We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Bylow recently and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
Believe it or not, my journey started on the ice at the tender age of 6 when I laced up my first pair of figure skates. What began as a hobby turned into a full-time adventure, with 5 am wake-ups for pre-school training, post-school sessions, and eventually, all-day practices paired with homeschooling. That whirlwind of physical and mental training lasted until I hit the big 2-0.
Reflecting on those skating days, I’m grateful for the intense training that sculpted my goal oriented mindset. Now, in both my personal and professional life, I take those lessons and run with them.
Efficiency is my game. I’m dead serious about making every moment count. In my daily business grind, I’ve adopted a cool strategy: hour-timed sessions. I set the clock, dive into a task for a full hour with no interuptions, then take a 15-minute breather before hitting repeat. It’s like a productivity power-up.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
So, my journey in the arts has been quite the adventure, exploring various businesses and genres. After hanging up my figure skates, I dove headfirst into Philosophy at the University of Toronto. But, you know, life has its twists and turns.
During those university days, I stumbled upon electronic music composition and graphic design, and let me tell you, it felt like a whole new universe opened up. Creative expression became my jam, and as my composition skills flourished, I found myself gracing stages in both Canada and Japan.
My travels to Japan sparked a new flame—sewing and designing. That’s when “Jojee Apparel” was born. From costumes to ready-to-wear, and now blending in performance and dance, the label has evolved. It’s all about breaking norms—gender-neutral and using materials destined for the trash.
I’m also the proud owner and Executive Director of RAW Artists Canada. Eight years of curating events across the country, and let me tell you, it’s the dream gig. Traveling to 8 cities lets me connect with artists from coast to coast. Seeing the joy and motivation our events bring to artists—it’s pure magic.
Our 2024 season kicks off with the Montreal showcase on Saturday, February 3rd. Curious? Check out http://www.RAWartists.com/montreal/levitate for all the deets!
Excited to keep the creative vibes flowing!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Discipline, confidence, risk taking. For me these aren’t just individual elements; they weave together seamlessly. The more you dedicate yourself to practice and learning, the stronger your confidence grows. With increased confidence, you find comfort in taking greater risks because your skill set backs you up.
For a significant chunk of my journey, discipline was my mainstay. The confidence part, well, it took its sweet time, nurtured by the daily grind of working and learning. Gradually, I found confidence in my various artistic pursuits and business ventures. Now, I’m at a point where I’m not just comfortable but eager to embrace risks, both in my art and business.
Sure, the cycle keeps spinning, but with each revolution, you become more advanced, more creative, and find a deeper sense of peace.
Here’s to the continuous journey of growth and evolution!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
One challenge I’ve been actively addressing is avoiding the pitfall of overloading myself with tasks. Being a devoted Capricorn, I firmly believe in the power of hard work to yield desired results. However, managing RAW Artists Canada, juggling new designs and performances for Jojee Apparel, and tackling a laundry list of other projects and goals can sometimes feel like, well, a whole lot.
When the overwhelm sets in, my go-to strategy is to compartmentalize my tasks. I mark out completion goals and work my way backward, setting monthly, daily, hourly and sometimes even minute-by-minute targets. This approach ensures I stay on track and avoid falling too far behind.
As I mentioned earlier, timed sessions are my lifeline. Every day, all day, I dive into focused tasks. Take, for instance, dedicating one hour solely to social media content creation. I turn off my phone and all notifications, immersing myself in the work. This method allows me to power through a substantial amount of tasks, and the quality of my work reaches new heights compared to when I’m pulled in multiple directions.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.RAWartists.com
http://www.jojeeapparel.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawartistscanada/
https://www.instagram.com/jojeeapparel/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rawartistscanada
https://www.facebook.com/jojeeapparel - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebylow/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rawartistscan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rawartistscanada
Image Credits
Tim Sandik Ded Pixel https://www.instagram.com/dedpixel/
