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     

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