“Perhaps, it is just as well to be rash and foolish for a while. If writers were too wise, perhaps no books would get written at all. It might be better to ask yourself ‘Why?’ afterward than before. Anyway, the force from somewhere in Space which commands you to write in the first place, gives you no choice. You take up the pen when you are told, and write what is commanded. There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you.”

A few months ago, a friend invited me to join at women’s fitness challenge group she was forming.

Participating has radically changed my yoga practice  (In addition to getting me more in shape and encouraging me to do even more cardio.)

I have been practicing yoga for 27 years now.

I’ve had dozens of amazing teachers over the years. I’ve gone through periods when I went to 3- 5 classes a week and periods when I’ve just practiced on my own.

I’ve had times when I stepped away from it temporarily.

But mostly, I’ve practiced daily for all these years.

But I need to admit something to you.

There are poses I just have not really progressed in.

I can do a mean triangle pose but I’ve never been able to do a full vrischikasana (scorpion) without assistance:

or bacasana (crow pose):

I just haven’t built the upper body strength.

So that has been a big part of my commitment with the fitness challenge – to work on my upper body strength.

And I have. I’ve been doing poses all on my own that I shied away from. And it’s all due to the support of this wonderful group of women.

I am so grateful to them.

So what does this have to do with you? And with your art?

Is there an area of your art life and career where you haven’t been challenging yourself?

Have you been coasting? Staying with what’s familiar or easy?

I heartily recommend gathering a group of like-minded individuals around you. You’ll be amazed at how motivating it is.

Some people call this a Mastermind – a group in which the power and intelligence and motivation of the group far exceeds that of each individual.

That’s why I always build a group forum into the Mindful Artist Mentorship Program. I have experienced first-hand what an enormous difference this makes and now I wouldn’t want to be without it.

When you are discouraged or needed advice, you have the group to turn to.

You cheer each other on during trying times.

You celebrate victories!

You encourage each other to stretch for excellence.

You will also help each other to recognize when your goals are unrealistic or when you are being too hard on yourself.

Here are six steps to create a similar group to turn your dreams into achievable goals:

 

1. Select the people you invite carefully. Make sure you find some folks who are equally committed. People who aren’t committed and don’t participate can drag the energy of the group down. People who are committed and enthusiastic lift the level of participation and energy in the group to a remarkable degree and really make it work.

2. Set a time specific time frame for when the group will start and end. This way people can jump in and fully commit even when they are very busy. They know it’s not a forever commitment but chances are many will want to continue.

3. Set manageable goals and make your commitments to each other. I realized my first set of goals was unrealistic after reading everyone else’s and I ratcheted it back a notch or two. (By the way it feels much better to exceed your goals then to not meet them.) and feeling good about yourself is self perpetuating it makes you even more motivated to achieve.

4. Designate a day for a weekly check-in via email. I actually don’t recommend trying to meet in person unless you all have oodles of time and live close to each other.

5. Create a simple form of questions for your weekly check in. – I’ll share our fitness form here for an example: 

• Name:
• Week #__ of 12:
• Did I reach my goal?
• How did the week feel/ how did it go?Any changes I would like to implement?

6. Have a simple way to connect between your weekly check-ins– a facebook group is free and works really well for this.

 

Have you ever experienced the power of a group to propel you forward? Share in the comments section below.