Happy New Year! I propose we kick things off by creating personal manifestos that will see us through 2023 and beyond! By defining our own personal vision, mission, strategy and tactics, never again will we need to ask ourselves, ‘What should I be doing right now?’ or ‘Is this course of action right for me?’. 

I’ve invited my friend and former coach, Kim Witten, whose work focuses on strategic expert thinking, to guide us through this incredibly beneficial process. Kim is also an experienced crafter and we discuss different mental approaches to picking up new skills, and how she applies self coaching through her journey as a beginner sewer.

Support the podcast over on Patreon!

Find more about Kim Witten and her coaching on her website. 

Sign up to her weekly ‘Hold That Thought’ newsletter to help you turn your overthinking into expert thinking. 

Start developing your vision with Kim’s free Vision Statement Worksheet. 

And here’s more from Kim on the differences between vision, mission, strategy and roadmap.

Outline of a manifesto (AKA plan or anything else you wish to call it!):

Check Your Thread / My Manifesto:

Vision: 

A world where the impact on the environment is factored into every decision.

Mission:

Strategy:

Tactics:

In addition to my manifesto, I outlined my values and principles:

Kim’s best investment in 2022 was signing up for sewing classes at Ministry of Craft in Manchester, UK. There she learned to make this wiggle dress (image by Alison Leese at Ministry of Craft):

Next up on Kim’s sewing table is a project from Gertie Sews Vintage Casual book:

The Pietra Pants pattern by Closet Core Patterns was a game-changer for Kim, allowing her for the first time to make custom-fitting trousers that suit her stature. Her first version, made at Ministry of Craft:

For more information about Me-Made-May and how you can take part in 2023, check out this page.