Meet Katy Tombaugh

We recently connected with Katy Tombaugh and have shared our conversation below.

Katy, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I’m compelled to answer this question because I’m someone who previously saw myself at “not very creative”. Decades later, I’m pleased to share this perspective has shifted dramatically, and I now see my creativity as not only one of my defining strengths but as a trait that all humans are gifted with should they choose to nurture it.

I keep my creativity alive by viewing it as a daily opportunity. I also like to say that inspiration is everywhere. To combine these two points, I essentially go through the day dialed in to that which I find interesting (or I’m curious about), meaningful (to me and/or the world) and impactful (in some way). I make what some might consider a copious number of notes-to-self to capture any ideas, random realizations/connections, words/phrases or insights. Then, I basically ask myself, “what can I do (meaning create) with all of this inspiration I’m curating?” After years of drowning in scrap paper, index cards and Post-it notes, I’ve recently adopted bullet journaling as the best thing since sliced bread. Most days of the week I am capturing and curating these assets for future development or utilization in my writing (blog and soon book), podcast and program development. It’s worth mentioning that I also capture digital content – meaning I’ll take a photo or screenshot of something to remind myself that the subject spoke to me, and I want to do something with it in the future. As an example, I’m a lifelong dancer and I’m constantly screenshotting songs that move me physically or emotionally.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the Founder of a women-owned small business, Wellness Collective, headquartered in Westerville, OH and we are very excited to be approaching our 18th year in business. We work with employers, globally, to promote health, fitness, safety and wellbeing immediately within the workday because better health and greater happiness have the power to transform businesses and lives.

In the year ahead, I’m excited publish my first book and to continue expanding our suite of programs and services. Learning and development, wellness campaigns and health coaching are continuing to trend and gain traction.

Additionally, I spend dozens of hours each month in nonprofit leadership roles. My areas of expertise are development and fundraising, and I’m drawn to missions centered on education, health, food insecurity and the arts.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Self-help. While we know people need people (social support), we can also take steps to support ourselves and to pour into our own development each day through reading, reflection and writing.

Love of learning. I think some people naturally have a love of learning and that others might need to adopt or develop the mindset that there’s something to learn each day or from any situation.

Perserverance or grit. There will be difficult times – and maybe even times where we need to pause, feel our feelings and regroup – but beginning ahead after that pause is where the magic happens.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Given that I’ve shared my insights around creativity, I must shout out Julia Cameron and “The Artist’s Way”. I worry someone may overlook this gem of a resource because they don’t identify as an “artist”. Perhaps consider it “the creative’s way”.

This book has the power to transform the way you choose to do your day and could be instrumental in providing healthy ways to express yourself and cope with uncomfortable feelings.

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Image Credits

Katy Images – Ian Crumpler

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