CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER NUMBER 39 - December 16, 2003

CREATIVE SUC^ESS NEWSLETTER
Gail McMeekin, LICSW
Career/Creativity Coach and Author
Mailto:gail@creativesuccess.com
http://www.CreativeSuccess.com
NUMBER 39 - December 16, 2003

SUC^ESS STRATEGIES FOR CREATIVE SOULS SERIES

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WELCOME SUBSCRIBERS
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This free newsletter goes to subscribers only and is sent out the middle of
each month. If you have missed any issues, you can have them sent to you by
following the instructions at my website
http://www.creativesuccess.com/info/news.html at the bottom of the page. We
recently discovered that several Spam filters are blocking the word "success"
so if you have not been receiving this newsletter regularly, check your
filter. Please forward this newsletter in its entirety to other like-minded
friends and colleagues who might enjoy it. We appreciate your support.

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TELECLASS EXTRAVAGANZA IN JANUARY
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SPECIAL CAREER EVENT FOR ARTISTS - AT YOUR REQUEST:

You asked for it. I have had numerous emails from artists and creative
business folks requesting information about how to promote their art and
locate resources for advertising, mailing, galleries, websites, etc. So, I
have recruited the quintessential expert in the field, Caroll Michels, author
of the classic book "How To Survive and Prosper as an Artist" and developer of
the artist's website: http://www.artisthelpnetwork.com/. On January 13th from
1 PM-2 PM EST, we are honored to have Caroll, who is an artist, career coach,
and an artist advocate, as our one hour teleclass guest to answer your
questions about what it takes to be a successful artist in today's
marketplace. Don't miss this great opportunity to talk with Caroll and get the
latest information on careers in art, and bring your friends. To register,
contact Liz Murphy at mailto:Liz@CreativeSuccess.com with Caroll in the
Subject Line. Teleclass fee will be $15.00. Space is limited, so sign up
today.

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GOAL ACHIEVEMENT TELECLASS - FREE

January 6, 2004 8-9 PM EST

*Do you set goals every New Year's Day and then never achieve them?
*Are you setting the same goals this year that you did last year?
*Do you need a support system to help you to stay on track with your
intentions?

In this one-hour teleclass with Gail, you will learn 5 key strategies that
will help you to actually complete your goals for 2004. Use the goal-setting
guidelines that follow in this newsletter: Strategy #14 to get ready for the
class and listen to the FREE REAL AUDIO CLIP of the "Overcoming Creative
Obstacles Workshop" available to you on the Homepage of our website at
http://www.creativesuccess.com. Bring your goals and your list of obstacles to
the call and we will help you to design an action plan that works for you!
Join this supportive community and make this your year of transformation. To
sign up as one of the 50 people for this event, please email Liz Murphy at
mailto:Liz@CreativeSuccess.com with Goal Teleclass in the Subject line.

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MANAGING THE FEAR GREMLIN TELECLASS SERIES: SPECIAL OFFER
Dates: January 20 and 27, 2004 at 1-2 PM EST

Fear is one of the top saboteurs for your success. The fear gremlin squashes
our dreams and clips our wings. When fear wins out, our self esteem and sense
of control over our lives simply vanishes and we suffer big time. As we enter
2004, do you want fear to undermine your fulfillment once again or do you want
to stand up and fight back? In this two week teleclass program with Gail, you
will learn how to choose the best risks for your next steps, so you can take
action and make your visions happen. You will learn a set of powerful
strategies to put you back in control of your creativity and your life. It's
time for you to keep your promises to yourself and release the grip that the
fear gremlin has on your intentions and your personal power. This class will
give you the know-how and the tools to create a turnaround in your creative
process and empower your personal and professional goals. The price is $39.00
for the series. To register, contact Liz Murphy at
mailto:Liz@CreativeSuccess.com with Fear Teleclass in the Subject line. Make
2004 the year that you leap ahead with your creative goals.

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STRATEGY FOR CREATIVE SOULS #14: Goal Setting

Actually writing down your goals is a proven success strategy. It works. Also,
if you add visuals, like a collage or a symbol of what you are trying to
accomplish, it works even better. Before you set yourself up for failure this
year with your overly long, unrealistic, and non-specific list of New Year's
Resolutions, stop. Change is experiential and we have to long for it on an
intense emotional level. We have to crave it in our bones. It has to be urgent
in some way not just another "should" on society's list of do's and don'ts.
Goals have to be personal and desired on a body, mind, and spirit level to
warrant the challenges of changing our behavior, breaking old habits, and
taking risks. So before you leap into a goal-setting process, consider the
following:

*What is a goal?

A goal is a statement of intention a target.

Goals are supported by:

-> Writing them down
-> Stating them clearly and specifically
-> Being realistic and time limited
-> Conceptualizing them positively and in action language
-> Working with an accountability buddy, coach, or team

Strategies:

1) Select ONE goal to focus on for January 1 through March 31

Example: I am going to exhibit my art work in a gallery in the fall of 2004
including an opening event attended by 100 people where I sell 5 paintings

2) Write a history of your close encounters with this goal and identify what
has worked before and what has failed, so you can leverage your strengths and
resolve your resistance.

Examples: I have not been able to find the right gallery, I'm not sure which
artworks to sell, I don't have a mailing list vs. my art teacher told me to
contact Mary at Gallery X and she liked my work, but I never followed through,
I did a marketing campaign for my son's school and it was successful, etc.

3) Write your goal in a place where you will see it first thing every morning,
journal about your progress, and visualize your success

4) Schedule in RED your goal time each week in your calendar or Palm and if
you don't keep that appointment, double up the following week. You owe the
"goal bank" when you miss your time.

5) Write out a detailed Action Plan so the steps in the process are clear

6) Get support attend my Goal Achievement Teleclass on January 6th at 12 Noon
EST (see above description to register) Stating your goals out loud and
enlisting a support system dramatically increases your chances of goal
attainment.

We want you to start 2005 with a whole new set of higher level goals!!!!!!

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CREATIVE ACTS AND RESOURCES
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A Treat for Poets and Fiction Writers

Gifted poet and teacher Kim Addonizio (who was also at presenter at AROHO with
me this summer) and is a National Book Award finalist for Poetry, and novelist
Jessica Barksdale Inclan are teaching a Women Writer's Retreat on Whidbey
Island in Washington on March 11-14, 2004. This retreat is limited to 8
writers and will include readings, workshops, writing sessions, food,
wine, kayaking, hiking and inspiration. To register, email
mailto:aleebron@aol.com. For workshop schedule, go to
http://addonizio.home.mindspring.com/calendar.html.

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A Gem

Marguerite Maria Rivas, widely regarded as the de facto poet laureate of
Staten island, NY, (another AROHO connection) is the author of a wonderful
collection of heart-felt and compelling poems called "Poetry Cannot Save You"
(Quarantine Press, 2003). My favorite is "There Must Be An Anxiety Ray" but
her range is broad and potent. To order her small book, email:
mailto:quarantine_press@yahoo.com.

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Wise Elders

Crones Unlimited–a press that honors the poetry and prose of extraordinary
elders (Wisdom Keepers) who live fully and powerfully- was created by Mary
Fogarty (also AHOHO) and seeks to preserve the wisdom of the senior members of
our society and facilitate the sharing of their knowledge and insights. Check
out their website at:
http://www.cronesunlimited.com/.

For more information about AROHO, check out:
http://www.aroomofherownfoundation.org/.

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New Hampshire Women's Creativity Community

Former educator new to Derry, NH and pursuing creative projects at home is
forming a free creativity group for mutual support and inspiration. Beginning
January 7, 2004, the group will meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month by phone
bridge line and the 4th Wednesday of the month in person in Derry in an
allergy free setting. Contact Grace at
mailto:lgduba@yahoo.com.

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IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS WITH GAIL
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April 2, 2004
"Recreate Your Life with Positive Choices" Workshop New England Reiki
Conference and Expo, Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA at 7 PM
Special program with fellow Red Wheel/Weiser author Christopher Penczak

http://www.commongroundcenter.com.

June 2, 2004 - Women's Success Network - details to follow

Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin