Finish your most important work in Q4!
Imagine what it would be like to finish your most important work in Q4 with the support of other, like-minded folx.
Imagine having a sympathetic ear, and gentle reminders to keep going.
Imagine being offered grace when you find it hard to give yourself any.
Make a PACT to blaze through your key work before the year ends!
Want to skip around to the juicy details?
I got you.
What past members are saying about PACT.
I think of myself as pretty organized and I am good with deadlines. It wasn’t immediately obvious to me that PACT would be helpful to me. But when I considered joining, I realized when I focus on what I need to do, I forget to work on what I want to do. I prioritize requirements and neglect long term personal projects. So I joined PACT with that in mind and it was more useful than I ever imagined! Not only was it useful for staying on track for many different goals and timelines, I could make sure that what I wanted to accomplish stayed on my schedule.
I really appreciated having a record of, and acknowledging what I had accomplished, before diving into the next thing. It’s too easy to just move on without realizing you actually have done a lot of work.
As a freelancer, you can feel a lot of pressure to always be working, and it is healthy to be regularly checking in and making sure you are also taking care of yourself. I am great at doing things when I am accountable to someone else (like meeting deadlines) and speaking weekly gave me a way to make sure that I would also do those things where I am only accountable to myself.
Sometimes you need a hand, a push, some encouragement….and to know that you are not alone. But you need to ASK for it. “I need help” was the first line I wrote when I contacted Alisa about PACT. By setting goals, being accountable, and adapting new working habits, the weekly check-ins helped me finish writing and submitting my thesis. I want to thank Alisa for providing a safe space to make this happen.
Sometimes my own point-of-view is enough to solve a creative problem when I’m making work or sharing it. But when it isn’t, PACT gives me a place to gather diverse views. And I feel safe sharing, knowing Alisa is facilitating; she’s a careful listener and collaborator who encourages all of us to do the same.
It’s not rare for creatives to work alone, whatever their media might be. PACT gives easy and needed access to community.
Hi, I’m Alisa! I’m an artist and facilitator. I tend to be task-oriented and structured, and I value deep empathy and community. I also have a background in program/project management, training, and facilitation.
I have successfully facilitated PACT groups for over two years! The success of these communities, and the dynamics we co-create, inspire me to want similar groups running throughout the year, all over the world! That’s a tall order, and not one I’ll manage on my own any time soon. Until then, I’m offering this community to specifically help you do your best work.
When you join PACT you’re making a commitment to yourself, and to finish your most important work in Q4.
I don’t know you yet, but I already know you’re worth that commitment.
PACT is a group of 4-5 peers, all creatives. Each person has something to make progress on. It can be as ambitious as launching a new part of your business, or as mundane as working regularly on an ongoing project. Regardless of the scale of your project, if you’re still reading, you’re probably interested in some support.
Our primary tool is a shared document where each member has their own section. You’ll enter your quarterly goals, then break them into monthly segments. You’ll update your progress each week, noting how you are aligned with your monthly and quarterly intentions.
We also have a group chat where we have the opportunity to cheer you on and ask you questions. We’ll do weekly check ins over Zoom.
These tools allow us to work asynchronously, within our unique schedules. Gentle, persistent reminders keep you on track while minimizing guilt and overwhelm.
Why is this called PACT?
PACT is an acronym for Peer Accountability for Creative Thriving. This name was offered by a member of the very first group I ran, and I like it very much. We are a peer group of creatives who will be working together to achieve our goals. We will hold each other accountable, while offering support and grace. And we will make a commitment, a pact if you will, to do this for all of Q4.
Who is PACT for?
Creative folx who need support to achieve their most important work over the quarter.
Artisans
You have markets to research, apply for, and run; products to create; and marketing and sales outreach to do.
Freelancers
You have specific projects you need to accomplish over the quarter. You have commissions or portfolio pieces to work on; a project to develop and pitch; and marketing and sales outreach to do.
Independent Artists
You have one or more projects running over the quarter and you need to make regular progress on them. You have research to do; grants to apply for; and marketing to do.
Whether your project is underway or under development, if you want a supportive community to nudge you along when you falter, offer grace when you fall, and celebrate your wins (no matter how small), this is a good place for you.
If you are willing to offer support, grace, and celebration to other members, no judgement and light on advice (unless explicitly requested), this is a good place for you.
If you’re willing to commit to working together over Q4 (Oct, Nov, Dec), this is a good place for you.
How does this work anyway?
- Click any of the orange buttons on this page, or click here, to fill out the intake form.
- Alisa will respond to you within 2-3 days.
- Only 3-4 applicants will be accepted in order to keep the group focused. Everyone else will be offered a spot on a waitlist for the next program.
- There is no fee for this program. It is a peer group supporting each other. Your participation is required to make it successful.
FAQs
Is this free? Why?
At present, I facilitate these communities at no cost.
There is plenty of value in these experiences, both for myself and for members. I am exploring charging a fee in the future, but until that unknown future time, I offer this service at no cost.
What do I need to participate?
You will need:
- A gmail address (this makes using Google Sheets and Google Calendar much easier)
- WhatsApp or FB Messenger (we’ll decide which of these to use as a group)
- A Zoom account (you can sign up for a free one here.)
- Willingness to participate 🙂
What months are in the quarter?
Q1 – January, February, March
Q2 – April, May, June
Q3 – July, August, September
Q4 – October, November, December
What does synchronous mean?
It means we will meet for weekly video calls, and we will all be there at the same time (with flexibility, of course).
We also have a group chat where we can throw questions out to each other and ask for help when needed. While you’re not expected to reply immediately, a timely response is very helpful.
What if I don’t have the time for this?
If you don’t have the time for this, then you don’t. That’s ok.
YOU get to decide what your priorities are, not some lady on the internet.
But if you ever feel you do want to be part of this community, drop me a line.
What if I fall off the bandwagon?
You may.
That’s ok.
The community will be here for you when you’re able to climb back on.
I’ve had members need to drop off for weeks at a time. They get support and value from knowing we’re still here. And when they come back they can share their experiences and what they learned, bringing value back to the community as well.
Why are you offering this program?
I started my first peer group because I needed the support. I reached out to other creatives who were also working solo and we started meeting weekly. The support of that community led me, and the other members, to many accomplishments I’m proud of. That said, the deeper value is in the process. It’s the process of being witnessed and of witnessing, of feeling supported and offering support.
The success of these communities, and the dynamics that are co-created, inspire me to want similar groups running throughout the year, all over the world! That’s a tall order, and not one I’ll manage on my own any time soon. Until then, I’ll keep offering this type of program as often as I can.
If that sounds interesting to you, I invite you to sign up.
What if I don’t participate enough?
The definition of “enough” is entirely yours. I hope you will participate, because it’s you that makes this group sparkle.
We’ll have a group chat that you can pop into whenever you like. We’ll have a shared document that you can work on in your own time.
I’ve had participants with relatively low participation still find great value in knowing the group is here. And I’ll be here to ask you questions and nudge you along.
What they’re saying about PACT
I love this group. Being part of it helps me focus my thoughts about projects and progress. I love the support and openness of my group, and especially having a safe place to be vulnerable with people I know are in my corner.
I enjoyed the structure, ritual and community PACT provided: speaking weekly with a fellow creative. It’s good to share ideas and resources for similar issues facing creatives and small business people. I enjoyed feeling like I had a colleague, since I am used to working on my own!
By the end of the quarter, I had met my requirements, and made good progress on the personal project. I had a better sense of what I needed to do in subsequent quarters to see my project through to completion.
I would definitely recommend PACT to other artists and creatives!
PACT gave me the opportunity to pause, reflect, and write down my goals. We used a S.M.A.R.T. approach and that helped make my goals more achievable. The shared spreadsheet allowed me to revisit my goals and see my progress.
Just knowing that I have support, or even a group of people to sound board with, is incredible. Over our 3 months together, I discovered a lot more about myself through our discussions and my own reflection. I have learned more about boundaries, such as how to not overload and overwhelm myself. I received the hand holding I needed, in a healthy way.
Refund Policy
There is no fee to become a member of PACT.
If you feel the need to withdraw from the group, you are welcome to do so. However, I would encourage you to stick it out to the end. Sometimes the benefit you take away can be different than what you came for.
Imagine yourself in December, having completed your most important work in Q4 and ready for the holidays!
Imagine what it will feel like knowing you accomplished what you set out to do.
It’s amazing to have the opportunity to ask, “Does this make sense?” Other voices that can affirm choices, or offer alternatives, are incredibly helpful. Alisa’s gentle guidance keeps the group organized and moving forward. It’s a great matrix to grow creative practice.
This experience has been life creating for me, and I told Alisa I want to join again!
Everyone in the community was focused on their goals, which helped me stay on track. And the community was so supportive and encouraging. I felt welcomed and comfortable.