A hot topic of conversation that is coming up with creative people that I’m talking to right now is – feeling a sense of burnt out. It appears there is so much personal energy spent outputting – reacting to opportunities that come up, saying yes to things because they sound great or need to be done – and it feels like life is a constant ‘reaction’ or ‘response’ to these things.

There also appears to be a lack of energy to even pull-together personal power and individual resources to create a clear sense of vision and purpose around what’s next in this new world that’s being created.

So what is next for these creatives? They know that they’ve got something uniquely beautiful to be able to connect with and to connect with other people around? But what’s next?

Whatever is next for them, I know that many are struggling to get clear enough to see what that is because they are so thinned out after siphoning off all their energy from doing things, that perhaps they’re not even sure about what their purpose is.

For some of the creative people that I mentor, we’ve been working together to get crystal clear on what their values are and understanding their firm foundations upon which they can build and grow everything – their creativity, their business, their wealth, their success, themselves.

And in those sessions, when I ask them about their values – the very criteria upon which people make decisions – they respond with a list of things that they never actually chose. They are listing values that were perhaps ‘bestowed upon them’ by others, society, family, school. They don’t realize that they’ve unconsciously been choosing not-their-own-values their whole lives!!

I’d love to invite you to take a moment to reflect on what the values are upon which you stand? What are the values upon which you take action from? And what are the values upon which you create purpose and vision for what you’re here to do?

There is a new world being created and you can be a co-creator.

A new world where you can choose what you put your energy and resources into and where you can have an impact upon others in a meaningful, long-lasting way. A world where you can be more for yourself and others coming from a place of wholeness and choice (not disempowerment).

If you are feeling burnt out, I highly recommend taking time out – a mini-retreat if you will – to reconnect to your values so you can be a more effective leader in your own life.

Yes, leading your own life.

How would it feel to have you back in your own life?

We are so often putting other people and projects first that perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve actually taken some time to really feel into who it is that you actually are (and I mean in this moment, right now, not 10 years ago, 1 year ago or even last week, who are you right now?) and what it is you are here to do.

This is exactly what I did for myself on my mini-retreat two weeks ago on a beautiful tropical paradise called Hamilton Island, in the Coral Sea. And these are some the questions I asked myself, and some of the questions you can ask yourself on your mini-retreat:

  • What do I value? What are my values?
  • How have you made choices around the things that are in your life? Have you consciously chosen them, have you been reacting, responding, putting out fires, living in autopilot mode?
  • What is the criteria around which you choose things? Does this align with your values? Does it align with your purpose? Does it align with your bigger picture vision?
  • Do you know what your purpose and vision is? Would you like to be more purposeful?

Even the simple exercise of getting clear on your values, for many people I’ve worked with, have given them a sense of clarity and helped bring to light their purpose. Then practically, we do something with that insight, whether that’s in their creativity or creative business which can then create a meaningful and unique impact in the world.

I want to share with you the impact that doing this work has made on the life of one of the people that I mentor.

This is life-changing

“Through Francesca’s tutelage and guidance, I have found out so much about myself and grown beyond my wildest dreams. I have always hungered for more from myself, to learn more about myself, and really stretch myself further and further as I grow. With Francesca’s kind and nurturing spirit, I am now on a journey that pales into insignificance compared to what I thought myself capable of.

My business is beginning to grow as I grow, my career is on an amazing new trajectory, and I face the future knowing that I will succeed in all that I do and set out to accomplish. I yearn to discover more about my new life and to continue to grow, empowering myself and now empowering others to do the same.” – Simon

If this is a space you’ve never explored before, then I invite you to take a look at doing that – to be purposefully choosing what your life includes and doesn’t include – being the leader in your own lives.

Moving forward in this new world is about creating a clear sense of purpose to bring to life your vision.

For those of you who know that you want to move forward and take action from a place of wholeness, a clear sense of values and purpose and clarity on how you can have impact in the lives of others, and you want some support and clarity around how you can bring that forth into the world and birth something exciting, please reach out. Email me, say hi, let me know more about how this feels for you. I’m truly enjoying these conversations and I’m making time for more.

I want to take a moment to thank you for reading, replying, sending messages, and staying in-community. This is a beautiful, strong, powerful, empowered place that we can all be together and I’m truly excited for what the future holds for us all.

Francesca

—-

Top image by Ninu Veghis
Below image by Christophe Berjot

“Francesca de Valence is part of the new wave of grass roots pioneers, leading the way through the new and ever changing music industry. In a recent webinar, she gave encouragement, inspiration and a working model for the proactive, self-determining and flexible mindset required to meet the challenges of the current music creation and marketing model. I left feeling empowered to be brave, creative and unique” – Simon Shapiro, Songwriter and Musician.