E33 Transcript
In last week’s newsletter, I shared a little peek into my studio/office (in air quotes) setup—basically a few of the places where I work. And, to be honest, it’s not just one space but a combination of different areas. All within my home – no huge rental space, only repurposed spaces at home. There’s my desk with dual monitors (which sits on one side of the living room), the air-conditioned garage where I have a big worktable for some serious project time, and of course, the sewing room (a co-opted bedroom) with its rolling racks, dress forms, and industrial machines. Some days, you’ll find me at my drafting table, other days it’s just me and my laptop, sitting outside on the patio- all screened in so Cosmo can join me.
Even the cozy chairs by the fireplace-which I can see from my desk (that’s Cosmo’s favorite that spot in the winter—he’s a big fan of “the warm stuff coming from that big hole in the wall”). I can’t help but smile every time I see him there, chilling in a chair while I’m hard at work.
These are ALL places I work.
And here’s the thing about all these spaces: it’s all a little here and a little there- and all flexible! One of the biggest reasons I wanted my own business was freedom—not just to choose what I do, but where and how I do it - and with the setup that best suits me that day. Some days, it’s structure; other days, it’s all about moving with the flow of my energy. But the common thread? I get to decide what works best for me, and the work still gets done.
Is it always easy? No. Not at all! But the trade-off? Total creative ownership. Flexibility. The ability to build a life that fits—on my terms.
It’s not for everyone. But for me, it’s the best “office” I’ve ever had.
So, I want to ask you—what would your ideal workspace look like? If you could design a space where your creativity could thrive, what would it include?
In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about how to figure that out and how you can start building that dream space—no matter how big or small. Grab a beverage, and let’s talk about how we can make your workspace work for you.
Now Let me paint the “emotional” picture of my workspace for you, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll get you thinking about yours in a whole new way.
I’m lucky—my workspace is a blend of comfort, creativity, and a little bit of indulgence. I have a desk that’s organized, but not too rigid, with two big monitors. It’s homey, cozy, and not overly cluttered. There’s soft lighting, and the sounds of home and neighborhood are always in the background, whether it’s music, a podcast, or even the TV sometimes. And because I work for myself, I get to make every decision about this space—from the temperature to the scent of the candles burning, even the level of noise around me. (I know, I’m totally admit I am spoiled, right?)
But, here's the thing: the most important thing for me is that I get to make the call on what I’m doing, where I’m doing it, and how I’m going to get it done. THAT is what I love most about it-NOT the physical trappings – the mental ones! That is a freedom I didn’t find in the corporate world. And when I transitioned to working for myself, that was the dream. The ability to say, “I’m going to work here today, at this time, and on this project,”—with no one telling me otherwise. That, for me, is freedom. And it’s what made me want to build my own business in the first place.
Let me say that again because it’s a “big why” that is easy to slide past – I needed a work environment where I am the one making the decision as to WHAT I do at any given moment AND WHERE and HOW I accomplish that. That definition requires autonomy and self-discipline. Notice part of my dream workspace has nothing to do with the brand of desk or the type of expensive chair. How I wanted to feel in the space was just as important.
So I want you to think about your ideal workspace—your dream setup. What would it look and feel like? Really think about it. Is it peaceful? Quiet? Full of light? Maybe you picture a room filled with color, plants, and inspiration at every corner? Does it feel open and airy, or do you need structure and order to feel productive? What about the vibe? Is it calming and meditative, or does it spark excitement and energy? What things are important to you both for your internal environment (head and heart) and your external environment (the ergonomics and physical space)? Do you need to include some touchpoints with other creatives with possible collaboration or an accountability group? Maybe your ideal workspace is part of a co-op.
Now, let’s dig a little deeper: Why does this workspace matter to you? Is it because you need a peaceful environment to get into flow? Or maybe you’re all about freedom and creativity, and that’s why you need flexibility in your space. Maybe it’s about comfort—creating a space where you can be cozy while you get down to business.
Take a moment and ask yourself these questions:
• What do I want to feel when I work here?
• What kind of atmosphere would inspire me to do my best work?
• How can I design my workspace to align with the business I want to create?
• What’s the overall vibe I want my workspace to support?
For me, creating an ideal workspace wasn’t just about having a place to work—it was about crafting an environment where I could feel energized, focused, and inspired (in a way that suits my personality), all while maintaining the freedom to go with the flow when needed. Over time, I’ve shaped my space to fit my creative and business needs. And I’ll be honest: I still tweak things now and then.
Now, I want you to think about how these questions can help you shape your own workspace. It’s not about getting it exactly right on the first try, it’s about aligning your environment with your work, your energy, and the business you want to build.
Alright, now for our reality check.
I’ve shared with you what my dream workspace looks and feels like—where I get to work in total freedom and creative ownership. Sounds great, right? Well, here’s the catch: There’s always a catch isn’t there?
So here it is-
It’s not always easy. Working for yourself takes serious self-regulation. SERIOUS There’s no one to tell you when to start, when to stop, or even when to take a break. You’re the boss, the employee, and the decision-maker. That’s the reality of entrepreneurship. It’s freedom, yes, but with that freedom comes a lot of responsibility.
YES, You’ve got all the creative license but you’ve also got to build up your self-discipline to actually get stuff done. No one’s checking your punch card. No one’s holding you accountable to that project deadline other than you. That means it’s up to you to decide: How am I going to structure my time? How am I going to make sure I get things done? And most importantly—how do I create the work environment that helps me achieve this?
Let’s first talk about The Mental Game
To get there, you’ve got to start with an entrepreneurial mindset. Think about how you work now. What needs to change for you to get to that dream workspace, where your creativity thrives and your productivity stays on track?
Let’s start by identifying some key mindsets that’ll help:
1. Embrace Flexibility – Understand that building a workspace and worklife that fits your needs won’t be perfect. It will take quite a bit of trial and error. You might start with one setup, and then adjust it a few times until it feels right. That’s okay! The key is to keep tweaking it until you find what works for you.
2. Be Self-Disciplined but Kind to Yourself – You’re going to slip up. You’re going to procrastinate. You’ll feel overwhelmed at times. But the key here is resilience. Build the habit of showing up even on the days you don’t feel like it. Yes, this is a habit that can be built. If you had a 9-5 before – you showed up even when you didn’t feel like it so I know you can. Now you just have to CHOOSE to! If you had a 9-5 before and felt overwhelmed at times, you found a way through it so I know you can do that here too! And when you fall short, don’t beat yourself up about it—just make sure to show up again the next day. Just like you did at the 9-5 before.
3. Get Comfortable with Imperfection – This is huge. Don’t wait until everything is perfect—your workspace, your business plan, your ability to work from home without distractions. PS – THAT is never going to happen! Shooting for perfect is a trap, and it's a huge barrier to progress. Aim for “good enough” as a starting point and build from there. Shoot for “that works until I can afford something better” and get started. You won’t know for sure what else you need until you take the space for a test run.
So, as you think about your dream workspace, ask yourself: What’s your current mindset about building that workspace? Are you waiting for the perfect moment? Are you holding yourself back because things don’t look the way you imagined? Do you need to shift your mindset from waiting for the perfect space to show up to creating the “perfect for now” space as you go along?
Now that the mental game is out of the way - let’s get practical.
The dream workspace isn’t going to pop out of your head and onto the floor without any action on your part—it’s a goal. A big one. And the best way to approach any goal, no matter how big, is to break it down into small, manageable steps.
Creating your dream workspace—just like building your business—doesn’t happen in one fell swoop. It takes small decisions and consistent actions along the way. Don’t focus on getting it all into place before you start to create there. Instead, think of it like laying the foundation first. Build a little bit and test it out. See what’s missing. Fill in the gaps, build a little more and test it out. Here are some ideas you might consider:
1. Think about One Small Action you could start with – what would make your workspace feel more like your ideal space – and make you want to get in it and stay in it? Could you add a new lamp, clear off your desk, or move things around to get better light? Or maybe it’s simply writing down what you want the space to feel like.
2. Create a List of Priorities – Do you need better lighting? Do you need a more comfortable chair? Or maybe you need to invest in some creative supplies to make your space feel more inspiring. Write these things down and rank them based on what will give you the most satisfaction right now.
3. Set a Timeline – Start thinking about WHEN you might like to have some of your workspace to your liking – not all of it, just a timetable for beginning. By giving yourself a timeline to check off your various steps, you’ll keep building momentum and motivation.
4. Celebrate Progress – Don’t wait until you’ve started to give yourself credit. Celebrate the planning and the dreaming it takes to step toward your dream workspace—whether it’s a cozy corner to work in or a dedicated spare room.
I get it—the thought of building your ideal workspace can feel like a big, daunting task. But remember, this is your creative journey. The serious thought you put in along the way—about both your mental and physical space—will get you closer to the life you want to create. And By the way – I STILL move furniture around every now and then because I need to change the flow of things. It’s a living organism – this place!
Now that we’ve spent some time dreaming about what our ideal workspace looks like, let’s get real about what we can do today to bring that dream a little bit closer. I know, I know—sometimes thinking about the big picture can feel overwhelming. But the truth is, small changes can have a huge impact.
So, I want to ask you: What’s one small thing you can change in your workspace today that will get you closer to your dream environment? It doesn’t have to be a huge overhaul—just something small that brings you a step closer to what you’ve envisioned. Maybe it’s as simple as clearing off a spot, arranging some candles, or adding a calming element like a plant or a picture that inspires you.
Here’s a little tip: It’s all about creating intentionality in your space. Let’s say you want a peaceful, meditative workspace. Right now, you can start by decluttering and adding a few things that bring peace to the space—like a small plant, a cute lamp, or a small bulletin board with fabric swatches in your favorite colors. These tiny shifts in the current space help set the tone for the type of work you want to do. Every little change starts to create a feeling of alignment with the dream you’re building. Remember my spaces – plants on the patio, cat by the fireplace.
Now, let’s zoom out for a second. This can also apply to your bigger goals. If your dream is to eventually leave your 9-to-5 job and have your own creative business, what small action can you take today to move just a tiny step closer? Maybe it’s jotting down that vision in a journal, researching potential clients, or setting up a workspace where you start the planning process.
I’ll give you an example from my own journey: Way back, when I first started designing and sewing for wedding parties, I was still working full-time in the design field, creating women’s coordinate sportswear. It sounds like a dream job, And it was fun, but I didn’t expect to be so inspired to do more of the same once I got home. But you know what? I wanted to do it. I loved it becausemy workroom so beautiful and inviting that it was a joy to be in. My space was filled with pictures of elegant gowns, beautiful silk swatches, and sparkly lace pieces. It was everything I couldn’t wait to work with. And that energy kept me going.
The point is, creating a fulfilling space for your passion doesn’t have to be a huge effort. It’s all about finding those small ways to make your environment one that’s truly aligned with what you’re trying to accomplish. Even if your current situation is a side hustle, it can start to feel like the thing you can’t wait to get back to. And that’s a big step toward building the life you want.
Think about it: If your dream is to build a business around your creativity, how can you start shaping your current workspace to reflect that? And if you’re working a 9-to-5 job while building your dream on the side, how can you make that side hustle feel like it’s already your business? It could be something as simple as taking 15 minutes at the end of the day to work on your creative business or organizing your workspace to make it feel like a space you want to spend time in.
Even small intentional actions like this will build momentum over time. Each little shift you make takes you closer to your dream.
You don’t need the perfect desk, the perfect view, or the perfect lighting. What matters most is stepping toward what you want, even if it's just a small step. Because it’s in the action, in the doing, where you start feeling real progress.
Remember, your dream workspace is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s not something you have to get right in one shot. It’s something that will evolve with you over time – as it should be. As you grow and as your business grows, your space will naturally shift, adapting to the needs and goals you have at any given moment. Maybe your workspace now feels a bit more utilitarian because you’re in the early stages of your business, but as you grow, it can evolve into a sanctuary of creativity. The most important thing is to remember to design it with how you want to feel in mind. What do you want to experience when you're in your workspace? How will it help set the tone for your day and your work?
So here’s your challenge for the week: Take a moment to reflect on one small action you can take today to move toward your ideal workspace. Whether it’s something as simple as tidying up your desk, adding a corkboard of inspiration, or carving out a dedicated corner for your creative business projects—it all counts. What small action can you take today that will make you feel that excited jittery feeling of “this could really happen!”?
Creating your dream workspace, just like building a creative business, is a process. And the most important thing is not to wait for everything to fall into place or to be perfect from day one. Your workspace doesn’t need to be perfect. What it needs to do is “exist” in order to help your creativity, your work, and your growth. And, just like in the creative business journey, it’s all about getting started with what you have, adjusting as you go, and continuing to trust that the process is what will get you to where you want to be.
As always, I encourage you to trust your instincts and know that each small step you take is part of the bigger picture. And if you need support or accountability, I’d love to hear from you. Let me know how you're doing—what small steps are you taking toward your dream workspace or your dream business? Come share your thoughts with me in the private Facebook group or on social media or inside The Maker’s Path. I can't wait to see what steps you’re taking!
