In Your Success Zone Blog

Venturing into the Dark Forest - and Back Again

About 4 months ago, I embarked on "discovering my brand" so that I could serve more Creative Entrepreneurs with my services and products. I began working with a brilliant small business and branding consultant named Whitney Greer. Little did I know what a creative and confronting process this would be!

To me "discovering my brand" is another phrase for going into the "Dark Forest of the Unknown". There are reasons that I haven't gone there before.

Thank goodness Whitney HAS been into the Dark Forest with others before and knows how to get me back home at the end of each conversation. She gives me exercises to do each week and helps me see beyond my blind spots into clarity.

She recently described her process as helping people realize what they do well and talk about it clearly so that it communicates effectively to others. What a gift it is to be seen and valued!

Now that we are fairly deep into the branding process and my "core messages" are becoming clearer, I am stepping up to owning them. I have faced challenges of 

• the fear of being seen and known for my true self,
• clinging to limiting definitions of myself from the past, and  
• judging myself for past disappointments.

As I face these challenges through working with Whitney and on my own to reprogram my limiting beliefs, I find that I

• know more about myself and my work,
• feel more confident about sharing my work with others, and
• am developing some good ideas about how to go about doing that sharing. 

My branding journey perfectly describes the process of being a Creative Entrepreneur - setting off on a journey into an unexplored land; facing challenges with creative instincts; experiencing confusion and doubting success, but perservering anyway; and finally seeing the end goal within reach! 

Here's to each of you who uses your creativity every day in your work and life. I salute your courage, strength, and stamina. Journey on, Creative Entrepreneur!

Creativity on the Edge

 

I read Seth Godin's books and blogs. He's a fresh thinker and business guru for our new world (connected, constantly changing, and clamoring for community). 

Today Seth wrote a post that speaks to being creative in every situation. He encourages us to 

• find your edge in the situation
• expand it - a little or a lot  

This strategy works equally well for "Creatives" and "non-Creatives" as Seth explains. You  may find yourself more creative and willing to stretch in some areas of your business and life than others. For instance, you may be eager for new clients and customers and more reticent about changing your products and services 

The key is to find the edge and work it.

I'm noticing the pace of change accelerating. Reading Seth's post confirms that my best approach is to be WILLING TO EXPAND MY EDGES to keep surfing with the rate of change. I think that's the challenge and opportunity of our times.

Where are your edges? Are you willing to stretch them?

You can read Seth's entire post HERE.

Guiding Questions

 

I spent Inauguration Day in front of the television, watching history unfold in Washington, DC and working on my 2009 collage and Mind Maps for my intentions for the year. Our first snow of the winter blanketed the ground and trees, creating a perfect cocoon for some dreaming and scheming. 

I have 3 "umbrella" intentions for 2009. They are big - expansive even.

My intentions for 2009 are

1. I am powerful and prosperous
2. I create and contribute with love 
3. I love my life fully 

I don't know how these possibilities will present themselves. I don't know how I will have to grow to meet them. 

I do know that by year end, I will have many opportunities to grow, expand, and develop my capacity in each of the areas that are important to me.

To get more concrete about my actions for the year ahead, I did a Mind Map for each intention on my list. I now have a visual representation of what I can do to expand into my 2009 intentions.

At the end of each Mind Map, I wrote a Guiding Question that I can ask myself to "true" myself up to my goals and intentions for the year. 

I find these questions very helpful and want to share them with you so that you can think of your own Guiding Questions for the year. You are Creative after all, so creating your year is very much in your realm of possibilities!

My Guiding Questions for 2009:

1. Does this thought, belief or action contribute to Power and Prosperity (for myself and others)?
2. Is this action create and contribute love? 
3. Does this thought, belief or action expand my possibilities? 

What questions are guiding you as you create your 2009? 

Shine in 2009 Audio Available

Did you miss our January fr*ee teleclass on "How Will You Shine in '09" yesterday?

No, worries! You can listen to it HERE and download the accompanying worksheet HERE.

The class is 30 minutes long and is a good way to get clear about what you want to create this year and to get going on making it happen.

It's the latest installment in our Create Your Success Studio series. Join us for our February fr*ee teleclass on February 12th at 12 noon ET (US). Our topic is

Stop Stopping Yourself & Reach Higher!

You can register at no cost HERE. Hope you'll join me!

How Will You Shine in '09?

You're invited to our next 

CREATE YOUR SUCCESS STUDIO

held on telephone conference call on 

Thursday, January 15, 2009

12 noon Eastern US Time

Duration: 35 minutes

Led by Adele Michal, Business Coach for Creative Entrepreneurs

Register at no cost here: http://tinyurl.com/89qxch

Are you planning for this SHINY new year?

Want some assistance in getting clear on what’s possible for you this year?

If so, use this teleclass to get more specific about what you intend to create in 2009.

You will learn

• How to make a creative representation of your desires for this year
• How to make your list of intentions for 2009
• How to let your Creative Mind help bring you the opportunities and resources to let you shine in ’09!

Register here for the Fr*ee Teleclass: http://tinyurl.com/89qxch

Falling in Love with Music Again

I am a Boomer and grew up with the Beatles, the Stones, and James Taylor. I followed indie rockers and saw Madonna's first live performance in NYC in 1983. I LOVED popular music of all sorts.

Then about 10 years ago, my connection with the music scene seemed to evaporate. I didn't know who was hot. I didn't have any new faves. I had spun off into my own version of "Oldies" radio.

That ended yesterday, when my fabulous hairdresser, Helen Ingersoll of Haven Salon in Hillsborough, NC, introduced me to Pandora.com.

Pandora asks you for a musician you like and then through magic of the "Music Genome Project" starts playing songs from that musician and others with similar songs. It is FREE streaming music, and you can set up any number of "radio stations" to suit your different moods. Of course, you can purchase the music you like too.

In two days I have discovered and rediscovered artists and music I have been missing for 10 years! I still like the music I grew up with, but I'm also appreciating younger musicians now. They expand my sense of creativity.

Thank you, Pandora and Helen, for helping me get grooving on my music once again!

Creating from Nothing

A Man Named Pearl is a documentary film about Pearl Fryar of Bishopsville, SC. For 15 years he has been growing a garden of plants discarded by the local nursery and shaping them into topiary that attract visitors from all over the world.

When he began, Pearl was not a gardener, horticulturist, or trained in topiary sculpture, yet this is what he has become through his vision and his passion for his garden.

Pearl came from humble beginnings. He is African-American and the son of sharecroppers. He wanted his garden to be awarded "Garden of the Month" by the local garden club. No black gardener had ever won "Garden of the Month" in Bishopville before. 

That didn't stop Pearl. He worked tirelessly after work every night to train and clip his shrubbery and trees into beautiful sculptural shapes. It took 2 years before one bush had grown enough to be shaped into his first topiary. Today his 3 acres is a lush, peaceful garden of sculptured plants born from his creative imagination. 

Bus tours and school groups come to visit Pearl and his garden. He has been in national magazines and on 60 Minutes, the SC Museum of Art owns one of his topiaries, and the town of Bishopville has planted the downtown traffic median with 8 of his topiary to draw more tourists to the small town. Horticulurists wonder at what he has accomplished because they have never seen anything like Pearl's garden before. 

Pearl continues creating his living sculptures and remembers where he came from. He is particularly committed to encouraging young people to believe in themselves and live into their dreams. He has seen what a vision and committed action has done in his garden. That's what he shares with the world. To learn more visit his website HERE.

Can Pearl Fryar inspire you? What will you are envisioning for 2009? What can you "create from nothing" this year? 

Resolutions or Intentions to Create?

 

It's that time again! Making up the list of Resolutions for the New Year is as much a part of the holiday  season as parties, gifts, and reconnecting with family and friends.

Well, I'm not doing it. I'm not making a Resolutions list any more - it's too durn much like going on a diet - which is almost always on everyone's Resolutions list and gets shuttled by the end of January. 

Nope, I'm making a "What I Intend to Create in 2009" list. It just is more fun and inviting. And I know I will actually do what is on that list.

As I look back on my Intentions to Create list from 2008, I find I have achieved everyone of my intentions. On my (very short on purpose) list were

1. I write daily
2. I love myself and others 
3. I actively engage in my life  

I didn't know how these intentions would show up or what I would have to do to become the person that does these things. But this year Life has offered my opportunities to grow in each of the areas listed. And I have found ways to respond so that I am writing, loving, and engaging more now than a year ago.

So I'm upping the ante for 2009 and going bigger. Here's my list of what I Intend to Create in 2009:

1. I am powerful and prosperous 
2. I create and contribute 
3. I love life fully  

Yep, it'll be a stretch, but I know that Life and I will work it out.

How about you? What do you intend to create in 2009? 

Can Social Media Enhance Your Creativity?

You have no doubt heard by now about Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter - three of the most popular Social Media platforms. You may be wondering what all the fuss is about and why you would want to add one more thing to your daily TO DO list. Wouldn't it be a distraction?

Here are three reasons to get involved with Social Media:

1. It's fun, and fun enhances creativity.  
2. It reduces the isolation of working alone and puts you in touch with people from all over the world with all sorts of interests, giving you more fodder for your creative process.
3. You can "check your pulse" about what you are doing, giving yourself the self-reflection of journaling but in jiffy. 

I have an account at all three Social Media platforms mentioned above, but must admit to being hooked on Twitter at this point. I've been a member there for four days, have 23 followers (friends) and am following 36 people (I read what they are up to). I love it because 

• It's quick (140 characters only) to answer the question, "What are you doing?", 
• I'm connected with people in my area (like a friend who no longer answers email but responds to Twitter "tweets") and around the world (Phillipines, China, and England), and
• I'm "listening in" on conversations from people in totally different professions from mine as well as meeting folks with similar interests.

Social Media is about authenticity, connecting, and building relationships. It provides the "watercooler conversations" that many of us Creative Entrepreneurs no longer enjoy since we often work alone. 

Before you dismiss Social Media, give it a try. Here's how:

To get going on Twitter (lots going on - quickly)

1. Go here. 
2. Create your free account. 
3. Connect with me on Twitter here.
4. Click the "Follow" button under my picture. I'll get a notice and will start following you too. That way we can interact online.
5. Start "tweeting" by answering the question "What are you doing?" and clicking the UPDATE button.
6. Go here to search for people you know or interests you would like to "follow" (like beading, painting, graphic design, etc.)
7. Check in as you like.

To start using Facebook (more social):

1. Go here. 
2. Open your free account.
3. Put my name (Adele Michal) in the search box on the upper right.  
4. Click "View Profile" when my listing comes up. 
5. Choose "Add as a Friend" on the right. 
6. I'll get the message and connect with you as your friend. 
7. Check in and post to find out what folks are doing and to connect. 

To use LinkedIn (more professional):

1. Go here.
2. Start your free account and log in. 
3. Put my name (Adele Michal) in the search box on the upper right.
4. Click on "Add to my network".  
5. I'll get a notice and will connect with you. 
6. Fill in your profile. 
7. Search for other friends, colleagues, and interest areas.

You may find that the stimulation of a different window on the world enhances your creativity. And you might get hooked too!

Habits that Promote Creativity: Fun Exercise

Every Saturday afternoon about 20 women and men hop in the pool at the UNC Wellness Center to get bossed around for an hour by the diminutive Noriko Brantley in her weekly Advanced Aqua Aerobics Class. We are devoted fans of her rigorous exhortations to "Do More" and "Go Faster".

Noriko's class is a habit that promotes my creativity. It gives me a chance to get "out of my head" and off my rear and move! Today I found myself easily sorting out some ideas about my business while doing kicks in the water. I left the class happily energized.

In addition to having fun in the water and gaining more business clarity, I am inspired by Noriko. Today is her 52nd birthday, and she looks fabulous. She was a body builder and now is a personal trainer and health and fitness educator. Since she was 40, her birthday wish is to look and feel better every year. She says that for the past 5 years, she's in the best shape ever. 

Noriko is my personal Dara Torres and a weekly inspiration. Happy Birthday, Noriko!