CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER-NOVEMBER 30, 2000 NUMBER SEVEN

Creative Secret #7 is about Consulting with Guides. A guide is someone
who sees who you are and helps you to find your way. Guides can be
teachers, parents, relatives, mentors, psychotherapists, coaches,
astrologists, psychics, shamans, friends, colleagues, organizations,
communities, support groups, spiritual teachings, works of art, plays,
movies, books, radio and television broadcasts, Internet information, chat
sessions, or any other encounter with wisdom. My book, The 12 Secrets of
Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor, is purposely subtitled "a
portable mentor" as I interviewed 45 highly creative women to inspire and
guide you along your journey of creative discovery. As the creative path
can be lonely and fraught with arduous challenges, help from guides can
keep you centered and well advised. A few nights ago, I turned on PBS and
listened to Dr. Wayne Dyer talk about his new book, Wisdom of the Ages: 60
Days to Enlightenment, in which he selected 60 guides to
self-actualization and spiritual development. He wrote an essay about each
guide including some of my favorite people like Emerson and Thoreau. Dyer
too spent time identifying role models for his readers.

Books give us access to people we may not have the chance to encounter
personally. Reading about inspiring lives is a great first step on your
creative path. Take the time to identify people you admire and spend time
learning about their lives. As November is the month of thankfulness,
remember back to real people in your travels who have supported your
uniqueness and facilitated your growth. If you haven't thanked these
"guides" in the past, now is your opportunity. If they are no longer
living, honor them by writing down what powerful lesson they taught you.

If your life has shifted or you are feeling starved for new mentors,
actively seek out new role models and advisors for yourself. Be cautious
with whom you select as not all guides can be trusted to honor your
inspirations and allow you to follow your own path. Beware of anyone who
wants you to "do it only his or her way". Creativity is about your
essence and your calling, not theirs. To help you to get clear about what
kind of "guide" will serve you best at this stage of your process,
complete the following exercise to give you the clarity you need to make
wise choices:

EXERCISE #7-SELECTING YOUR GUIDANCE/LEARNING OPTIONS

What is your learning challenge right now? Be as concise and specific as
possible about your needs. For example, do you want to be in a writer's
group and read other people's work as well as get feedback on your own OR
do you want a writing coach/editor to focus exclusively on your own
writing? As I always tell my coaching clients, let's design a custom
program that honors your personal style and goals.

Do you need?:

New skills
Special information
Classes
Groups-what kind?
A partner or buddy
A mentor/role model in your field
Psychotherapy or other therapeutic intervention
A coach
Contacts/connections
Resources such as books, tapes, videos, etc.
Relationships with peers in your area of interest (i.e. professional
organization, practice group, etc.)
Spiritual support
Structure or a schedule
New sources of inspiration
Formal education/training

Select the options that will work best for you and then do your research.
Above all, follow your intuition and only engage with folks that you truly
resonate with. Your creative energy is precious and deserves respectful
support and guidance. Also, you can expand your own learning by guiding
others along the way too.

CREATING COMMUNITY

NEW TELECLASSES: CREATIVE PROJECT COACHING GROUPS

I heard from many of you that you were interested in my new 6 week
Creative Project Coaching Groups via a telephone bridge line, but
requested a January starting date. So now you have it! If you are ready
to commit to a creative project or a path of inspiration, this 6 week
tele-coaching class will help you to fine-tune your vision, develop, and
execute an action plan to meet your goals. If you are ready for creative
results, this group will inspire you and keep you accountable. The
tele-class will run for an hour and a half and include the following
topics:

*Visioning your Passion
*Committing to Results
*Selecting your Steps and Style
*Strategizing around Roadblocks and Saboteurs
*Leveraging Learnings
*Celebrating Outcomes

You will complete a series of exercises each week and actively pursue your
creative goals between sessions fortified with lots of stimulation and
group support! Class size is limited to ten creative souls and several
spaces are already taken, so sign up early. The class will take place
from 11:30 AM to 1 PM EST (a great way to spend a lunch break) on the
following Tuesdays: January 16 and 30, February 13 and 27, and March 13
and April 3, 2001. The fee is $300.00 and can be charged to a credit card
or paid by check. Email me at gail@creativesuccess.com or fax me at
617-323-1963 with a description of your creative interest and your billing
info. I will get back to you with the bridge line info in early January.
I may also offer an evening class as well so let me know if that works
better for you.

SPECIAL OFFER:

With a new year just around the bend, take 90 minutes to review your
career and life goals, reduce stress, and experience the joy of relaxing
visualizations to music. For the bargain price of $15.00, you can take my
life-changing workshop in the comfort of your own home and on your own
timetable. Many of my clients set aside time to do this workshop every
year! This workshop-on-audiocassette called Positive Choices: >From
Stress to Serenity includes a mini-workbook with 9 exercises and teaches
you the art of making positive life choices to increase your fulfillment
and contentment. It is the perfect gift for you and all your family and
friends. Start your new year armed with insights and new life strategies!
This tape has been featured in Human Resource Executive and in the
Lifestyle Book of Tufts Associated Health Plans. Go to the Store on my
website www.creativesucess.com for secure purchasing.

May you connect with both inner and outer guidance in December!

Gail McMeekin