CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER NUMBER 35 - July 22, 2003

CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER
Gail McMeekin, LICSW
Career/Creativity Coach and Author
Mailto:gail@creativesuccess.com
http://www.CreativeSuccess.com
NUMBER 35 - July 22, 2003

SUCCESS 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
around the 15th 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 just discovered that several Spam filters
are blocking the word "success" so if you have not been receiving
this newsletter regularly, check your filter. Please note that
there will be no regular newsletter in August 2003 as I will be
teaching and traveling.

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WORKSHOPS WITH GAIL
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ANNOUNCING: CREATIVITY CIRCLES FOR WOMEN in Newton, MA

"Your creative self is alive and waiting for your invitation to
evolve."

Gail McMeekin, The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable
Mentor(Conari Press)

Are there creative sparks within you longing to be ignited into
action? Is it finally time to write or paint or design or compose
or manifest the creative ideas that are "calling" to you? Is your
creative project last on your to-do list? If you are truly ready
to commit to your creative inspirations, this 6 week coaching
group will help you to focus productive energy on your process or
project.

Too often as women, we succumb to silence, distraction, fear, or
the needs of others. Thus, we delay writing that story, painting
that landscape, or developing that business idea. The creative
process flourishes with commitment, positive life choices, fear-
management, self-focus, and the right support. Using goal-setting,
visualization, collages, journaling, and non-judgmental peer
coaching, you can zero in on your creative purpose.
Simultaneously, you will confront your personal roadblocks and
saboteurs enabling you to significantly advance your creative
process or project. Join us for this opportunity to follow your
fascinations!

GROUPS

Size: Limited to six women
Location: 10 Langley Road, Suite 401, Newton Centre, MA
Times: The group will meet about every 2 weeks on Friday mornings
from 10-12 noon beginning on September 19th or on Monday evenings
from 7-9 PM beginning September 15th.
Cost: $350.00-- Credit cards accepted
To explore participation, please contact Gail McMeekin at either
617-323-1442 or mailto:gail@creativesuccess.com to schedule an
initial phone interview.

OTHER OFFERINGS

November 16th, 2003 Workshop: "The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative
Women", Boston Learning Society, Newton, MA 800-432-5520, $35.00

January 2004
"Creative Catalysts Workshop in Boston-- Join us for a 4 hour
workshop filled with art, writing, and group coaching which will
catalyze your creative process/project. Location and dates to be
announced. Send an email of interest to Gail McMeekin at
mailto:gail@creativesuccess.com.

April 2, 2004
"Recreate Your Life with Positive Choices" WorkshopNew England
Reiki conference, Boxborough, MA at 7 PM

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VIRTUAL CREATIVE SUCCESS GROUP FOR EXPERIENCED WOMEN
BUSINESS OWNERS
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Are you experiencing Creative Success in your business and your
life? Are you feeling fulfilled and excited about the challenges
on your to-do list? What's the next growth step for you and your
company? Are you still invested in your mission or are you feeling
burned out, overworked, and lost? For so many female business
owners, the 5, 10, and 15 plus year markers can be valuable
turning points. You have gotten smarter for sure, but are you
capitalizing on that? Is it time for new clients, alliances,
products or services, or a new business model entirely? Are you
meeting your financial, lifestyle, and spiritual goals? For more
information, check out this link:
http://www.creativesuccess.com/info/serv./html.

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GHOST RANCH RETREAT FOR WOMEN WRITERS
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I am delighted to be presenting a week-long workshop on
"Overcoming Creative Obstacles" at the A Room of her Own
Foundation Retreat from August 11-17th in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The
conference is titled Being a Committed Woman Writer Today: Making
It Happen. This retreat brings together women writers with
nationally and internationally known authors for workshops and
intense dialogue. In addition to myself, other presenters include:
Denise Chavez, Kim Addonizio, Rebecca Brown, Breena Clarks, Anne
Finger, Ellen McLaughlin, and Jennifer Tseng, the recipient of the
$50,000 2002 Literary Gift of Freedom. Attendance is limited to
36 writers who will be screened for quality of work. For workshop
details, application, and scholarship information, visit AROHO's
website at http://www.aroomofherownfoundation.org. It will be a
wonderful week, so I hope to see you there.

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INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE
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My book The Power of Positive Choices was just translated into
German in addition to Japanese. If you want to send books to
friends and family overseas, you can order these editions through
Red Wheel/Weiser by calling 800-423-7087 or by email at
mailto:orders@redwheelweiser.com.

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SUCCESS STRATEGY #10: CATALYSTS FOR CREATIVE SUCCESS
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1)Keep a daily excitement list about WHY you are passionate and
committed to your exploration or project

2) Change your locationwork on your project in bed, outside in
nature, in a coffee shop, or a different room

3) Take a trip relating to your project to explore a facet of it

4) Go on vacation or take a day or two off and let it go and take
a fresh look when you return

5) Or make a date with your project and go away for a period of
time with it as your companion

6) Go to a toy store and find a toy like your project and play
with it

7) Set up a series of experiments related to your project

8) Experience your project using the three learning styles of
visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experiences. Draw a picture of
it, make a mind-map of it, take a photo of it and play on photo-
shop. Talk about your project to a tape recorder or a video
recorder or teach a real/pretend class on the topic. Act it out
with props and sets and maybe even other characters

9) Find a symbol or prop that represents your project and carry it
around with you

10) Exercise regularly to clear your head

11) Create a water experiencesit in a hob tub, go swimming, take
a shower, visit a spa

12) Record and follow intuitive clues

13) Meditate or pray about it

14) Select music that reminds you of your project and play it at
the beginning of your work sessions

15) Initiate creative rituals such as lighting a candle or reading
first, etc.

16) Find someone who is an opposite thinker (a devil's advocate)
and tell them about your project and let them challenge/stimulate
your thinking

17) Put your inner critic in isolation for now

18) Visualize your end result and make a collage of images that
support that vision

19) Collect objects like your project and keep them in a basket to
ponder

20) Keep a file card packet in your office, car, etc. to jot down
all related ideas and connections

21) Read related books, articles, etc. and take notes

22) Look for the metaphorsi.e.,how is your project like a pine
tree?

23) Keep a separate journal/computer file for each project and
keep track of all ideas and feelings

24) At the right time, share your project with trusted others and
gather new insights

25) Use your fascinations to propel you ahead to take risks
everyday

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Challenge:
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Try 3 of the above strategies to jump-start your creativity
between now and Labor Day! Enjoy what you learn!

Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin