Connect! Stay focused and go slowly… let the tip of the brush touch your water paper, then move your brush. It was a challenge to move slowly and follow the structure.
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This is how I spent my Sunday. A full day learning the art of Calligraphy. It was a special in-person workshop which started at 10-6pm. I was looking forward to this day. While I practiced continuously with every stroke, moving it closer to the ideal perfection. This wasn’t an ordinary class, it’s part of Master Sha’s Calligraphy.
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This exercise took me back many years ago, in elementary catholic school, practicing cursive writing. Perfection was key to get each letter within the parameters, the width and length equal and not to go beyond, otherwise you had to start all over again. Yes, bloody hell, starting all over was madness, so it was important to focus. Not sure what the nuns were thinking but years later,
At the age of 16, I was sent by my school to visit a career psychologist to discuss my future academic and career plans. It was a 2- month programme exploring my strengths through psychological exercises I had to complete, for which I was asked to write a story on a blank sheet of paper, draw an apple tree and place in number order of events, a story divided in 39 little boxes.
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The advisor was amazed that I was able to write on a blank piece of paper a story with perfect dimensions of my words which he measured. My apple tree was also perfect, each branch and trunk measures equally. He apparently never encountered this, well if he went to my catholic school, he might have discovered this was normal in these types of school.
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Wow! that was a flashback, I brought myself back to be present, as a master teacher approached me and reviews my work which was slowly fading from my water paper. He examines my work and explains the gaps and how it relates to some challenges he felt I was going through in life. I listened closely, I was intrigued and impressed at the same time.
There is a saying, write a calligraphy, and it will tell you a lot about yourself.
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The results from the 2-months program, which was much to my dismay, I was told that my hidden talents were in journalism and detective work.
I was quite surprised. I always thought I would be good at Interior Design, which is what I wanted to study. But in the end, did what everyone else was doing, and studied computer science. It was the 90s and IT was considered the best career choice.
In the end, I never pursued this avenue professionally, but I have since discovered that in my coaching business and style, where I help clients research and develop their pitch to potential clients, and to engage their market target and audience, I utilise my journalistic skill set.
After the process outlined above, and using detective skills, I work with my clients to gather information in order to find their ideal clients, we then examine their offers. I also talk to people through networking and collect data for their client database that can be used later for marketing and promotions. All, of these examples lead to solving problems for clients.
I did not pursue Interior Design, but my love of art and design was embedded before, during and prior to Covid 19, where I would meet my clients in various locations in London, carefully selected, such as art filled hotel cafes, it creates ambiance, and brings out the creativity and energy of my clients. I believe all my prior training and experience uses the skills I learned to help my clients build their business uniquely.
