Carving Time

Karen felt most alive in front of a canvas, and she aspired to paint art that people would cherish for years. Often, one of her paintings delighted a client with its color, image and meaning in a way that totally transformed the character of their space. She imagined sales from her artwork would supplement her retirement income. There was only one problem. Her high-powered corporate position consumed her time. She worked long hours, and by the weekend she had little energy for more than household chores, precious time with her husband and visits with her grandchildren. Like many, the vision Karen once cherished faded over time. Instead of the joy she once felt looking at her art studio through her kitchen window, she felt guilt and frustration because she spent so little time there.

Karen, not her real name, is similar to many of my clients. She’s successful and talented, but her dream was on hold. She wondered if she’d ever have time to pursue her art.

We started our work together by clarifying her vision, including what it feels like to paint and actively create art. I introduced a powerful idea - “what you say ‘yes’ to determines what you say ‘no’ to.” Her homework was to notice what increased joy in her day-to-day living and what depleted it. She became more aware of the details in her life. Initially, it was difficult to say “no.”

I helped her consider tasks she could delegate. She became more patient and allowed her direct reports to make mistakes – on the way to learning. She began to include them in problem solving. She catalyzed the executive team to handle deadlines more creatively and more effectively.

Having a coach to ask questions, discuss ideas and provide accountability supported her to change long time patterns. She became skillful in saying “no”, regained control over her time and had more energy.

For the first time in years, Karen began to consistently generate small pieces of art. Initially, she’d create a sketch or a simple watercolor. Delighted by how it felt, she made it a weekly habit. Soon one of her pieces was selected for a public art display, and her enthusiasm made it easier to set time aside to paint. As her perspective shifted, she realized two things. First, it was okay to claim time for what she loved; and secondly, painting added value to her family. As her coach, I’m delighted by her success and that she accomplished in a little over six months what she’d longed to do for nearly a decade.

Carve Away

Another artist, Gutzon Borglum, famous for his design of Mt Rushmore, carved the bust of Lincoln. His cleaning woman wondered what the artist was working on. As a head emerged from the stone, she knew it was a human figure. Later, she recognized the face and asked Borglum, “How did you know Mr. Lincoln was in there?” He responded, “I just cut away everything that wasn't Lincoln.”

Each of us already fills 24-hours a day, so carving off the pieces that don’t match our vision is important. We develop clarity, prioritization and take consistent action toward our vision. In time, we experience the changes we long for. The art of remaining enthusiastic and building momentum toward your vision is often a matter of subtraction rather than addition.

#homeessentials