If you've participated in any of my journaling workshops or have been reading my posts for a while, you know that there was a time I was petrified to write. I was paralyzed by the belief that the written word had a permanence and power, with consequences that I could only see as negative. There was danger there, I was sure, even if I didn’t know what I was afraid of, and I could not gather up enough courage to face those fears.
Today I share in the joy of expressing myself in words, pictures, and even doodles, because I have embraced that power – that very same power I only new as negative, now is the key to my serenity.
Today when I put my thoughts on paper they become alive. And when I share my visions with others, they are real and, though they may frighten me, they no longer paralyze me.
Even more amazing is that by sharing those dreams with others, on these pages, in my Mastermind, or the Artist's Way Creative Cluster I facilitate, I know that I am drawing myself in the direction of those dreams. I choose to allow myself to believe that the collective support of those sharing really can manifest my dreams. That gives me courage.
So today I am revisiting a gratitude list I wrote two years ago. This was a new awareness then...born from a realization that I had never written a gratitude list before and it felt good really good to write it down.
And it feels great now to know, reviewing this list, that it is exactly what I want to share today. This attitude of gratitude is a part of me, expressed and now confirmed by my Inner Wisdom. It is imprinted on my soul, just as the words have been printed on the pages of this blog, my online journal, for two years. No matter what fears lurk in my imagination, I am armed with the courage to face them, empowered by the simplest truth in these words.
Writing them gives them life, and sharing them gives me strength.
So today I affirm, once again, that I am eternally grateful for:
-knowing that a power greater than myself does work in my life in miraculous ways.
-accepting the peace I feel when I allow myself to just “BE”.
-sharing love in my life with my family, my daughter, my partner, my friends and kind, gentle strangers.
-wondering at nature, and all her amazing gifts.
-appreciating the power of the ocean, and the healing it brings to me and those I love.
-nourishing myself and strengthening my physical being.
-using my intellect, my voice and my creative imagination as an instrument for awareness and change.
-knowing and accepting the existence of pure joy.
-appreciating the incredible women who are my teachers, mentors, and supporters, who gently push me to face my fears and remind me that anything is possible!
-allowing myself to dream BIG (after all these years) and to acknowledge that playing “small” no longer serves me or the universe.
And today I will add, I am grateful to serve and support all who are drawn to my message and my work. I am truly blessed to be inspired by my life experiences to use my gift of compassion to teach, to mentor and to encourage you to find your courage and to live your dreams.
What are you grateful for today? I encourage you to share your thoughts. Give thanks and celebrate, even the littlest of things.
In the spirit of wisdom, wellness and prosperity…
I wish for you everything you dream, and more!
Nanette
Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Yes, you CAN! Become a Master of Your Authentic Business Marketing.
And it all begins with keeping what I call a Baby Steps Business Journal.
Recently I’ve been surprised by how many women solo-preneurs and entrepreneurs I know who are absolutely terrified of writing anything about their businesses. In today’s world, there are thousands of opportunities available to establish credibility and reach audiences globally through electronic media, especially social media. I believe any business owner who finds themselves paralyzed at the thought of writing a quick blog post is at a huge competitive disadvantage.
And I believe that getting past that “writer’s block” can be as simple as starting a journal.
With a little gentle guidance and encouragement, and a commitment to leaving your critical voice behind, anyone can write. And as you do, a little bit at a time, you’ll find themes develop that are the basis for your story, your process, your product. Your authentic messaging will begin to pour onto to pages and those words can be turned into powerful marketing materials that attract your ideal clients. As you learn to communicate in your true voice, like-minded people can’t help but be drawn to you.
Will this process turn you into a professional writer? Probably not. You’ll still need to reach out to copywriters and specialists, as I do. But when you do, you’ll have great material to give them to work with.
And most importantly, you’ll no longer be so frightened that you let marketing opportunities pass you by.
So, what are you waiting for?
Pick up that dusty journal you’ve hidden away. Start a binder you can add blank or lined pages to, where you can begin to collect your ideas, thoughts, doodles. Clip out inspirations and then explore their meaning to you.
Simply, begin where you are. Start with this journal prompt at the top of a page:
I am (insert name) and today my business is ______________________________.
If someone asked you to talk about your business, what would you say? Allow yourself to just write. No judgement, no right or wrong, just write. Don’t over think this.
What kind of business do you do? How do you do it? Do you sell something or make something or provide a service? How you feel about it?
Write whatever comes to your mind, even if it’s not related to the prompt. Keep writing for 10 minutes ( or longer if you’re in the flow). And if you run out of things to write, just write, “I can’t think of anything else” until the time is up.
Commit to writing in your journal at least 3 times per week. Go to it whenever you “think” about your business. Talk to yourself about your business – in writing!
And remember, this is not about creating a finished product. Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, fowl language, creativity, blah, blah, blah, blah…just write!
I guarantee you will surprise yourself with what ends up on the pages, and you will be able to use it to market your business.
Ready to get started?
Do you live or work in South Florida? Learn how in Boca Raton. Join me as I guide an amazing group of women in “The Art of Journaling to Grow Your Business”.
Register for the 5 part series (just one per month) and receive the “Commit to Change” Value price of just $97 AND get a copy of Sandy Grason’s best selling book, Journalution.
For all the details, click here.
Questions? Email nanette@wisewellwomen.com or call 561-504-1078.
What’s holding you back?
Get started unleashing your marketing genius today! And then send me a note, or comment here to share with me how it’s going, OK?
In the spirit of wisdom, wellness and prosperity–
Nanette
And it all begins with keeping what I call a Baby Steps Business Journal.
Recently I’ve been surprised by how many women solo-preneurs and entrepreneurs I know who are absolutely terrified of writing anything about their businesses. In today’s world, there are thousands of opportunities available to establish credibility and reach audiences globally through electronic media, especially social media. I believe any business owner who finds themselves paralyzed at the thought of writing a quick blog post is at a huge competitive disadvantage.
And I believe that getting past that “writer’s block” can be as simple as starting a journal.
With a little gentle guidance and encouragement, and a commitment to leaving your critical voice behind, anyone can write. And as you do, a little bit at a time, you’ll find themes develop that are the basis for your story, your process, your product. Your authentic messaging will begin to pour onto to pages and those words can be turned into powerful marketing materials that attract your ideal clients. As you learn to communicate in your true voice, like-minded people can’t help but be drawn to you.
Will this process turn you into a professional writer? Probably not. You’ll still need to reach out to copywriters and specialists, as I do. But when you do, you’ll have great material to give them to work with.
And most importantly, you’ll no longer be so frightened that you let marketing opportunities pass you by.
So, what are you waiting for?
Pick up that dusty journal you’ve hidden away. Start a binder you can add blank or lined pages to, where you can begin to collect your ideas, thoughts, doodles. Clip out inspirations and then explore their meaning to you.
Simply, begin where you are. Start with this journal prompt at the top of a page:
I am (insert name) and today my business is ______________________________.
If someone asked you to talk about your business, what would you say? Allow yourself to just write. No judgement, no right or wrong, just write. Don’t over think this.
What kind of business do you do? How do you do it? Do you sell something or make something or provide a service? How you feel about it?
Write whatever comes to your mind, even if it’s not related to the prompt. Keep writing for 10 minutes ( or longer if you’re in the flow). And if you run out of things to write, just write, “I can’t think of anything else” until the time is up.
Commit to writing in your journal at least 3 times per week. Go to it whenever you “think” about your business. Talk to yourself about your business – in writing!
And remember, this is not about creating a finished product. Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, fowl language, creativity, blah, blah, blah, blah…just write!
I guarantee you will surprise yourself with what ends up on the pages, and you will be able to use it to market your business.
Ready to get started?
Do you live or work in South Florida? Learn how in Boca Raton. Join me as I guide an amazing group of women in “The Art of Journaling to Grow Your Business”.
Register for the 5 part series (just one per month) and receive the “Commit to Change” Value price of just $97 AND get a copy of Sandy Grason’s best selling book, Journalution.
For all the details, click here.
Questions? Email nanette@wisewellwomen.com or call 561-504-1078.
What’s holding you back?
Get started unleashing your marketing genius today! And then send me a note, or comment here to share with me how it’s going, OK?
In the spirit of wisdom, wellness and prosperity–
Nanette
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Can Creativity and Discipline Co-Exist?
For the past few years, my personal mission has been to present my most authentic self to world each and every day. My authentic self is my most creative self, and yet, seemingly in contradiction to my mission, I am a successful operations manager now committed to the life of an entrepreneur as a business consultant.
As I counted my blessings in 2008 and set goals for 2009 I kept hearing the question – how do I honor and integrate my creative side with the discipline I know it takes to grow a small business and to lead a fulfilled and happy life?
And how can I help the passionate women I know answer the same question?
One thing is very clear—“disciplined” does not typically make the list of words any one would use to describe me. Self-discovery, for me, is all about creating, allowing, and exploring in a pure, natural flow. Professionally, I support current management philosophies that encourage the creative process in problem solving. I explore myself each day by writing in a journal, sometimes sketching in it, too.
If I commit to that activity each day, isn’t that a routine even if I don’t do it at exactly 7 am each morning? Doesn’t that take discipline?
And doesn’t writing engage my creativity?
And if I ask myself two simple questions each day, without fail, and focus on the answers, doesn’t that take discipline, too?
In my ongoing practice of self-discovery I have learned to uncover limiting beliefs, and certainly identifying myself as not having discipline is one of those.
So, what is this thing, called discipline, I don’t think I have, anyway?
Dictionary.net gave me these clues:
1. Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control; habit of obedience.
Now I see why this word evokes some repulsion.
Rules, submissiveness, control and obedience…these words are the epitome of anti-creative and do nothing to support imagination, inspiration and innovation, signature traits of the entrepreneurial spirit.
And aren’t the best leaders those that “think outside the box”, sometimes bending the rules? Certainly, being submissive never got anyone recognized for his or her contribution to an organization. Aren’t most breakthroughs born of some form of disobedience?
But as I read on, this came next:
2. To accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring under control so as to act systematically; to train to act together under orders; to teach subordination to; to form a habit of obedience in; to drill.Ok, so the “obedience” thing still makes me tense, but now I’m getting closer to a definition I can appreciate and embrace…to accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring under control as to act systematically.
And then:
Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience. –C. J. Smith.
Now I get it—being a creative soul does not require me to live in chaos!
Order and regularity can be the foundation for the serenity that provides me the freedom to create. Out of simple systematic processes will come the moments of inspiration that are the new programs of my future. And simple, regular, disciplined actions taken will propel me toward my vision and goals.
I will grow a successful small business teaching others how to integrate simple, disciplined processes into their lives, so that their creativity will flourish and allow them to grow, too. I engage my creative side “playing” regularly at my favorite creative re-use center, Trash2Treasurefl.org. Recently I re-arranged my workspace to support my visual inspiration.
And to support my ideal life, and create new habits, I developed a program I am now calling “The Personal Strategic Plan for the Wise Well Woman™”. And it’s working!
So, do creativity and discipline co-exist in your life? Share your thoughts with me…I’d love to hear them.
In the spirit of wisdom, wellness and prosperity…
Nanette
As I counted my blessings in 2008 and set goals for 2009 I kept hearing the question – how do I honor and integrate my creative side with the discipline I know it takes to grow a small business and to lead a fulfilled and happy life?
And how can I help the passionate women I know answer the same question?
One thing is very clear—“disciplined” does not typically make the list of words any one would use to describe me. Self-discovery, for me, is all about creating, allowing, and exploring in a pure, natural flow. Professionally, I support current management philosophies that encourage the creative process in problem solving. I explore myself each day by writing in a journal, sometimes sketching in it, too.
If I commit to that activity each day, isn’t that a routine even if I don’t do it at exactly 7 am each morning? Doesn’t that take discipline?
And doesn’t writing engage my creativity?
And if I ask myself two simple questions each day, without fail, and focus on the answers, doesn’t that take discipline, too?
In my ongoing practice of self-discovery I have learned to uncover limiting beliefs, and certainly identifying myself as not having discipline is one of those.
So, what is this thing, called discipline, I don’t think I have, anyway?
Dictionary.net gave me these clues:
1. Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control; habit of obedience.
Now I see why this word evokes some repulsion.
Rules, submissiveness, control and obedience…these words are the epitome of anti-creative and do nothing to support imagination, inspiration and innovation, signature traits of the entrepreneurial spirit.
And aren’t the best leaders those that “think outside the box”, sometimes bending the rules? Certainly, being submissive never got anyone recognized for his or her contribution to an organization. Aren’t most breakthroughs born of some form of disobedience?
But as I read on, this came next:
2. To accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring under control so as to act systematically; to train to act together under orders; to teach subordination to; to form a habit of obedience in; to drill.Ok, so the “obedience” thing still makes me tense, but now I’m getting closer to a definition I can appreciate and embrace…to accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring under control as to act systematically.
And then:
Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience. –C. J. Smith.
Now I get it—being a creative soul does not require me to live in chaos!
Order and regularity can be the foundation for the serenity that provides me the freedom to create. Out of simple systematic processes will come the moments of inspiration that are the new programs of my future. And simple, regular, disciplined actions taken will propel me toward my vision and goals.
I will grow a successful small business teaching others how to integrate simple, disciplined processes into their lives, so that their creativity will flourish and allow them to grow, too. I engage my creative side “playing” regularly at my favorite creative re-use center, Trash2Treasurefl.org. Recently I re-arranged my workspace to support my visual inspiration.
And to support my ideal life, and create new habits, I developed a program I am now calling “The Personal Strategic Plan for the Wise Well Woman™”. And it’s working!
So, do creativity and discipline co-exist in your life? Share your thoughts with me…I’d love to hear them.
In the spirit of wisdom, wellness and prosperity…
Nanette
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