My Toolbox

My ArtBin Sidekick supply box holds everything I need with a little bit of room to grow as well! This product is perfect for when I have to travel and compact enough to take with me anywhere. It fits so well in my carry on next to my clothing and personal items. It stays locked shut, so I don’t have to worry about any ink spills happening in my suitcase. It’s super durable and effortless to clean. This product has three different sections for storage, and I have each spot filled with items.

Section One – Personal Items

This part of my ArtBin storage box has miscellaneous personal items that are great to have on hand during any job. I have hand sanitizer, lotion, business cards, and See in Colors pencils to hand out to clients and connections that I make at events. I always make sure to keep a plastic bag handy in case there is not a trash can close by, or I need to clean up some items in my workspace during an event.

Section Two – Work Supplies

In the final two parts hold the majority of the items I use during my graphic recording process! In this particular section, I have chalk, a pencil sharpener, erasers and some markers included. I always make sure to have child-proof scissors in there because they are TSA-friendly for when I travel! Whiteout is also an item I double check for when packing because it is so useful whenever I have a small error to fix or something to cover up on a drawing.

Section Three – Work Supplies (part 2)

This division holds my Neuland marker collection along with some refill ink. Artist tape and duck tape can always be found in this spot too! Duck tape is a universal go-to tool to keep in your kit. I like to keep some on hand at all times.

Want to learn how you can draw ideas with visual notes? Sign up on our interest list for the Learning Lab.  Be the first to know about online courses, coaching and public workshops.

In this day and age, it can be hard to keep track of everything in one place. Even with technology, it can be hard to get everything down. Pen and paper can be the way to go. A bullet journal provides a way for you to be organized in a creative way. From tracking your water intake, keeping up with tasks to dreaming big with a bucket list, your bullet journal can hold as much information as you like.

Bullet journals can be a gamechanger in the workplace. Take a break from your technology and use your bullet journal to plan strategically, organize your thoughts and keep track of your calendar. Bullet journals can provide a full visual and creative freedom that computer screens would limit. This style of note taking can also liven up meetings as well. Repetitive operational meetings can get boring, but by adding notes to your bullet journal it can boosts creativity during those long days in the boardroom. 

Getting started with your bullet journal:

1. Find your journal – Decide if you want lined or blank paper, dotted versus gridded, etc. You can get a large journal or start smaller. The key to bullet journaling is customizing it to your needs.
2. Figure out your topics – What do you want to include in your bullet journal? Consider creating a brain dump page before you get started. *Important note – make sure to skip a few pages at the beginning of your journal to leave room for your index.
3. Create your index – Consider your index your “table of contents” for your bullet journal. This will serve as your guide for finding specific information in the future. This portion will be extremely helpful once your bullet journal becomes full of your notes. Also, make sure to number your pages to keep with completing your index.
4. Design your key – Your key will have various indicators for your task lists. A simple dash “-” can serve as a general indicator of a task, while other symbols should be designed for different categories for your tasks. Design markings for tasks once you have completed them, moved to a different date or canceled altogether. This can evolve over time, but having a general guide is helpful.
5. Make it your own – Having an initial setup of pages and topics is great to get you started, but the main purpose of bullet journaling is making it your own. Search online for inspiration. Get ideas for layouts, content and more. Be sure to add some fun icons to your bullet journal with our visual note taking sheet!

Need some more inspiration? See photos of my journal below. Can’t wait to see what you create!

Click on the image below to watch the quick video of visual notes.

Creative Introduction with Holly Bass and local artist playing the drums.

Panel discussion on funding sources

Our closing for the day was a community poem created by all participants.  As the poem was read aloud, I listened and captured some of the highlights in this graphic recording.  I loved seeing the creativity throughout the day, because “out of the box” thinking is how we move toward new ideas and solutions.

Thanks for reading!  If you find this valuable, please share.  We love referrals.

Are you planning a meeting or conference?  Keep your attendees engaged, they need to SEE the big picture.  Just contact me for a free consultation.  I’m happy to help.

Let me show you how you can use this image at work, school, or home.

• Use a doughnut when you are drawing visual notes.  A doughnut image can represent a “reward, treat, dessert, calories, or  indulgence“.
• Do you have a meeting, training session, or workshop where you will have breaks in the agenda.  Draw your agenda on a flip chart or whiteboard.  Then draw a doughnut next to each break in the agenda to represent a break for sweets.
• Celebrating an accomplishment for your team, students, or a family member?  Write the word Congratulations on a whiteboard or flipchart and draw a large doughnut next to it.
  

I will leave it up to you, where to buy your donuts!  Personally, I’m a Krispy Kreme fan (smile).

Can you think of more ideas that a doughnut can represent?  I’d love to hear it.

Thanks for reading!  If you want to use visual thinking for your next project, conference, or strategy session, just contact me for ideas.

When you think of a librarian, what image comes to mind.  Books pop into my mind.

Here is a quick lesson on how to draw a book in 5 easy steps.  Give it a shot.

Icons like this can help build your visual vocabulary.  Of course you can use this icon to draw tons of concepts.  For example a book can represent learning, school, teacher, research, and so much more.  And several books together can make a library!

Can you think of more ideas a book icon can represent?  I’d love to hear it.

Thanks for reading!  If you want to use visual thinking for your next project, conference, or strategy session, just contact me for ideas.

Did you know that February 8 is National Kite Flying Day?

Who would have thunk it!  

I just happened to be looking at the National Day Calendar and saw this special day observed for flying a kite.

If you don’t have time to fly a kite on Feb 8th, you can draw one!  Here is a quick lesson on How to Draw a Kite in 5 Easy Steps.

Hope you had fun with this lesson.  Let me know if you fly a kite on Feb 8 or draw one!

I draw kites when creating visual notes to represent childhood, freedom, the wind or sky.  This one image of a kite, has so many meanings!

Click here to learn how we can help your group use visual thinking to communicate ideas, innovate, and see the big picture.

Update: For 2022 my word for the year is CREATE.

Update: For 2021 my word for the year is LEVERAGE.

Update: For 2020 my word for the year is ACTION.

Update: For 2019 my word for the year is DELEGATE.

Update: For 2018 my word for the year is CONNECTION.

Update: For 2017 my word for the year is EXPANSION.

***********

Let me tell you…. I stopped making New Year’s resolutions many years ago.

I know it works for some people but as for me… nah.

I still have my resolutions from the 80’s that I never finished. Oh my!

Last year I decided to set an intention for the year around one word.  DO.   I drew a picture of my word and shared it with my friends and family.  There’s something about sharing that helps you stay accountable and makes you push a little harder.

My word in 2016

Now it’s your turn.  Choose a word for the new year.  Need some ideas for your word? Here are a few.  FAITH, ACTION, PEACE, REST, FOCUS, CONSISTENT, DETERMINED, HEALTHY, BRAVE, PRESENT, INTENTIONAL, GROWTH, FORWARD, SLOW, IGNITE, and JOY.  There you go, that’s should get your wheels turning!

I created a blank template that you can use for this year.  Click here for the full size PDF you can print on 8.5 x 11 paper.

Word for the Year Template

Templates (worksheets) like the one above can also be used for training and coaching.  Templates help you visualize and work through a process, goal, or strategy.  Try using templates with your clients, to learn more just contact me.

1. Smiling Makes You Look Younger
2. It enhances your mood
3. It’s a stress reliever
4. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
5. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Victor Borge once said “The shortest distance between two people is a smile.”

For a larger view, double click the image to expand.

I made this artwork while doing the “Art Everyday Month” Challenge.

There are 4 smiles in this drawing.  Did you find them?  Please comment below.