Browser tabs multiplying endlessly. To-do lists growing by the minute. Creativity squeezed into tiny corners of your day. Yes?
In my 1:1 sessions this week, I noticed something: we're all struggling to give our creativity the space it deserves while running a business that actually works. Let's talk about it!
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Creative Business
As a designer and mentor to spiritual solopreneurs, here's what I see happening: We're all focused on creating content, showing up online, and serving our clients... but these are just tactics. They're the day-to-day and month-to-month decisions that keep us busy —sometimes too busy to actually create.
Obviously, there are no cut-and-dried answers on how to resolve that issue. Still, a few general observations about how I protect my creativity in business should shed some light on what I think it takes not to do more but actually protect that space.
Creative Structure
During a recent client session, I watched someone go from working 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day (do you do this?) to opening up Calendly to set clear, protected spaces for both client work AND creativity.
The remedy? STRUCTURE
I know, I know. Structure sounds like the opposite of creativity. But here's what I've discovered:
Structure is like a garden design - it shows you where to put your energy and how everything grows together. It answers questions like:
- When do you do your deep creative work?
- How do you protect your creative energy?
- Where are you wasting precious time?
- Most importantly, How can you create original content with intention instead of desperation?
Creative Rhythm
Let's stick with this analogy of your business is like a garden:
- Some areas need daily attention: CLIENT WORK
- Others need seasonal planning: LAUNCHES
- And some need protected space to grow: YOUR CREATIVE WORK
What I'm seeing work beautifully is:
- Dedicated client days: MON - TUES ONLY
(free your mind to create the rest of the week) - Protected creative time: WED - FRI
(now inspiration knows when to show up) - Clear boundaries around work hours: I END BETWEEN 2-4PM DAILY
(also try a 530-7am marketing sprint, it really works!) - Strategic use of your energy: YOUTUBE VIDEOS THAT BECOME INSTAGRAM CONTENT
In this business "garden," even the most beautiful flowers/ideas have room to flourish.
Creative Strategy
Once you have this creative structure in place, you can finally see the bigger picture:
- Where your clients first discover you
- How your free content serves them
- What offerings naturally flow/grow together
- Most importantly: How everything connects without overwhelming you
Do we lose ourselves in the endless scroll of social media, or do we listen to our own creative voice? Do we let client needs overflow into our sacred creative time, or do we hold firm to our boundaries? Do we let others set our agenda, or do we follow our own carefully tended path?
As a single mom running a high-touch business, I've learned this truth: every decision matters. Every "yes" and every "no" shapes your garden of creativity. This isn't just business advice - this is hard-won wisdom about using your time wisely to create your best work.
What I'm Learning :
The irony? Structure actually creates more freedom. When Monday is fully booked with clients, you can dive into creative work on Tuesday without guilt or distraction. Many of us find ourselves in a beautiful but tricky spot - our businesses are growing (amazing!) but we somehow missed that crucial planning phase. The good news? Having real client experience makes your creative work even more powerful because you know exactly what is needed and what isn't.
Creativity is not a chore - it's a source of energy. When life gets in the way, we sometimes forget why we created it in the first place.
What I'm Celebrating:
Speaking of strategy in actions- Tabernacle 10.0 is filling up beautifully! We have 6 amazing souls already committed and 7 spots remaining. This is exactly where we map out your customer journey, clarify your offerings, and create systems that support both your business AND your creativity.
Creating a brand book and graphics around your business rhythm stabilizes you in the creative chaos. When you are structured, you have time to get quiet—and when you are quiet, you hear the inner voice saying, "Do this, try this, say this."
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When you give your creativity the proper structure, your business succeeds. You complete the most important tasks on your agenda, and you now have time for the work that matters.
Until next Sunday, keep tackling the creative challenges in your own structured way,
Erica
P.S. Feel overextended, distracted, and overwhelmed? Do you work at a breakneck pace all day, only to find that you haven't accomplished the most important thing on your agenda by the time you leave your desk? Hit reply, and let's discuss creating the structure your thriving business deserves. Tabernacle 10.0 has a spot waiting for you✨
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