New Ali Edwards Classes To Sign Up For!

This past weekend my new 12-week online workshop Hello Story opened for registration and I'm knee-deep in the process of creating content: making layouts, writing, filming, designing handouts, choosing products, and thinking (always thinking). There is so much darn thinking that goes into this process. My brain is constantly in motion and well, it can be exhausting. How can I make this work with this? What makes the most sense for this project? Is this idea clear? How do I show this on video? How do I make this idea a reality? Is this going to be enough? How does this handout look? How can I make it better/clearer/more fun? What am I missing? Is this too much? Here's the deal: sometimes I get stuck in the thinking phase and it becomes over-thinking. Hello procrastination. Sound familiar? There's a fine line between the sort of thinking/planning/percolating that is necessary for an idea to develop and procrastination. Sometimes all that thinking can be more than a little paralyzing. Here's what I'm re-learning this week: take the first step (also known as "get out of your head"). And then take the next step. Things get done (and habits are created) in little chunks of time and by doing the next thing. All that thinking is a necessary part of the creative process, but without action (and the next step) it just lives in your head. Here's a few things I'm doing right now to get myself out of the thinking phase and into the action: Design a plan or an outline for the project. Know what your next step is (write your journaling, print your photos, buy supplies) - or be willing to simply start in the middle as a way to take action, gain momentum and get out of the thinking phase. If you don't have a plan make that your first action item. Have a notebook/sheet of paper/word doc for jotting down all your ideas related to the project. Those ideas that are rattling around in your head (and distracting you from taking actual action) are easily lost if not documented along the way (at least that is the truth for me). Turn up the music really loud and get away from the internet. Clean up your space. Be careful with this one - cleaning up your space can be a method of procrastination or it can simply be a step in getting ready to make stuff. Watch yourself and be mindful of whether this is actually action or simply a way to drag it out. For me I can tell when I'm dragging it out when cleaning off my workspace turns into a whole office clean-up. Break action items down into smaller tasks that fit your schedule and remember that there are many tasks that really only need a few minutes and those few minutes add up over time. Embrace good enough. This is one of my biggest challenges for getting started. Once I'm on my way one of the things I love most are those happy accidents and the discoveries that come from taking action - from starting and following through and finding outcomes I didn't expect that teach me so many things about the creative process and about myself. Now go take the next step! As always you're invited to share your reaction and response to this week's newsletter on my Facebook Page. DESIGNER DIGITALS QUARTERLY SALE IS ON NOW Here's a heads up that Designer Digitals Quarterly Sale is on now to May 15th. That means 30% off all products in the store. I've been busy making a bunch of new products, including printable PDF and PNG Project Life journal cards. Stop by the Contests & Events Message Board on Friday, May 10th to pick up the freebie word art shown above. Check out this post on my blog that features my newest designs. If you'd like to learn more about getting started using digital scrapbooking products (either for digital or paper scrapbooking) check out my Getting Started posts here.  THE PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT Need summer photo ideas or help improving your iPhone photography? Spend this July taking amazing photos with your iPhone or Android camera in The Phone Photography Project. In this month-long workshop, you'll learn to take better photos with the camera you always have with you as you document your summer adventures—with help from 32 incredible instructors (including me). On top of daily smartphone photography challenges, you'll also enjoy: dozens of tips and tricks from the pros for taking better photos with your mobile-phone camera a handbook of 60+ photography app reviews for iPhone and Android, so you know which are worth your time and money* dozens of project ideas for getting photos off your device and into your world interaction with 32 experienced iPhoneographers and Androidographers, and hundreds of fellow students in a private classroom and on Instagram giveaways, contests, discounts, bonus downloads, and fun fun fun! *Note: Many of the reviewed apps are available free in the App Store and Google Play, while the rest average about $1.99 each. App purchases are not required for participation in the class. Runs July 1 - August 1 | Introductory price: $39 >> Click here to register. Ali Edwards' passion resides in that special place where the images and stories of life intersect. Visit her online at www.aliedwards.com

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