Ep 161 - Coaching for Creative Entrepreneurs with Chris Mitchell

In this episode of Paper Talk, Jessie, Quynh, and Sara sit down with Chris Mitchell, a life, career and professional development coach for artists and creatives. Chris has helped numerous creatives, including Jessie herself, to refine their approach to productivity, work-life balance, and artistic growth. Her unique approach to coaching focuses on supporting artists and creative professionals at any stage in their careers. She emphasizes the importance of carving out dedicated time and space to reflect, strategize, and set aligned goals, whether clients are balancing multiple responsibilities or transitioning into new creative ventures. Unlike a mentor who might give direct advice, Chris acts as a guide, prompting her clients to tap into their own strengths and resources. Her coaching philosophy revolves around intention, encouraging creatives to apply the same level of thought and care to their day-to-day structure as they do in their craft.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this Episode:

• Intentionality is Key: Building intentional routines, like setting start times and professional rituals, can help creatives establish productive habits without stifling their creativity.
• Coaching vs. Mentorship: Coaching encourages self-discovery and growth by guiding clients through reflective exercises and personalized support, while mentorship is more about knowledge-sharing and direct advice.
• Celebrating and Reflecting: Setting goals and celebrating progress, even for minor achievements, keeps motivation high and helps identify growth areas.
• Personalizing Your Practice: Creativity thrives with structure. Tailor your work routines to suit your personal style and needs, and find small rituals that bring joy and routine to your week.
• Asking for Help: Sometimes the hardest step is asking for help. Reaching out to others, whether for guidance, networking, or feedback, can make all the difference.

Jessie shares her journey working with Chris, explaining how Chris’s six-week signature coaching program, “Building Your Creative Practice with Intention” offers creatives the tools to build habits that align their personal values with their professional goals, and ultimately helped her redefine what productivity looked like for her as an artist and a mother. Through structured support and personalized strategies, Jessie managed to implement a consistent start time, which transformed her work routine, making her days more intentional and effective.

“Just as you carefully choose your materials, tools, and techniques in your craft, you can bring that same intentionality into structuring your workday.” - Chris

If you’re an artist or creative professional struggling with productivity, focus, or balancing your many roles, be sure to listen to this Episode for inspiration and actionable tips! Chris’s insights remind us of the value of intention, the power of routine, and the importance of seeking guidance to unlock our creative potential.

Interested in learning more? You can learn more about Chris Mitchell by exploring her website or following her on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. 

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Here are two helpful resources that may interest you after listening to our Episode:

• Set Your Creative Compass 2025: The 4th edition of Chris’s popular Annual Goal Planning Toolkit for Artists and Creatives - Set Your Creative Career Compass 2025 - guides artists and creatives step-by-step through setting solid goals and making a plan for taking their creative practice, arts-based business or career forward in 2025. 
• Building Your Creative Practice or Business with Intention (Workbook): Chris’s new workbook for artists and creatives - Building Your Creative Practice or Business with Intention - is a 56 page workbook inspired by her Signature Group Coaching program and designed to help artists and creatives:
  • Think about their creative practice or business more holistically.
  • Better identify and take actions that support their development and help them reach their goals.
  • Bring more purpose and meaning to their work and life as a creative professionals.