As a professional creative you can go through many seasons in your work and personal life. You have to grapple with you craft, the arena you're in and those you both choose (and don't choose, but are there anyway) to be in your sphere. I regularly like to have some 'ponder time' and check in with myself with what is both feeding me, what will push me to develop as an artist, but also as a person.

The above words align, define and refine came to me this morning after watching a fantastic interview with Chase Jarvis, photographer, entrepreneur and owner of Creative Live, and Ramit Sethi, an author, businessman and psychologist.   Watch here
This was part of the series '30 Days of Genius', a series of 30 interview style talks that were produced daily for 30 consecutive days. I highly recommend if you want to get inspired and driven by some of the world's leading creatives, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

To me, to align comes in two strands -

1. Align with where God is calling you to be, both in work and spiritually. Get plugged in to good teaching and community. I have underestimated the latter in the past, and it has taken me many steps backwards.

2. Align yourself with the right people in your arena of work. Those who have what you are striving towards and those who are genuinely positive people who will not only encourage, but most importantly will inspire and push you on your chosen work path.

My next word 'define' is about working out exactly what your goal(s) is and make a game plan, step by step. Define what your methodology is to get there, and in great detail!  As Ramit suggested, take things step by step. Don't be put off by the big picture or the larger task and not do anything at all. The passage "do not despise the day of small beginnings" and "He who can be trusted with little, can also be trusted with much" from the Bible comes to mind. Map out your plans and dreams, get a calendar was strongly advised, define your own rhythm and method of working, and work it! Stick to it. Lastly map out your time. YOU HAVE TIME. Make it count.

Coming to refine... I strongly believe you must not get stagnant. You have to continually expose yourself and get stuck in to experiencing things that will both excite you creatively and elevate your esteem and spirit, in order to keep refining your skills and way of living. In so doing, this should help you on your way to making a richer life for yourself.

You are a whole package; not just ideas, physicality or spirituality. These all need to work collaboratively,(hence the word 'Collaborative' in my business name). My uncle once said, "If you ever feel wholly comfortable, you're probably not in the place you're meant to be growing." So dare yourself to keep making new things, checking in with yourself and your processes, and keep refining your own unique way of doing things.

Good luck. Enjoy! I hope to hear good things from you :)

So I've often noticed that my mind makes quick and creative connections whilst travelling, be it on a bus or train. Often when travelling towards a choreography rehearsal or class I will be planning my session, and the mere sight of everyday objects can spur a new direction of thought. Mostly I find that simply being in motion physically sparks up my brain, far more than initially jamming in the studio or sitting down pondering.

I was pointed towards this article by my sister and at the sight of the title, i thought it may be a little on the intense, negative side. However upon reading I fiound many deightful nugget phrases taken from various books and pieces of writing which both made sense and lit up something inside. here are a few of those below. For the full article click the link at the very bottom. I hope you enjoy.

 "As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."
Walking (Henry David Thoreau)

CS Lewis thought that even talking could spoil the walk. "The only friend to walk with is one who so exactly shares your taste for each mood of the countryside that a glance, a halt, or at most a nudge, is enough to assure us that the pleasure is shared."

Site Reference
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27186709​

Look, be elated and in awe. Sure enough Sylvie Guillem is one of the most extraordinary dancers, and ballet dancers at that, to have emerged in my lifetime. However halfway through the choreography I noticed something was missing. Her male counterpart doesn't really dance. Laurent Hilaire is a great partner, he gets his lady from point to point, supports, elevates, controls the choreography.
However this duet is more a solo with an aid; and I can't help but wonder if he fully enjoyed the choreography. It doesn't showcase his own flair or performance presence and, in effect, he simply walks, lifts and places his limbs in preparatory positions.

Still, gorgeous movement nonetheless. Enjoy.

#propelartandthought     Twitter:  @NatashaHubert     FB:  facebook.com/propelexcel

Melissa Polinar is one of those wonderful singers whose voice pierces through with such beauty and sensitivity. An acoustic gem, she teams up with Jeremy Passion in this song of strength 'Above Water'.