This is my first blog post of the year 2013. Yes, I skipped 4 weeks and I have no excuse. I just didn't feel like blogging when I was facing so much angst, so much uncertainties and I guess my brain shut down completely in the midst of chaos. Life is not exactly getting better but I feel the need to catch up on my blogs even if no-one is reading. I have to be accountable to myself.

So Happy February! We are approaching the chinese new year of the snake and it's not too late to start / kick that habit of yours. I am constantly feeling overwhelmed by so much information coming in and being busy but unproductive. Maybe this is the underlying reason for my business which seems to never take off the way I wanted.

Instead of wishful thinking, I know there are things I need to do to get to where I want to be. So first off, I am declaring my year with the word PROGRESS. I need to put into action my thoughts and ideas and see tangible results for my seriousness and hard work. I'd need help with technology to get my business off the ground and make myself visible.

Checking my inbox and reading every single email is not work. I am spending far too much time reading others' work when I should be writing my own. I am minimising my subscription of newsletters and only the most relevant ones are allowed in. I have also limited my access to the internet for a couple of hours in the evenings. I'd never check my emails first thing as I am happier to indulge the better part of my day in my little studio corner, creating pretty things and experimenting with new techniques.

When I come across a challenge, instead of finding a quick fix which I usually do in the past, I let it simmer a bit and then dig deeper into my soul for a feasible solution, if that is necessary at all. Sometimes what we think is a challenge is not a challenge at all. They are opportunities in disguise if you take a few deep breaths and wait it out.

Busyness doesn't equate to being productive and / or doing great work. Checking off the to-do lists doesn't make me proud when I am losing my life to doing things which are mindless tasks and distractions which aren't really worth it. While I am changing my lifestyle to one of simplicity and minimalism, the benefits of doing less should not be overlooked. I prefer to focus on meaningful accomplishments to doing errands and whatnot. I will be less overwhelmed as I let go of the distractions and non-essentials. The world is not going to fall apart if you stop checking your inbox...Include only the things and experiences worthy of being in the finite time you have.

Most of the time I hate the end result of my artwork when I have to rush through it. It makes no sense to compete with time for anything worth doing. The same applies to reading, writing, meditating, cooking, and anything to do with creativity. Dedicate time and space and make sure you savor the task at hand.

Of course I am still learning the process of doing less and it takes time to figure out what gives you the most impact on your life, your career, your contribution to the world.