CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER NUMBER 33 - May 15, 2003
CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER
Gail McMeekin, LICSW
Career/Creativity Coach and Author
Mailto:gail@creativesuccess.com
http://www.CreativeSuccess.com
NUMBER 33 May 15, 2003
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WELCOME SUBSCRIBERS
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This free newsletter goes to subscribers only and is sent out on
the 15th of each month. This is the 6th issue in the "Success
Strategies for Creative Souls" series. If you have missed any
issues, you can have them sent to you by following the
instructions on my website
http://www.creativesuccess.com/info/new.html at the bottom of the
page.
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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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JOIN THE 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?
Beginning in July and again in September, I will be starting a
new
6-month group program for women entrepreneurs who have been
business owners for five years or more. This national program will
offer individual and group phone coaching, e-mail consulting,
online course content and self-assessment tools and exercises, and
group support. The goal of this group experience is to spark your
creativity so you can leverage your unique products/services in
today's challenging marketplace. You will achieve the following
results:
*A Re-commitment to or Re-design of your Business
*The Ability to Leverage Your Creative Style in the Marketplace
*A Clear Connection with Your Passions and Fascinations NOW
*A New Marketing/Promotional Plan
*New Time Prioritization Strategies
*Collaborative Models that Work for Your Management Style
*Increased Joy and Fulfillment with Your Work
For more information, check out this link:
http://www.creativesuccess.com/info/serv.html
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SUCCESS STRATEGY #7: INVITING DEVIL'S ADVOCATES INTO YOUR CIRCLE
"Saddle your dreams before you ride them"
Mary Webb
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In my books and this newsletter, I am always reminding you to
carefully select the right support system for your precious
creative ideas and to surround yourself with people who truly care
about your well being. There are dangerous saboteurs out there who
will give you terrible advice due to their vindictiveness,
jealousy, or limiting beliefs. It's a sad fact of life that we
cannot trust everyone. This month, though, I want to present you
with a different challenge. Armed with your own passion and self-
confidence and hopefully a strong support system of people who
love you and your work, I challenge you to find one or more people
who think totally differently from you and have them comment on
one of your projects, a business strategy, or a dream you have.
By
"polling" opinions from opposite types, you will learn
something.
For example, I have a client who runs a very successful
administrative services company and most of her clients are small
to medium-sized businesses. For those of you who are familiar with
the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, she is an ISTJ, which is a great
fit for detailed work. Understandably, the economy has impacted
her business and those of her clients, and she needed to take a
fresh look at her vision. Since I'm an INFJ, I brainstormed with
her about strengthening her personal relationships with her
existing clients, marketing to companies that personally interest
her (like spas, hotels, and restaurants), and rewriting her
materials so they are more upbeat and positive. In short, she was
able to feel more excited about meeting new people with similar
interests, consciously dialogue with her existing clients for
input on better services, and update and add some "fun"
into her
materials and procedures. By hiring a coach who thinks differently
than you do, you gain a whole new perspective. But I also sent my
client out to ask 3 diverse people what they would most value in
an administrative service. Her hairdresser said she wanted someone
to "hold her hand" so she could learn to double-check
the books to
ensure accuracy, her auto mechanic said he wanted software that
he
didn't have to talk to and would never pay for a service, and her
banker confirmed what I said about personal service and advising,
but added that she ought to add online tutorials to her website.
Now, my client has lots to ponder in redoing her business plan and
feels hopeful and re-invigorated. By daring to ask people whom you
may perceive as non-supportive, oblivious, or are using your
competition, you can learn a lot. Some of it may sting a bit, but
that's the point. So, stoke up your courage and invite new
information into your world. Assimilate the best of it and enjoy
the process of making new creative connections!
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CHALLENGE
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1) Whom do you know who is successful at the
personality/professional traits that you are weakest in? Seek
them out.
2) Who has felt to you like a "critic" in the past, whose
advice
turned out to be right? Talk to that person.
3) Identify a great idea you are interested in doing, and ask for
objective advice from people with different value systems,
educational background, or professions, and listen carefully to
their input.
4) Discard advice that is "way off" but look carefully
for the
hidden messagesi.e. the auto mechanic that wants quiet time
to
work a software program. What does that tell you about your
market?
5) Summarize your new insights and play with the possibilities.
6) Thank your new "advisors" and offer to help them with
a dilemma
of their own.
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CREATIVE ACTS AND RESOURCES
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PROCESS THOSE MONEY ISSUES
One of our "12 Secrets" women has a new book available.
C. Diane
Ealy has just released her 4th book: Our Money, Ourselves for
Couples with co-author Kay Lesh. The book is designed to help life
partners and business partners address their underlying beliefs
about money in a safe way so they can be resolved. The exercises
in the book facilitate the whole process of understanding each
other and designing a shared vision that both individuals are
committed to. Sybie Solomon, director of LifeWise, who facilitates
money relationship workshops, praises Diane and Kay's book: "You
have such an easy writing style and start hitting the important
points immediately in a way that goes to the heart of the matter."
As money issues can so often destroy our relationships with
family, friends, and all kind of partners, this is a must read.
Check out Diane's website at http://www.cdianeealy.com/.
VISUAL AND FINE ARTISTS' GUIDE
Fellow career coach, creator of the Artist Help Network
(www.artisthelpnetwork.com) and author of the classic book How To
Survive and Prosper as an Artist, Caroll Michels, has a wonderful
subscription newsletter with resources for visual and fine
artists. As Caroll is committed to artistic success, her
newsletter lists art consultants, grants, contests, book reviews,
training programs, and other invaluable tips and strategies for
your success. I'm delighted that Caroll gave high praise to my
book, The Power of Positive Choices, in the May issue. To
subscribe, go to http://www.carollmichels.com/. It's well worth
the investment.
MORE INSPIRATION
Colleague and free spirit Barbara Winter has a new email
subscription newsletter (in addition to her ever popular print
newsletter "Winning Ways") for the self-employed, titled
Dreambuilders E-Mail coaching Programme. Each week Barbara will
send you a coaching tip to stimulate creative thought and action.
Barbara's business tagline reads, "travel gear for the joyfully
jobless life"! You can subscribe by logging onto
http://www.emailcoaching.net/emailcoaching/programmes/email_progra
mmes.asp .
ENJOY THE CREATIVE OUTPOURING OF SPRINGTIME!
Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin
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