BE CREATIVE, BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE CREATIVE, BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

life i design The Podcast is live!

Woooops!

I recorded a few podcast episodes, stuff happened, and I decided to push back the launch date of the podcast from September 14th to December 1st. I felt relieved that I had more time to figure out podcasting and getting a bunch of episodes recorded.

Then on the morning of September 14th, I woke up to a notification congratulating me that the podcast was live!

Wait! What?!!

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BE INSPIRED, BE CREATIVE Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED, BE CREATIVE Nicki Traikos

Give Yourself Downtime - how it can help you

Over the last few years, I’ve taught a lot of people modern calligraphy and lettering skills. I’ve shared with them all the tips and tricks they need to get started. I’ve armed them with the best tools in their kit to continue their practice at home. I’ve even created online classes for those who can’t make it out in person to be able to sit at home and learn everything that I teach. But what I haven’t been able to give them is downtime!

Downtime; time during which a machine, especially a computer, is out of action or unavailable for use (I love this definition and relating it to humans), a time of reduced activity or inactivity.

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BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

how to commit to a 90 day plan - with downloadable tracking sheets

day (small ones - like a to-do list) and I check them off or cross them off my list! It’s so empowering!!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always get to check things off my lists. Sometimes I don’t get to everything on my list and have to re-evaluate them and see if they are worth carrying forward.

Another reason why I like to write them down in my daily planner is because I’m an easily-distracted-creative. My focus isn’t the greatest. I get bored, distracted and need to always remind myself to re-focus. It’s both a curse and a blessing. The good thing is, I never run out of ideas!!

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BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

free march 2019 calendar

Before I get to this free March 209 calendar that I made for you, it’s confession time.

Even though I plan and write things down, it doesn’t always mean that I finish everything I hope to. I’m ok with that - now.

I think we plan and try to achieve too much in a short amount of time. Don’t you?!

A few weeks ago, I stupidly walked into a door frame going into a crawl space and gave myself a concussion. I wasn’t skydiving or skiing down a mountain, I literally walked into a door frame, head down, looking at my phone trying to turn off the flashlight app. Stupid right?!

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BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

Learn how to get over your fear of trying something new

Have you ever dreamed about starting something new, learning something new, or jumping out of your comfort zone to shake things up a bit?! How do we get over the fear?

I’ve learned to be bigger than my fear! I let the fear pop up when it needed to warn me. Then I paused. Asked myself “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” if I hit share, publish or launched a new art piece. With each experience , I was more in control. With each bout of fear, I learned that I wasn’t in danger, and that my life wouldn’t end if I did this one new thing.

I learned a few tricks to help get over fear and am excited to share them with you now!

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BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

Goal Setting worksheets

First off, go ahead and download the goal setting worksheets here. Save them to your computer and print off a copy or two of each. You will notice that I have listed 5 categories; health, spiritual, relationship, finance and personal development. In an effort to simplify life, I will focus on only these 5 categories. Feel free to add others if you need, but keep in mind, simplifying is best so as not to get overwhelmed with your goal setting!

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BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

Slow living plan and tips

With many hectic days of keeping up with business, two busy teens, university tours, hubby traveling etc., minutes are precious and face-time even more so. My goal for 2019 is to consciously slow down the pace. I was going to end that sentence with “when possible” but that’s not intention enough. My goal for 2019 is to consciously slow down the pace. Period.

I know. You’re thinking to yourself, “Nicki. You’re crazy. You can’t slow the passing of time.”. But I have. I did and I’m figuring out ways to do it more as I go.

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BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

Free iPhone Wallpaper Background for November

I have spent most of my free time recently on painting abstract shapes and playing around with color. I have designs in mind that I am creating for my Society6 shop, that will go on things like pillows, laptop covers and even coffee mugs. Although my personal style in everything from clothing to home decor, is black and white, a small part of me is trying to embrace color {a limited color palette…} and try my hand at designing using some color! Sooooo, I thought I’d make this lovely wallpaper inspired by the falling snow and my current pattern designing mode, in the hopes of creating a lovely wallpaper to inspire you through the rest of November!

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BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

My top Self Care ideas

Looking for self care ideas or routine?! I outline 5 easy ways to incorporate more self care into your every day. Read more about how to create self care routines on www.lifeidesign.com

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SIDE HUSTLE, BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos SIDE HUSTLE, BE INSPIRED Nicki Traikos

How done is better than perfect!

If you've joined me on my last blog post, you'll know that I had a BIG goal to create my very first online class on the Skillshare platform.  Well, I managed to hit "publish" almost a week before my scheduled deadline!!!

I am not a perfectionist by any means, but I do dwell on details a little too much some times.  I have learned over the last few years, that done is better than perfect.  Agonizing over the details of a plan is necessary sometimes, for instance, when building a structure, or planning a Will, however,  agonizing over the details of an online class... not so much!

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