Failure...The Remix

I lost a client last week.

I could have been devastated, angry, pissed off and used that loss as a reason to stop what I'm doing altogether.

Instead I'm going to talk about failure.  How I perceive it and what it means to me.

I remember seeing this quote a long time ago:

This comes from a man who by many standards is the greatest person to ever play the game of professional basketball.  Michael Jordan, who was cut from his high school basketball team, admits failure in so many other ways as well.

It's all about trying again in a different way.  For every client I lose I plan to replace them with 3 more.  Failure?  I think not.

I'm fortunate to be surrounded by a "village" of supporters that won't let me quit.  Because failure means you never try again.  A loss is just that...ONE loss.  There are so many other ways to win.  I want to win.

I'm blessed that I have people who believe in my gifts, talents and abilities.  They tell me every day and they show me in too many ways to mention.  They are my beacons through the storms of life and my anchors when I am ready to fly off into the sunset of lost dreams.  They mold and shape me and keep me whole.  I don't know what I would do without them personally or professionally.

Are you happy with how your business is currently performing?  Do you have clients and customers beating down your doors?  Are you ready to do business in profit margins that you only dreamed about?

On the flip side:  do you have a thick skin? Can you stand to be told no? Is there someone who promised you something but they have yet to deliver?  I can't get bogged down in pumping myself up based on 1 good week when I have a week like last week when I lost this client.  I need to stay prepared for both the ups and the downs in this self-employed game.  Yes...it's a game and I only lose when I stop reaching out to pitch that next client or not writing the next blog. There is no failure to be "chalked up" when you are on to the next possible client or opportunity.

Finally, let's discuss what happens when you "fail".  Society says you are a failure if you don't have a car, house and bank account that all fit into the "big" category.  I say you fail when you compare yourself to other people and think that you don't measure up.  The Jones family is not putting bread on your table or clothes on your children's backs.  Failure is relative and one man's failure can be my possible triumph, so I'm mowing my own back yard.

I lost a client, but I also gained the wisdom of things to differently the next time I am faced with a situation like that one.  I'm wiser and ready for what's next.

Are you ready for what's next?  Can you be honest with yourself and reach out for the help you need in order to be just more successful?  Let's work together to change this notion of failure into what can be something great.

Email: cre8vlyyours@aol.com
Twitter: @cre8vlyyours
Facebook: Creatively Yours ARC

Thank you for your continued support!

~Creatively Yours

  

Team Champion

 TEAM CHAMPION - June 19, 2013

What does it take to be a champion?

I have studied many images of Muhammad Ali over the years.  There are those of him standing over defeated opponents defiantly.  Others where he is shouting, mouth open, proclaiming he is "The Greatest".  

This photo of him, in silent repose, touches my heart to the core.

What could he be thinking?  How great and strong he is?  How he just whipped another opponent?  Does he want a coffee or a cold beer?

What does a champion think about?

In this blog we have previously discussed time, patience, team-building and going after dreams when naysayers tell you not to.  Today it's all about "Team Champion".

There are many people that have inspired me over the years with the way they live their life.  I will only discuss Ali today because he's on my heart. I know he is older now, with many health obstacles that he is facing, but the legacy of courage, discipline and HEART he has left for us is immeasurable.

If I could re-do this example for Ali, I would put the biggest heart over the biggest body.

To be a champion you need a strong belief in yourself and what you are contributing to society.   Ali says "I said I was the greatest even before I knew that I was."  A powerful statements in "thinking and growing into those positive self attributes".  I believe that champions keep positive influences and people around them to build a team that is indestructible to outside and usually negative forces.

I believe that champions have no regrets. Period.

Creatively Yours (ARC) is in business to be a part of your Team Champion.  We focus on getting your best product/service/YOU in front of the people that need to see it in order to support your dream.  We want the very best for you and your company.

Like Ali, we think you are the greatest, even before you may realize it.

Allow us to help you grow, one tweet, Facebook "like" and blog post at a time. We are here to help you build "Team Champion". 

~Creatively Yours (ARC)
 
Email:  cre8vlyyours@aol.com
Website: www.cre8vlyyours.waidbooks.com
Facebook: facebook.com/CreativelyYoursARC
Twitter: @cre8vlyyours

Aliens

There have been a few times in my life where I've felt like I didn't belong.

Don't get me wrong, I've always been a pretty friendly person and could usually find my way into a circle and feel comfortable and liked.  It's never really the interpersonal, one on one types of interactions that bother me.

It's the "standing out in a crowd, being stared at openly, wondering if there is something on my face" instances that make me wonder why people attempt to make me feel like I don't belong.  Like I'm an alien.

My favorite alien.

Perceptive people notice things that others may miss.  At times I've been told I'm over-reacting, paying too much attention to others or just being overly sensitive.  I admit that I sense things, I go with my gut and if the vibe or people in a certain place feel wrong I leave.

If there is no way to avoid a situation I play mind games with myself to pass the time.  I'm a beautiful alien, so beautiful that people can't stop staring.  I'm a celebrity and they are mesmerized that I am in their midst.   A person of royalty that they can't help but to admire from afar.

I've also translated this "isolated" feeling to my business practices.

It's ok to stand out, be different and have people take notice.  You're not the first one to have your type of business, but no one can do it like you do it.

Consider yourself a business alien.  Exploring a new world as you seek to give your clients the best you have to offer.

Sometimes aliens need to stick together.  Allow me to help your company go to the next level.  Together we can stand out.

~Creatively Yours (ARC)
Email: cre8vlyyours@aol.com
Website: www.cre8vlyyours.waidbooks.com

Patience (Part Two)

We are measured by how patient we are during difficult times.  I think I just mangled that quote...but you get the point.  Patience is one of the many things that is utilized for self-measurement and "world judgment".  So it's important to me to get it right.

I admitted in a previous blog that I am not very patient.  I struggle with waiting and have trained myself over the years not to get too overly excited about anything. Disappointment (for me) is far worse than waiting.  

I've been waiting for my business to grow.  Waiting for new clients to spring forth from the Internet.  Waiting for new ideas to inspire me every day in order to keep the content for my current clients fresh and interesting.

I've surprised myself over the last 6 months in many ways.  Creatively Yours (ARC) had a half-birthday on May 8th. We are still here and kicking after 6 whole months!  Patience has played a huge part in making it this far.

While we count the days to our first CY birthday, I am still seeking new clients to "practice" my patience on.  Together we can all learn how to translate this patience virtue into sales, clients and prosperity. Contact me today (cre8vlyyours@aol.com) to discuss specifics.

Patience and Growth to all!

~Creatively Yours
cre8vlyyours@aol.com
www.cre8vlyyours.waidbooks.com