Jaime Mann on Dignity in Creative Spaces
Jaime Mann of The Amaryllis Project is the loveliest human. I - Amanda - met her at a conference a few months back and I was taken by her kind, strong, and welcoming personality.
We’re thankful to have Jamie guest writing here on the blog for our Dignity in Creative Spaces series.
What is the hardest part about what you do?
Reigning myself in! I am super enthusiastic, and I am always tempted to do more, read more and learn more!
What is the all-time dream part of your job? The thing you still pinch yourself that you get to do? And, tell the people how often you actually get to do it.
Meet new, amazing people who trust me enough to bring me into their businesses and lives. I know it sounds perhaps a bit cheesy, but meaningfully connecting with people is what motivates me, and I am grateful to be able to do this work every day.
What does dignity in your work look like?
In my work, I always strive to maintain the clients' dignity at all times - so ensuring that they feel safe and heard, and empowering them to make decisions and create momentum for themselves. Whether I am working with a work team or an individual, maintaining dignity is essential because it is the foundation for our well-being and organizational success. Dignity involves trust and recognition - so we each must be aware and acknowledge the strengths and contributions within ourselves, and within our work teams.
Within myself, I work diligently to be kind and speak to myself as if I am my very best friend. Building resilience has been key, because if I am going to keep pitching myself and my ideas, I need to be ok with sometimes missing the mark, so to speak, and still being able to get back up and try again. Understanding my value and worth has been a journey for me.
What are some simple (or hard) things you did to bring more dignity into your creative space?
The first thing that comes to mind is that I am much better at setting boundaries and saying no to things. Of course, when we start out in our businesses, we might feel uncomfortable doing this, but eventually, we overextend ourselves or take on clients whose values don't align with our own. My boundaries have evolved, and they are similar now both in my work life and my personal life, and I am comfortable protecting them. When I go to bed at night, I don't think, "Why didn't I just say NO to that?" or "I wonder if they are put off with me for declining that extra work?" I have more peace and know that other projects will be coming my way.
If you could give Creatives one piece - one practice - they could add to their work to bring in more dignity to the people they serve what would it be?
Be thankful for everything- every experience, whether you would initially classify them as positive or negative. At the end of each day, I consider my experiences - both the ones that made me feel joyous or hopeful, and the ones that left me reeling. What made those situations important or memorable? What did I learn? Why are my initial feelings or emotions coming up the way they are?
I like to push myself to get off the "binary thinking" path - so, I can feel both happy and frustrated about something, or dejected and hopeful. When I can "sit" with these feelings, and inspect them with curiosity, I can pull out some valuable reflections and clarity. I am honouring myself as a complex, messy human, and I embrace the dignity in that practice.
Closing thoughts for the Camp Rover Community?
To me, dignity comes down to connection - so taking the time to connect with ourselves, and also to others. We must understand ourselves and understand our worth, and then we can build meaningful connections with others.
We are social creatures, after all, and when we honour this need for connection, we are honouring our creativity and valuing our unique sparkle.
Do you have a project collaboration you want to share with the Camp Rover Community?
Currently, I am working with individuals who would consider themselves "perfectionists" and who are challenged with imposter feelings.
Reach out if you are interested in a small group coaching experience - this includes valuable information and research-backed exercises and techniques that will free up your valuable energy to do what you REALLY WANT: confidently create for your clients!
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