Since i do a lot of business coaching of inspiring entrepreneurs and have a lot of focus on how to create a sustainable lifestyle and business for yourself, I decided to do a new storyline around inspiring entrepreneurs. What they all have in common is the need for living wholehearted and creating a lifestyle which works around themselves and their need to balance their creativity, business and family life.
One of the best ideas I give to my clients is to “fake it till you make it“- meaning; find some rolemodels who inspire you and know, that if they can make it - you can make it. We have all started at point zero and worked our way up. Look at your rolemodels, look at their energy, get inspired and when times are difficult, try and imagine how they would work around the situation.
The next person in this series is Anne Mette Kirk - a mom, a wholehearted activist when it comes to autism and an amazing writer. I don’t think you have to read Anne Mettes book Knust to fall in love with her, you can just take a look at her and her power. She has this gentle aura which you get drawn to and she has waken a curiosity inside of me of getting to know her. Maybe you feel the same way, then grab a cup of coffee and read this interview about being a wholehearted mom, a grateful businesswoman and a creative soul searching for inspiration and flow.
Can you please tell me about your thoughts of going solo and becoming a writer?
They were not thoughts – they were heavy impulses and a force of passion I had never experienced before. I knew instantly that I needed to follow this or I would regret it ever after. Then came all the thoughts: Will I miss my collegues? Am I leaving a stable income? Is my book going to flop? But the creative proces of writing my novel filled me up with so much energy and happiness and there was just one thing to do: Try it out! And that meant leaving my job as a communications officer at The Royal Danish Court.
I know you have been in the corporate game for years, what’s it like to be your own boss now and how is a typical day in your life?
I don’t have a typical day. Just to give you an example. This week, I started out Monday by editing my new script and gong to the movies to watch a movie, that dealt with some of the same issues as my new book. Tuesday was filled with meetings, Wednesday I had a interview and photoshoot with the Danish Magazine Euroman. Thursday I wrote a new chapter and did some research and Friday I’m once again at my office answering emails and editing the piece I wrote yesterday.
How does being your own boss fit with being a mom?
I’m the toughest boss I ever had, but a very flexible one. Meaning that I some days pick my kids up early from school, but other days I won’t see them at all because of an interview in Aarhus or a book fair. I often work before they wake up in the morning and again when they sleep. But I also love to bring my kids with me when I’m doing research or if I’m checking out a location. I love to make them a part of the creative process!
I have this urge and need inside me of being creative. I can imagine you feel the same when it comes to telling stories. Can you tell me a bit about your relationship with words and story telling?
To me it’s like breathing. It’s what makes my heart beat faster and what makes me complete as a person. People often ask me if it’s hard to be disciplined – but it seldom is. I love writing with all my heart and I don’t see myself becoming lazy and stop writing – my challenge is more to remember to step away from the computer and leave my script behind.
I think all creative people know the satisfaction of being in flow - when are you in flow in your creative process and when do you experience flow in your daily life?
I know for sure the anxiety of not being able to write severals day in a row – writing is for me like using a muscle – the more you use it – the stronger it gets. Being in flow means writing every single day at least for 30 minutes but also to seek inspiration else where. Visit a museum, watching a movie, read books by other authors. How can you write about the world if you don’t spend time in it? Absorbing it and digesting it. Being in flow is for me – keeping the inspiration in flow and all my senses open for new impressions and stories.
You know I talk a lot about gratitude, what’s your relationship with gratitude and when do you experience it?
My relationship with gratitude is constant and a source of joy every day. I feel grateful every day I wake up and if not, I write down a short list with reasons why I ought to. I refuse to get caught up in negative emotions, and I put my energy in creating stories and moving forward. I’m living my dream every single day and when I meet rejection or setback, I search for the lesson to be learned from it.
I know you just finished a new book, when is it coming and what are your plans for 2020?
Yes, you’re right, I just finished my novel and for the next couple of months I will be doing a lot of editing together with my editor. Writing a book is a nitty-gritty job, where every sentence has to be given love and attention. We still haven’t decided on a date for its release, but I promise to let you know as soon as possible. In 2020 I will also be doing, interviews, book fairs, lectures and I will be continuing my work on creating a stronger support system for families affected with autism. Just like my youngest son. And of course at one point during 2020, I will begin to work on a new novel, you know, it’s all about being in flow! Feeding your creative beast!
If you want to know more about Anne Mette follow her at https://www.instagram.com/kirkannemette or go read her popular and great book , with the danish title; Knust.
Pics by Kim Vadskaer
