November 1, 2018 • Newsletter
There’s something about November that makes me treasure community. Perhaps it is the upcoming season of gratitude, perhaps it is the slightly cooler temperatures, perhaps it is the changing leaves, signaling our own mortality. The past week has been full of community for me, in lots of delightful places. There was a neighborhood community, bound simply by geography, that gathered to escort our young ones from house to house, pilfering candy from the kids’ bags. There was a professional community, linked through shared work experience that gathered to enjoy the ballet. There was a personal community, bound by a common college history that gathered with spouses and children over dinner to both reminisce and look ahead. There was an activity-based community, which gathered around a children’s writing workshop, with nothing in common other than our appreciation for the hour we shared.
It’s easy to forget our shared community, especially as we find ourselves divided and unable to understand how others fail to share our worldview. But we’re all in this together. And I do mean all of us. Even those who disagree with us, and even those who cannot share their views aloud.
To that end, as you are considering community this month, think about these things to boost your creative practice.
- Community. Support your community—those you love, and those who love you no matter what. And consider recognizing the diversity among your own community as well. The stranger in your boxing class may vote for a different candidate (even one you abhor). Your neighbor down the hall may have more in common with you than you think. Even those with shared experiences may see life differently. Your creative practice will be stronger if your community is broad.
- Review your protection strategy. Open enrollment for healthcare in 2019 has begun. This is a great time to review your insurance needs and coverage—not just health insurance—to make sure you are appropriately weighing the risk trade-offs. While you’re thinking about insurance, think about your other protections as well. Do you have a will? Do you have an emergency reserve fund that is growing? Do you use standard contracts with your clients to protect your time and your creative energy?
- Check in with your withholdings. Lastly, check in with your withholdings. Tax professionals are still talking about low withholdings—meaning you may end up owing money when you file your taxes next year. Ouch. Here’s a tax calculator from the IRS that can help. (Follow the link and click on the blue button to open the calculator.) I know I’ve talked about this for three months in a row now, but I don’t want you to be surprised if you own more than you think you will next year.
I hope you will vote this month, or that you have voted already. Your vote—every vote—makes the community thrive. And I hope you’ll remember our shared communities, regardless of the outcome. To hang the success or failure of our country on a single election ignores the overlapping communities we share every day. They are imperfect—as we all are—but without them life would be quite a bit less interesting.
What We’re Doing
On November 14, we’re joining Mosaic Education Network’s ARTrepreneur-PLUS workshop series to talk about retirement and taxes for creatives. Zora’s House is an incredible co-working space in Columbus… Join us to check it out, or visit on your own.
Need to take a moment to check in with your own financial health and wellness? Join us in Columbus on December 14 and 15 for a two-day workshop to dive into your budget, your investments, your debt, and how your overall financial health supports your creative practice. (Not in Columbus? No worries! there’s an online version starting in January… )
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