We recently connected with Maria N. Listman and have shared our conversation below.
Maria, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
This is a loaded question for someone like me, and I’m glad I have a chance to chat about it. The short answer is, I’m still working on it! And there is a lot of beauty in that statement. I say this because my purpose has grown and developed over time. I’m in my 40’s, and I’m just starting to follow my heart’s desires professionally. But the blessing of getting older (and somewhat wiser) is I realize that I get to decide how I want to live.
It has taken me years to collect enough courage to be a professional artist and writer. I was blocking myself due to a variety of excuses. But there comes a time where you can stay, and live with it. Or you can grow, no matter how awkward and painful it may be. I’m not one to back down from a challenge, so I chose growth. I truly believe that if you get out of your own way, your purpose starts to reveal itself. Sometimes, it’s been staring you down all along.
And the fun part about all of this for me is realizing my purpose is very much so tied into who I was as a child. Before the pressures of adulthood, parenthood or anything else that has come my way. I’m just so grateful that I’ve chosen to follow my heart. I like to think that God is directing me, and cheering me on!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the gal behind Blue Skies and Grit, a spot where ag and art meet. I’m a professional agriculture journalist that also has a passion project where I highlight a farmer’s best practices and grit. I get to interview some of the most important, and hard working folks in our communities – farmers! I also write personal short stories in hopes to inspire my readers. When I’m not writing, I make things with my hands. I’m a painter and seashell artist. You can find my art and written work on my website, and my shell art can also be found at Local By Design in Annapolis.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three things that continue to be impactful for me are gratitude, grit and serving others. I named my business adventure Blue Skies and Grit for a good reason. Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy; it takes determination and courage. Your mindset plays a huge role into how successful you’ll be. I lean towards a blue skies state of mind, which means I’m looking for the good in situations. When I lead with gratitude and grit, I can be of good service to others.
If you’re just starting off as a business owner, I would encourage you to know your why. It’s important. Why are you doing this type of work? What is your reason behind it? How can you serve your community? What problem are you solving? Tap into your God-given talents, do good, and enjoy the ride.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
This is something I’ve been working on the past couple years. I’m currently a business of one, so I wear a lot of hats. And it’s easy to fall into the trap of overwhelm if I don’t set boundaries. Health and wellness are top priorities to me, so I consider this an important topic. My advice is to simplify your day. Pick your top three priorities, and get them done. Just three. The rest can wait.
I also think it’s important to take a step back from your work. Put down your phone, go for a walk outside, and let nature wrap it’s arms around you. It’s therapeutic, and free. Another thing I do is dance it off! I turn on some music, and shake off the funk. Moving your body cures a lot of things.
And I like to share my concerns with someone I trust. Speaking your challenges out loud is a game changer. Prayer is also powerful, and so is expressing gratitude. It calms your nervous system down, and helps you refocus.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blueskiesandgrit.com
- Instagram: blueskies.and.grit
- Facebook: blueskiesandgrit
Image Credits
Maria N. Listman
