Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ulka Simone Mohanty. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ulka, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
I had a mentor once tell me that If you’re blocked creatively in one area, switch to a different medium and the juices will start flowing again. Sometimes it’s painting something on a canvas (regardless of your level of talent), watching a movie or going to a museum to look at art. Also, it’s no joke how clean the fridge can get when you have a piece of writing you need to get done.
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?
As a performer, I’m always focused on whatever gig I am currently on, whether it’s voiceover, acting or dance and/or working to secure the next gig, and of course continually trying to find learning avenues to improve my skills. Recently, I’ve taken up writing, and have even joined an online writer’s group to keep me accountable. We’ll see where this goes, but I’m excited to entertain a new creative outlet!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think one of the most impactful qualities, especially if you are in the arts or trying to establish your own business is to keep a balance between being flexible with how things pan out and staying true to your dreams. It’s a challenging dance to be solid with what you want to achieve but not be married to how you think it should progress .
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I get overwhelmed it’s usually when I have too many things to do (often little things) and I don’t know where to start. I usually make a list of the things, and highlight what truly needs to be done today and what can be postponed to another day. More often than not, I realize not everything needs to be done when I think it needs to be and not every social obligation needs to be met. And once I decide: okay, “I don’t have to look at item x until Thursday so I won’t even think about it now,” it does automatically help calm me down and and give my brain and body some breathing space.
Contact Info:
- Website: ulkamohanty.com
- Instagram: ulkam
- Twitter: ulkam
Image Credits
Andrea Hausmann, Gene Reed, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
