A different way to work

Writing a poem on your morning run/walk. A Substack post as soon as the idea drops. An online course because it's suddenly formed, in your mind. No rules. Lots of creativity. Become one of the 15%.

I made a decision, ten years ago, after my first baby was born, to stay close to home. I didn’t want to miss anything.

I made another decision, at that time, to remain committed to my career as a writer. 

Seven weeks ago, I made a decision to support my son in the ways he needs. Right now, that means him being at home rather than at school.

I made another decision, at that time, to remain committed to my career as a writer. 

I’m able to keep my promises (to myself) by working creatively: creative work, creative hours, creative approaches.

This looks like:

• Writing a poem or prose passage on my 10-minute morning run and sharing it on Instagram. Sometimes it gets lots of likes, sometimes very few. I don’t care. I have let go of the ‘outcome’ and instead, I’m focused on the initial process of writing and then the joy of sharing my words with the world.

• Putting together a Substack post when the idea lands. I drop everything else and follow my energy, write the piece, edit it and then publish it straight away. I write in coffee shops, on the bus, while my children are milling about. I hide in the toilet, if they keep talking to me, because sometimes, I need to prioritise creativity.

• I’m seeing that when you share from the heart, soul - whatever you want to call that very real, honest, creative part of you - people respond. It might be a slow response. It might go viral. But it starts with a sense that you just can’t not share your art or creativity - and where it goes from there is not actually your business.

• I keep an eye on new platforms, technologies and trends. I don’t try them all but I do take an interest. When something just feels right - launching an online course did, so does writing on Substack - I go for it. Both these trials have been fruitful for me and so now, I love teaching others how to launch courses and Substacks.

• I get to write what I want to write, when I want to write it. To share it. And then to invite anyone who likes what I’m writing about or how I’m writing to join me on Instagram for the snippets, Substack for the longer-form and to join my courses or work with me one-to-one (I’m a coach) and go deeper.

• This means that my followers, customers and clients often end up being very aligned with me in terms our values, energy, the way we like to spend our time, the things we prioritise and what we believe in. It sometimes amazes me that I get to meet so many incredible women through my work.

I’m 10 years into working this way. Finding new platforms to write on, new ways to share my work, new ways to continue being creative and new ways to earn a decent living, from home, around my children’s quite specific needs.

When I think about the fact that a whopping 85% of people dislike their job, I realise I’m bloody lucky. Well, it’s part luck and a lot of choosing the path I enjoy. Then putting in the hours, continuing, strategising and staying well put.

I love working this way. I call it The Creative Way (to earn a living online). And I’m teaching it in an online course, starting on Monday 9th September. It’s the second time I’ve run this course and the first time, nearly 100 women signed up.

Soon, I was seeing them put out their poetry, paintings, photography and all sorts of other beautiful creative work on Instagram. And launching their own Substacks. And online courses. It felt like magic, watching it unfurl.

There is an early-bird offer on right now, so you can sign up and enjoy a big saving then, come September, when there’s that ‘back to school’ and ‘what’s next?’ energy, we can start to get creative. You can become one of the 15% who love their work.

Who’s in?

Any questions, ask away.

Annie x