Rejection

Rejection

I usually try to keep things upbeat and positive on this blog.  With that said I need to turn a "negative" into a positive and talk about one of the things I am embracing on this journey to creating my own viable company.

I want to discuss rejection.

In a "former life" I was a singer.  I moved to NYC at 22 to attempt to break into the music biz, sing on Broadway or just win my first Grammy by 23.  Just as I am now, I was a talented dreamer that felt like all I had to do was try and I would win.

After many auditions, many rejections, many doors slammed in my face I got my first "gig".  I was the New Orleans Blue Angel in the off/off/off/off Broadway production of "Sweet Daddy and Amazing Grace".  We performed 2 sets of 4 shows and it was great.

Even though "Sweet Daddy" quenched a bit of my thirst to sing/act I soon realized that I was tired of being "rejected".  Tired of hearing no and definitely done with being broke.  I decided to come back to Harrisburg after 2 years in the Big City.

The other arena where I've experienced the most rejection is in my love life.  I have always seen the best in the people I've dated and many times I have mistaken kindness from "friends" for romantic interest.  I find that I am always seeking the most unavailable person and it usually ends somewhat tragically and/or dramatically.

So what does rejection (creative and romantic) have to do with business?

Every time a client seeks me out, then decides I am not the right fit for their task/company/project I experience that rejection all over again.  Yet now I am old enough and wise enough to realize that every project is not for me or my business.  I don't have to worry about not fitting into their criteria, deadlines, demands or boundaries.  They have made it easy for me to let that prospect go and focus my energy on the next viable option.

Rejection builds more than character, it builds a steady clientele.  

For every person/business that has told me no, I have two that have said yes.  It's an amazing phenomena and it's awesome to be a part of something from the ground up.  It helps me to fully understand that just like the rejection I experienced as a performing artist, the rejection that happens with business is a chance to grow stronger and hone my skills to be that much better for the next client.

Instead of wallowing in the disappointment of "rejection" I am learning to refocus and be open to the next opportunity to come along.  And opportunity is always coming along.

Thank you for reading and supporting the dream. Your faith in me has erased the "sting" of rejection and helped me turn it into fuel for the future. 

~Creatively Yours

website:  cre8vlyyours.waidbooks.com
email:  cre8vlyyours@aol.com

Impossible?

Who told you your dream was impossible?

What are you dreaming about that you haven't taken steps to pursue because someone told you it was impossible? 

Sometimes the "person" who told you that you could not do xyz was YOU!

Some solutions for you....straight from the Creatively Yours family:

Want to publish that memoir?  Contact www.waidbooks.com

You need a great seasoning for that award winning dish? www.smokeandbbq.net

You want to start getting fit?  Contact www.facebook.com/StudioSolomon  

Would you like some delectable treats?  

Momma's Confections to the rescue (email: ashlieds74@gmail.com)

or 

My Goodies (popsandcandies@gmail.com)

Do you need legal advice/assistance? BenjaminWhite0055@gmail.com

The world is a big place!  Don't forget to look in your own backyard for the help you need. 

It's all possible.  Never give up.  Believe in your dreams to the fullest!

~Creatively Yours (and Client Family)

cre8vlyyours@aol.com

Harrisburg School District: Proud Alumni

I am thankful and proud to be a product of the Harrisburg School District (HSD) located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

 I'd like to talk today about just a few of the people who helped to shape me as a student, person and lover of learning.

Marc Farrell (Music/Music Theater) surrogate father, adviser and friend.   Albert Baker (English/English Literature) lover of Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and theater.  Mr. Shelley (Science/Biology) lover of DATA (if it can't be factually proven it does not exist).  Mr. and Mrs. Friend they worked together...they fought together, they loved all of us together.

Angela Giardina (homeroom 6th grade) who told us we could be anything we wanted to be and made us believe in ourselves as much as she believed in us.

I can't remember my typing teacher's name (Ms. Dunston perhaps?), but it is the skill that has served me best in my adult life.  Period.

I mention these particular people because they stand out in my mind 25 years later as those who took the extra time to talk TO me and not at me.  They didn't care that we were poor kids from poor neighborhoods, broken homes who lacked connections.  They breathed life into us every day they came to work and imparted their wisdom to us.

Say what you want about the Harrisburg School District alumni and present students and we will keep proving you wrong.

Don't judge all by the actions of a few.  What you see on the local news does not tell the whole story.  Yes, I can only speak of the HHS of 1988, but I know those scholars and striving students that we once were still exist today.  I hear through the grape vine that these kids are amazing.  Yet no one publicly tells the full story.

The class of '88 spans the country and globe doing great things.  Google us.  We are amazing and continuing to change the world thanks to people like H. Major Poteat who did not accept mediocre behavior or grades.  God Bless Him.

I will never deny my alma mater, no matter what the press has to say.  Until you have walked a day in those halls your opinion does not matter to me.  I will bleed black and grey until the day I die.

Creatively Yours (ARC) is a direct result of the education I received in the HSD as well as varied life experiences.  I am confident that we can provide you with services that will help your company be more visible.

Congrats to the 2013 graduates of the Harrisburg School District.  May you always be seen, heard and successful.

~Creatively Yours

Email:  cre8vlyyours@aol.com
Website:  www.cre8vlyyours.waidbooks.com
Twitter:  @cre8vlyyours
  

How Facebook Saved My Life (or something like that)

How FB Saved My Life (or something like that)

Facebook is an integral part of every day.  There I said it.  I am addicted, smitten, enamored, tied to and a mental slave to FB!

There are days when I can't get on FB (appointments, traveling, actually conversing with someone face to face and NOT checking my phone every 5 minutes.)  As soon as I get back to my laptop I have to see what everyone has been posting, talking about, who's in crisis, who is happy etc.  Addict.

I can also stubbornly admit that FB has made me a bad friend.  No longer do I need to make the weekly or monthly call to make sure my peeps are ok.  I can log in and see what everyone is up to, how they are feeling and how much they choose to share about their daily activities.  It's made me lazy. Period.

FB has also been a wonderful way to promote CY (ARC) as well as my clients.  Since almost everyone I know is addicted too it's easy to reach a large audience in a very short period of time.  In my mind it's a non-invasive way to get your point across and your product out there.

I love Facebook.   

Find us on FB:  facebook.com/CreativelyYoursARC
The Twitter:  @cre8vlyyours
Email: cre8vlyyours@aol.com

Hopefully your business will love FB too!

~Creatively Yours