Authentically You!

 "I don’t get really worked up about competition in the marketplace and I’m in some very crowded niches! Why? Because others can copy my content, my teaching points and even my methods, but I don’t stress out about it because they can’t BE me!" Carrie Wilkerson: The Barefoot Executive


I love this quote! Carrie is my coach this year and she has such a good perspective on being authentic.

Where are you on the journey to authenticity? Do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy? Do you wonder why you do your art, when so many are doing something similar and some are even better than you? Do you wonder what will make your product, your painting, your song, your book unique?

The answer is ... YOU!

You are the sum of your life experiences. Your story is what makes you stand out among the
crowd. One of the blessings of social media and the Internet is that people can communicate quickly and easily. There's no excuse. So tell your story or the story behind your song, your painting, your dance or your latest design.

Fans are no longer satisfied with the isolated superstar. They want to reach out and
connect with you. They want to feel like they know the artists behind the painting, the song, the book.

Are you hiding in your studio? I urge you to reach out and communicate with your fans. Take the attitude of giving, helping, serving, encouraging and offering your services to shape the next generation of creatives.

If we can get our eyes off of ourselves long enough, we can change the world. Start by finding someone who needs your words of encouragement. Who knows. . . you may change a life!

It's All About Relationships ... Community Rules!

Do you feel you need other people?

I've been looking back over my life, considering the breakthroughs I've had with my creativity. I've often quoted the old saying: "I'm a jack of all trades, but master of none." On one level that is very true, but I've come to realize that the one thing I might say I actually "master" is encouragement. It's probably my most consistent and natural gifting. That's why I started this blog. I hope to encourage you, while using my gift.

That being said, I also dabble in songwriting, singing, songwriter coaching and photography. I've also worked as a fashion print model, have appeared in a few commercials, and spent years as a dancer/choreographer. Most recently, I'm writing and painting.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I realized that each breakthrough or open door in every one of these areas came through relationships ... or a term I like to use: community!

Yes, the natural gifting had to be there, but the development of the gifting, the open doors and the real breakthroughs came through knowing someone who opened the door.

It's easy to isolate ourselves, to constantly create and then 'protect' our creation by keeping it hidden, waiting for that open door. But the real opportunities come when you share your gift, play your song, share your latest idea with a friend, show your painting, post your photos on Facebook, or just ask for an opinion about your art.

Lately, I've been asking some of my Nashville friends how their 'breakthrough' came about. Without exception, they each have told me that they came about very naturally, through sharing with friends and friends of friends, when eventually, a door opened.

So I present you with the following questions:

-  Do you share your vision often?

-  Do you share your gift?

-  If not, why not?

-  What's holding you back? 

You may be just one small step away from your breakthrough. Let me encourage you ... don't hold back! Don't try to force your way . . . but naturally share your heart, your gift and your vision. Ask if you can serve with your gift, if you can help, or fill a need. Eventually, you may share your way to success.

There is a theory known as The Six Degrees of Separation. The theory is that anyone can form a chain of personal contacts leading to any other person in the world, with no more than six people in the chain.

Another old saying is, "It's all in who you know." This really is true ...
and especially as creatives living in Nashville.

Reach out to your friends and make this a big part of your strategy. The more you connect - the more chances you have to succeed!

"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open!"
Elmer Letterman

Who says learning stops when you get out of school? The fact is, we are never out of school! The thing I’ve realized about learning is that it's much more fun and productive when it’s a subject you are interested in. And it’s much more enjoyable when it’s my choice to study!

I can’t seem to get enough time lately to study all I want. I’m always on a learning spree of one sort or another. Last week was no exception. I pushed to get to Orlando for a one day seminar. Actually, it was called the "Momentum Mastermind" and it’s led by my coach, Carrie Wilkerson and fellow coach/writer/speaker Paul Evans.

We were challenged, motivated and instructed on how to make our online presence more productive. Also how to figure out what our fans want and how to fill that need.

Recently I was challenged by a scripture that talked about stewarding your talents. While reading I knew that I was being commissioned to learn how to steward my gifts. Now that I’m learning, I’m being challenged to learn how to pass these strategies on to my fellow creatives.

How many of you have noticed another creative in your field who was knocking it out of the ballpark? Their work was being featured, talked about and getting rave reviews. All the while you sit back and think that your talent is better but confused about how they are getting all the attention, while you are not.

I figured it out . . . either they are working much harder, or they know a thing or two about marketing and they are implementing those strategies.

How do you turns things around and catch up? Here's how: You determine to work harder than ever and learn everything you can about marketing, even if it’s not your area of expertise!

I’m not a marketing guru and I don’t like to sell, but I do like to meet needs and help people. I’m learning that this approach can be very productive.

The next 5 people who comment on this blog below are invited to join me in a teleseminar. Next Tuesday evening I’ll be sharing the tips I learned in Orlando to just a few.

If you have or want to have an online presence, and if you long to turn your vision into provision, please join me!

Only five slots available, so comment NOW!

A New Start - Plans Equal Productivity!

Are you off to a good start in this new year? Do you have solid goals in place and plans to reach them?

Well, I do - and they make me a bit nervous! I've found a coach who nudges me forward and holds me accountable. She will play a big part in making sure I meet my goals this year.

Why am I so determined?  I don't have a choice!

The music industry has changed and the way we've worked in the past is no longer working. So we're in the middle of "reinventing" ourselves. And I must say . . . I'm having fun and getting excited about this new direction and certain that what I'm learning can be of great help to you too.

Want to join me?

I've been learning the 'new way!'  We've got so many tools to work with and much to take advantage of. We just need to get over the obstacles and overwhelm.

If you are not using the internet, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc., to market your creativity, you are missing out on  great income-producing opportunity. Or you may be using them but don't have a plan in place to use them effectively. Either way . . . you're missing out.

I hope to lead you through some of the difficult steps and help you launch into making a living with your creative gifts.

Here is a good step to start with: My word for the new year is "CONNECT!"

Who have you been meaning to talk to? Who do you wish you could sit down with and ask a load of questions?

Well . . .  step out and send an email or make a phone call and invite them to lunch!

Most of our dreams are met through relationships. People are the 'stepping stones' to our future. I'm not suggesting that you 'use' people but genuinely 'love' people and see what happens. This thinking leads me to the Zig Ziglar quote:

"If you help enough people get what they want, you will eventually get what you want!"

Ya know what? I wholeheartedly agree with Zig!

Who can you help? They might just be the person that can help you too.

So grab your calendar, make a few calls, set up those lunches, coffees, meetings. Be prepared and know what you want. Then ask yourself, "What do I have that might be of benefit to this person?" You never know, you may be holding a key for them as well.

This is a fun way to get off to a good start!

Let me know if you want to join me by chiming in on the comment section below. Posts when you make that call and set up your appointment. Post again if your meeting turns out to be a stepping stone to your future. If you've already tried this and have a success story please share that too. 
Here's to a great new start of a great new year!

Are Artists In Touch With Their Heart's Desire

"Most of us don't know what we want; we've never defined our goals, values or passions, so we're out of touch with our hearts' desires." ~ Mark Batterson author of Wild Goose Chase~

I'm just wondering if the above quote applies to creative types . . . to musicians, dancers, poets, painters, artists, to you? Creatives are extremely talented and disciplined in their art form. At the same time, these disciplined artists are sometimes totally disorganized with their time.

Does disorganized thinking and lack of time management rob you of your ultimate goals and dreams? Do you make the most of every day? Do you know how to begin a productive day? Do you know which projects to tackle first?

If any of these questions hit a hot spot for you, it's time to make some changes, some drastic ones!

Let me help you do that by asking some questions:

1. What is your heart's desire ?

2. Are you fully alive?


3. If nothing changes in the next 5 years regarding your art and your income - are you OK with that?

4. What steps can you take that will move you in the direction of your goal for your creativity?

5. What obstacles are standing in the way?

6.What can you say NO to - that will give you more time to work on your creative endeavors?

7. Can you get up 1 hr earlier, or maybe 2, and give this time to work on your art?

8. Is there someone you can connect with that will encourage you to make headway with your art?

9. Is there a message behind your art - a greater picture or cause that you could link your art to?

10. What does the story of your life say about you thus far? Do you inspire others?

11. Is anyone helping you come up with a plan to support yourself with your art?

12. Do you know how to make real money with your art? (is there any other kind?)

13. If you need an extra $1,000 this month, do you know how to use your art to raise that money?

14. Do you think of your creative expression as a business?

I'd love to hear your answers! I'm in a transformation process myself and I'm learning how to view my creativity as a business that needs to be stewarded! I hope what I'm learning can help you too! Any questions? Fire away!

I'd like to recommend this as a wonderful tool to move you in the right direction!
It's created by my coach, Carrie Wilkerson. I can assure you that she has some answers that we as creatives need to move forward. If you want to reach you goals you must have a plan, and a way to organize your day!

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