from an old magazine...Anything you can find. So use whatever media is most appealing to you...maybe it will even get 3D!
"How big should I make it?" We used all sorts of sizes, it doesn't really matter as long as you can see and read your ideas when you look back on them throughout the year. Anything from a notebook sheet of paper to a 2x3 foot piece of poster board works!
"What should I do with it afterwards?" I always enjoy hanging it in a place I get to see regularly so I can be reminded of my goals, a trip to a beautiful place I want to take, or feel relaxed by nice words or pictures I've put on it. Again, for me having a gentle reminder to focus my thoughts and energy on positive goals is fun and helpful.
"Vision Board, huh? Seems a little woo woo." If a Vision Board isn't your thing, that's cool. If you enjoy setting New Years Resolutions or Goals, try writing them on a nice piece of paper and give them a couple doodles to spice it up and make you smile. Hang it some place visible as a reminder to stick to your goals throughout the year.
***One of the most integral parts of a Vision Board for me is having fun and not being hung up on exactly how things will work out. I use it as a time to focus my goals and energy, then trust that it will unfold exactly how it's supposed to.***
(Hint: click on the image below to see the larger version)
Do you have a New Year's tradition to visualize the next revolution around the sun? Have you had an idea from a New Year's goal or vision manifest itself unexpectedly? Share it with us in the comments below! I'll be posting my Vision Board in the next email and would love to see yours too.
UPDATE: Here's my 2016 Personal Vision Board! It's about 9x12 inches and I hung it on the wall by my desk where I can see it every day.
If you liked this tip, please sign up for my emails and if you'd like, I'd be so grateful if you shared it with someone who might enjoy this 2016 Vision Board Challenge!
Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.
May your Holidays be filled with love, laughter, joy, warmth and blessings.
From my heart to yours, Karina
If you've put something along the lines of "My team is productive, collaborative, and completely out of this world awesome in 2016" on your Vision Board, click that big ol' button below to chat with me about how I can help make it a reality!
Where in the World is ConverSketch?
I've been busy working on a few projects in Fort Collins, and you have been busy too! You're Doodling All-Stars! Here are a few awesome drawings I've gotten from readers and ConverSketchers over the past few weeks. Have a doodle you'd like to share? Send it my way and I'll show it off in the email!
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Remember...
Hello folks!
This time of year many of us are focused on the upcoming holiday season, whether we like it or not (Black Friday anyone? Here's what Spencer and I were up to.). This time of year is also a wonderful opportunity to remember what's most important in life. For me, that's doing things I love (hooray visual facilitation!) and spending time with important people in my life to show them I love them.
But let's also be honest: I really enjoy giving and receiving gifts too, despite my desire to avoid obsessing over material objects. It's really fun to see someone's face light up with surprise, or to unwrap a gift from someone special.
So I'm not going to get preachy about shopping, instead I'm going to share an idea inspired by our peachy new kitten, Moxie. (Note: I, Karina Carty Mullen Branson, hereby swear not to make every newsletter about the cat. Maybe just a few of them.)
Moxie loves to play. She'll play with just about anything, and although there are feather toys and catnip mice to frolic after, Moxie enjoys chasing a ball made of crumpled foil or exploring a paper bag just as much.
I'm sure you can see what I'm getting at with that little snippet -- fancy things do not always equal happiness. So during this Most Wonderful Time of the Year, I encourage you to think about what is really important for you, and set time aside for it. Maybe it's a simple hand-made card for someone special, or a voucher for a picnic with your sweetie, or a few photographs printed for your friends to put on the fridge. And, maybe get them that special something they've been hoping for all year too. Figure out how you want to show your appreciation, then go for it!
Now, here's my take on doodling some presents...because even if it's a voucher for time together, there's nothing quite like opening a package just for you:
(Hint: click on the image below to see the larger version below)
What goes well with giving quality time? Appreciation! Click here for a post I wrote on the attitude of gratitude at home and in work. They're even better together than wine an chocolate...although appreciating those things with a friend really creates a win-win here.
Now I want to hear from you!
What's the best non-material gift you've ever given or received? What inspired you about it?
Come on over to the blog and upload your story and Sketch in the comments section to share your unique style and inspire the community! And of course, any questions, epiphanies, and requests for future ConverSKETCHes!
If you liked this tip, please sign up for my emails and if you'd like, share this with people you know who give great gifts!
Thanks for tuning in! Keep drawing and making your beautiful, authentic mark on this world!
Cheers, Karina
Want make the most of your time with your team? Get in touch with me to talk about how graphic facilitation boost productivity, understanding and action after an event.
Where in the World is ConverSketch?
The newest ConverSketch video is out now! The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is not an ordinary place, and so, of course its' Annual Report should be anything but ordinary as well! In this short hand-drawn video, find out what the Museum offers, how it's growing, and who helps support this incredible community resource. Head over to the Explainer Video page to see the full thing!