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We
are not here to do what has already been done. ~ Robert Henri
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| Buon Viaggio Blog |
The theme this month is Making It Better.
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MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
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 It might not have been a full-blown epiphany, but
it had a profound impact on me just the same. Here's what happened. One day,
several years ago, I was doing something rather ordinary like baking cookies, and a new thought grabbed me. "I am happiest when
I'm making stuff -- and it doesn't matter what that is."
In other words, I understood that their was no
order of importance when it came to makng things. Making a tidy office was as
satisfying as making a speech. It was the creative act that brought me joy. Of
course, my next thought was, "Then just keep making stuff."
On a drive to Trader Joe's this morning, I began
musing about the word "make" and I occurred to me that it's one of the most
used words in our language. We talk about making a difference, making money,
making decisions, making love, making a plan, making memories. My dictionary
has 16 definitions for the word "make".
To the entrepreneur, "make" is more than just part of their vocabulary, however. Making things
happen is what being joyfully jobless is all about.
Yet so many people who tell me they're stumped,
have no clue, haven't discovered that living the life of your dreams isn't an intellectual exercise. It begins by
noticing what's right in front of you that needs doing, fixing, changing,
improving, creating-and then making things happen to alter current conditions
Want to accomplish more? Have better ideas? See
more dreams come to life?
I'd like to invite you to share an experiment
with me. (Warning: this sounds so simple, that it's easy to dismiss it. You'll
only discover how powerful this exercise is if you put it to work.) Here's how it works: every morning for the next
year, as soon as you awaken, ask yourself, "What can I make today?"
Your answers might be simple or silly or serious.
You could make:
a
list
a
sale
a
garden
a
poem
a
statement
a
grumpy person laugh
a
toast
a
profit center
an
apology
a
promise
a
mess
a
sacrifice
Just keep asking the question, "What can I make
today?" and follow where it leads. See if you can come up with a different
answer every day. Then get busy making it happen. Engage your head and heart
and hands. Amaze yourself.
You may not change The World, but I bet you
change Your World. It is, after all, the direct path to becoming the artist of
your own life.
Then add this in: "I make the most of all that
comes," mused poet Sara Teasdale, "and the least of all that goes."
Remembering that could make a big difference.
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MAKING TIME FOR WHAT MATTERS
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 Anne Lamott is not only a brilliant writer, she
also sometimes teaches writing classes. Of course, she's heard all the moans
about not having time to write.
In this wonderful essay from Sunset magazine, Time Lost and Found, she offers some insightful suggestions.
Many of you are already fans of TED Talks, but if
you've missed this one, check it out. Cameron Herold suggests a radical notion: Let's Raise Kids to be Entrepreneurs.
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LISTEN AND LEARN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE
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Although I'm working on some new teleclass
subjects, I'd like to remind you that
previous events are available as audio downloads. You'll find a dozen titles
including A Beginner's Guide to Getting Published, Better Than
Brainstorming and I Hate Marketing.
When it's too hot to be outdoors, turn your indoors
into a classroom and add to your Joyfully Jobless Toolkit. For the rest of June, you can order any of my
teleclass recordings at a 20% discount.
Joyfully Jobless Teleclass Recordings
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MAKING CONNECTIONS
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 When people set out on the self-employment
journey, they often do so without much encouragement from family and friends. Connecting with
others who are working independently is critical to success.
That's where the upcoming Joyfully Jobless
Jamboree comes in. This two-day event is designed to shine a spotlight on
creative independents. While celebration will be a large part of the event, so
will opportunities to connect and collaborate with others from around the US,
Canada and the UK. Workshops at the event will highlight the theme: More Time,
More Fun, More Money.
You'll be hearing more about the Jamboree as time
grows closer, but it's not too soon to start making plans to join us in Austin
TX on October 15 & 16. Visit our Web siteto learn more.
And come back often to see new things we'll be
adding on the site.
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Buona fortuna,
Barbara Winter
P.S. On occasion, I may receive a commission or compensation when you participate or purchase a product or service I recommend. That being said, I strive to always offer useful content and resources in each issue of Joyfully Jobless News.
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