JUMPSTART ‘23
Why it’s not too soon to start thinking about the new year.
“What you do today determines who you will be tomorrow.”
Resolutions, commitments, and even choosing an exercise like the ever popular WOTY - word of the year - are an all-important second step.
Step one is about laying the groundwork to make those choices and commitments.
That begins when we ask ourselves:
Who are we in this life stage? (Hint: we’re not our job title, our role in our families, or who we were a decade or two ago.)
What’s next? (Hint: if our values or definition of success has changed, what changes might we make to adopt a work and lifestyle most congruent with those values.)
What or who might help?
And most importantly -
Have I the humility to ask for it?
Where to begin?
In my experience, the answer to that is always - in good company.
Self-direction has never been my strong suit. I do best with structures and frameworks, a disciplined routine, and supportive peers.
I found that nearly forty years ago in Alanon’s 12 Step rooms - quite serendipitously - via an assignment in a graduate course on employee counseling.
I discovered it again a few years later on a serendipitous break between children’s carpools - in a Barnes & Noble bookshop.
I can still smell the coffee and picture the comfy chair where I began my first exploration of The Artist’s Way.
It was a while before I made the association of its structure - 12 Chapters over 12 weeks - with what I’d learned of 12 Step programs, but there it was - inventories, a deep dive into our origin stories, meditative practices, and even an homage to the practice of “90 & 90”.
In the earliest days of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) there were no ‘rehabs’ or formal settings in which to embark on a recovery program. People were urged to commit to 90 meetings in 90 days. And given what we know now about the neuroscience of building new habits - that practice was well grounded in science - known only by anecdotal experiences at the time.
Why Jumpstart ‘23 with The Artist’s Way?
Our best days, weeks, months, and years are ahead of us. That’s what having survived the changes and trials that have already presented themselves has earned us.
I know of no better way of starting and sticking to a program of self-care, self-development, or even continuing education if you prefer to frame it that way - than in the company of others.
I also know that ‘the company of others’ is an intimidating place to be.
For that reason, many shun the idea of meetings - in person or online - often using the cost of a program as an excuse.
Now there are no excuses!
You are invited to explore this process - on your own. Oh, the company of others is on offer - but not until you’re ready.
Here’s how it works:
You’ll receive three emails each week designed to keep you focused and on track.
You will have 24/7 access to the course material online or via our mobile app
If you opt into the #Jumpstart’23 course - you’ll have a private activity feed to either share or simply listen to the wisdom and experience shared by others.
Are you ready to imagine putting all that wisdom and experience to work for yourself?
So, why is it free?
That’s simple. This is a program - as with all 12 Step programs - that works - only if you work it.
My experience is that once you start working it - when you find it works for you - you may wish to take advantage of our member benefits.
Many of our network members have returned year after year to explore the entire Artist’s Way series in facilitated groups and workshops.
They’ve become helpers in a network of helpers who keep in touch to support themselves and each other.
“When I was a boy and I would see scaring things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers.
You will always find people who are helping.””
Join us in our ongoing effort to surround each other with “helpers”.
#DontGoItAlone
Sign up and get started here!
