Castles in the Air

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." --Henry David Thoreau

This is one of the greatest lessons I learned in my coach training! I wish I'd known it when I was a freelance children's writer. From my viewpoint now as a coach and Reiki Master, I can see how I failed to provide a solid foundation for myself. I did well in terms of learning the ropes and staying up with changes in the field. I knew the foundational stuff for my sole proprietorship, but I forgot to take care of the proprietor!

Soon I became the weakest link in my own chain, often dealing with creative blocks and stress-related illnesses that led me away from being the "principal" of my business and toward being the "principle" reason it failed!

I did not take care of myself physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or energetically! It was like walking on stilts, which was certainly not a firm foundation for my "castle"!

Even if your creative activity is a hobby rather than a business, if you've been walking on stilts, where are you going to find the energy and inspiration to create? Keeping your values in mind, take a look at these three areas:

Simplify

• What routines can you institute to lessen your stress?
• What positive energy resources can you cultivate for yourself? Maybe a walk in nature?
• What boundaries do you need to set with others to lessen your stress?

Clarify

• What strengths can you leverage?
• What kind of people do you want to surround yourself with?

Amplify

• What is your vision or mission for your life, and how does your art fit in?
• What goals support your vision or mission?
• What's one small step you can take today to start building a firm foundation?

Please share your comments on the step you choose and your results to inspire the rest of us!

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary introductory tele-coaching session for more help on this topic or most others!

Take Your Creative Cues from Nature

Hi All,

Here are some questions to ask yourself about your life and work to see what you can learn from that most prolific artist, Mother Nature!

Go with the Flow
What do you do when you come to an obstacle? Do you flow around it or slam into it? What can you do to become more spontaneous and flexible?

Have the Law of Attraction Working for You
Are you sending out the kind of vibrations that you want to receive back? See www.thesecret.tv.

Apply the Law of Gravity
What is the reference point that you want your work and life to revolve around?

Use the Law of Inertia
What can you do to build momentum for your projects?

Build a Firm Foundation
What is your "root system" comprised of? Is it strong and steady?

Notice Your Rhythms
Do you recognize the seasons and cycles of your life and work? How is your timing? Do you take adequate time to rest?

See the Value of Incremental Change
Are you patient and persistent? Do you have faith in what is yet unseen? Do you see that incremental change creates less risk and less fear (and therefore less resistance)? Do you recognize that course corrections are easier during incremental change?

See, Use, and Manage Resources
Do you allow "gentle breezes" to bring in new ideas and perspectives? What are the equivalents of sunshine and water that your projects need? How do you manage your time, energy, and money? Do you recognize the resources that are right under your nose? Do you have the enthusiasm and belief in yourself that are needed for your projects?

Play
Do you display the unselfconsciousness and playfulness of animals and small children? Do you acknowledge its value?

Create Ecosystems
Do you have balance in your life? Are there interdevelopmental relationships among your body, mind, and spirit? Do you have adequate interdevelopmental relationships with other people? If you need and accountability buddy for mutual support on projects, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

Bloom Where You're Planted
Do you acknowledge and build on your strengths?

Recycle
What ideas, materials, and experiences can you recycle?

Coaching can help in all of these areas! For a complimentary exploratory tele-session, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

To your success,

Susan