The Unsticking™ Newsletter for authors, writers, and other creatives who want to make a great living doing what they love.

3 WAYS TO NOURISH YOUR INNER ARTIST

What are you doing to nourish and nurture your Inner Artist?

I ask this question because it is one that I am struggling with myself; a question that I write about, almost every day. It’s also at the fore front of my mind because I see so many of my clients and colleagues struggling with the same challenge.

As artists, whatever form our ‘art’ takes, our work is about expressing, about out-putting, about creating something out of nothing. We take ideas, information, and inspirations and turn them into novels, paintings, poems, songs, events, installations, photographs, operas, sculptures, movies, et al.
Creating is bloody hard work. And, as energizing and fulfilling as it is, it also depletes us. For creativity flows from us, out of us.

So, what are you doing to nourish your Inner Artist?

Here are 3 things I am doing (not as often perhaps as I ought to):

1. Hanging out with other artists

Growing up, my JW step-mother repeatedly told me, “bad associations spoil useful habits”. I’ve transformed that counsel into, “spending time with other creative types will nurture my Inner Artist”. Recently I decided to become a member of the Calgary Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. And, I’ve rebooted my membership in a couple of online writing communities on Yahoo and Facebook.

1. Spending time alone, preferably in nature

Don’t spend too much time with others, even with other artists. Why? Because creativity flows from our connection with God and that connection is best nurtured by being alone.

Several years ago I first noticed that I often felt better when I was camping in the mountains. So, now I nourish my Inner Artist by going for a daily walk in one of the city’s many parks and I try to escape to the mountains at least once a month.

1. Reading, reading, reading.

I admit it, I’m an information addict and self professed Bookaholic. My rationale is that to generate creative ideas you have to input data. So, I consume copious amounts of information from an eclectic plethora of sources: books, blogs, newsletters, and magazines.

What about you? What information and ideas do you feed your Inner Artist? Do they fertilize your mind or poison it? Do they create new connections and stir possibilities or do they stifle innovation? Do you read outside your field of specialty or do you stick inside the box?

Online I consume frequent doses of TED Talks and YouTube inspirational videos. What are you watching? How does it nourish you? Does it expand your thinking and creativity or limit it? Is it mindless viewing or mindful?

THANKS TO ALEX BROWN

A special BIG THANK YOU to my former client Alex Brown, The Project Management Guru with a Heart, for the lengthy, provocative chat about the impact of environment on the tender Artistic soul. That dendritic discussion energized and inspired this newsletter – thanks dude!

SOCIALIZE WITH ME

If reading this newsletter once a month doesn’t provide all the ideas and information you need to nourish your Inner Artist, that please do tune in for more of my musings and meanderings at:

My Official Blog The Unsticking Coach

Friend me on Facebook

Link we me on LinkedIn

Tweet along with me at Twitter

Your opinions, ideas, suggestions, questions, and feedback are important to me. Please let me know what you think, what you’d like to see in future articles, or tell me what you don’t agree with.

Contact me here.

Until next time,

Lyle Lachmuth MS (Organization Development)

THE Unsticking^™ Coach

“Your Career, Your Life, YOUR Way!“^™

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

CAVEAT: CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED, its author and publisher, are not engaged in providing therapy or financial advice. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only.

CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety only, including copyright, legal, and contact information and only with live links intact.

Copyright 2010 The Unsticking™ Coach and Lyle T. Lachmuth, All Rights Reserved

What happens when you actually do find “work that doesn’t suck” but then … that work — part-time, full-time, or contract — chews up most or all of your energy and time?

Okay. Maybe, that’s a bit dramatic.

But, it IS how it feels to me sometimes. As much as I love my new ‘job’ as a “Cruise and Vacation Specialist” I’m finding myself  overwhelmed at least once a day,  frequently feeling  ‘behind the 8 ball’, and therefore, beating myself up for not getting everything done.

And, this, ironically or not, is the situation with several of my clients.

What about you?

Do you find that your ‘real job’ (you know that thing that you do to pay the rent)  sucks up so much time and energy that you can’t move ahead on your plans to live your dream?

So, what do you do?

Well,  here are 3 ideas I’m working on …

1. Get Clear on Your Real Priorities

One of my 30-something creative clients recently voiced a lament that went something like this, “I don’t know what to DO … I have so many ideas. What should I do?”

The “problem” with most eclectic, creatives isn’t a scarcity of ideas! It’s a lack of action and accomplishment!

My, and my clients, favourite ‘excuse’ for this is lack of time.

Sorry folks, sorry Lyle, but as the time management gurus are only too happy to point out, “we all have 168 hours a week!” It’s not the time you are given each week:  it’s how you spend it.

So, ask  yourself, as I am asking myself every morning, “What MUST I do today? What do I NEED to do today? What actions will move me closer to my dream?”

I use my answers to these questions to set my priorities for the day. And, 

2. Stay Focused On Your Priorities

Knowing your priorities is critical to your success. Even more critical is actually acting on them!

That means staying focused. Ah, but keeping focused is a very big challenge for creative eclectics.

Why? Because we are often ‘right-brain’ dominant people who live and breath ideas. Ideas stimulate and excite our neurons. And, there are a gajillion ideas coming at us every moment … oh, and people clamoring for attention!

True, other people do interrupt us … and, learning to manage interruptions is a critical skill. But, most often we are our worst enemies. Whether we are Introverts or Extraverts most of belong to online communities, subscribe to blog and news feeds, &/or just go ’surfing the Net’ looking for ideas or distraction.

And, that’s the schizo thing about being an eclectic creative: we need outside stimuli to fuel our creativity but when we get too much, or get lost in that ’stream of data’ then we don’t get a damn thing done!

So, to keep me from ‘wasting TOO much time’ being a Social Media Butterfly, I work hard at only allowing myself ’snippets’ of time on Facebook, Twitter, or in online communities. I pop in and out several times a day, stay for 10 minutes or less per visit, read the most appealing items, post a response or two, and then get back to work.

Well that’s the theory anyway. But, sometimes I get distracted! And, when I do, I try hard not to berate myself for it. And, I focus on doing My Work instead of lamenting my ‘mistakes’.

3. Stay Healthy

Staying healthy is a MUST for me.

And, it needs to be for you too.

Why?

The simple fact, as far too many have learned, is that “if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything!” I’m finding that many of my clients, even those who are 30-something are reporting clear, unmistakable symptoms of stress overload.

So, what can you do to stay healthy?

Once you’ve made it a priority then ACTION is required. And, believe me, a once-a-week trip to the Gym isn’t what I mean.

No. A focus on healthy living means daily, even hour-to-hour attention to nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction. For me that means that first thing in the morning I go for a 5 kilometre walk. And, during the day I take time out to get up and away from my computer and stretch or I  go for a 5 or 10 minute walk in the back yard or down the block. I prepare and cook (yes, I’m the chef in the house)  healthy meals that follow the national food guide. And, I work at removing stress from my life and managing the stressors that appear in my life.

I can’t forget these daily actions … because when I do, I pay an immediate price: PAIN! You on the other hand can ‘forget’ because the price you pay takes a while to show up. But, remember the saying, “Pay me now. Or, pay me later!” And, remember that the delayed payment can be fatal.

Sermon over.

Practice these 3 strategies on a daily basis and you’ll find yourself living a more passionate, authentic life.

FIND Full-Time or Part-Time WORK THAT DOESN’T SUCK – Step 2

First a brief review of Step 1.

Step 1 of my 3-step process essentially requires you to obtain crystal clarity about WHAT you want TO DO for a living. That is, how you want to contribute, what you want to give to the world, and what legacy you want to leave behind.

Now the idea of a legacy might seem a little “heavy” when it comes to thinking about a part-time job. But having a detailed description of your DREAM does ensure that any interim job or contract position you obtain will support your dream; not prevent it.

The detail you look for includes a clear picture of WHAT, WHO, WHERE, WHEN, WHICH, and HOW. (I’ll cover these details in my upcoming FR^EE teleclass)

Step 2: Use Your Theme(s) to Find THE Work of Your Dreams

Clarity takes time … and effort. The good news is that having any degree of clarity about your Destiny Dream^TM is valuable. Especially IF you act on that clarity and move toward your Dream – as it reveals itself to you.

So, how do you take all those apparently jumbled pieces of data about Who, What, and so on and create a Theme or Themes for your Dream?

Let’s use my Destiny Dream^TM as an example.

I’ve been crafting and using a Destiny Plan^TM to guide my life, career, and work since the early 90s. My Destiny Plan^TM has evolved to have 9 key Action Goal^TM Areas – My Health & Wellness, My Relationships, My Work, My Learning & Development, My Passions, My Sexuality, My Muse, My Spirituality, and My Societal Contribution. Naturally, your 9 Action Goal^TM Areas would likely be different from mine.

What I’ve noticed for the last several years is that, as I’ve done my Action Goal^TM Planning every January, I’ve felt this strong sense that I was missing something.

So, I began asking myself, “What do I need?” (By the way this is a critical question for an Enneagram Two – which I am – to ask themselves). Beyond the needs in my Top Three^TM Action Goal^TM Areas I kept hearing, Travel!

I’ve had a burning Passion for Travel since I was a wee lad. But, like many others, I choose to have a family early on and invested time and energy in my kids instead in trips to Europe.

Sure, whenever we could afford it we travelled: 1^st with the ex and the kids, most often camping trips throughout Alberta and British Columbia, an anniversary trip (alone with the ex) to Hawaii; work trips to New Jersey, Toronto, New Orleans, and San Jose; and following the divorce, many trips to LA/The OC, Monterey, and Palm Springs, while completing my Masters degree; and later with my current wife, trips to Nova Scotia (her home), New Brunswick, Alaska, Newfoundland, and countless camping adventures.

Yet, still it never felt like enough to slake my Travel Lust.

Then a few weeks ago during an early morning walk I saw a sign (literally), as if from God, “Wanted Part-time Cruise Consultants!” WOW!

I jumped at the chance to apply. And, the position seemed ideal: I’d be on contract not – god forbid – an employee; income was commission only – so I could make as much, or a little as I wanted; and I liked the ‘feel’ of the place.

NEXT ISSUE: Step 3: Landing the “JOB”

I love to hear from you. So, let me know what you think. Send me an e-mail or add your comment here at the blog!

In my last newsletter I cautioned against taking just any job. But, is it possible to find work, even a part-time job or contract/freelance work, that doesn’t suck? YES … and today’s article will show you how I did it! And, how you can too!

HOW TO FIND Full-Time or Part-Time WORK THAT DOESN’T SUCK!

When I started up this, my current, company back in December 1997, it was my intention to make a living as a Freelance Writer. I’ve told you the painful story before about why that didn’t happen. It doesn’t bear repeating. BUT, I do want to share some important lessons, I’ve learned along the way, about finding work that doesn’t suck.

First, what do I mean by work that sucks?

I mean full-time or part-time jobs, contract positions, or freelance assignments that a) suck every ounce of physical, intellectual, &/or creative energy out of you; b) get you involved with parasitic, psychotic, or pain-in-the-ass clients; &/or c) pay sh*t wages.

Step 1: Know what you’d Love (or at least like) To Do

If you don’t know what you would love to do for work, then there is no better time than NOW to find out! How?

Do some Career Testing. <= ASK me I can help YOU with this!

Read and work through the exercises in What Color Is Your Parachute? The 2009 edition of this classic by Richard Nelson Bolles is aptly subtitled “JOB-HUNTING IN HARD TIMES”. I’ve used this book to guide my own career since 1984.

Let me give you a recent example from my own life of how to figure out what kind of work would make you happy.

Even though I’ve been working and reworking and re-reworking my career plans since 1984, there are some clear themes in my career dreams. And, that’s what you want to look for in your career planning: the common themes.

But, where do you get the data and information to tease out those themes? You get it by examining 5 key elements: Your Interests, Your Skills, Your Experiences, Your Personality, and Your Values.

When I work with clients who want to re-examine their careers and figure out what they want to be when they grow up, the first thing I do is to get them to complete several Career “Tests”. These assessments include: Career Directions Inventory (Interests), MBTI® (Personality), and the Career Values Scale (Values). Then, I use paper and pencil exercises to help you identify your Skills and Experiences.

I KNOW all the gory details of all 5 key Career factors. I’ve used them to help me find contracts and clients. And, even though I’ve had superb clients and extremely interesting work: something was missing. This year, when I did my annual Life & Career Goal Setting I became very aware of my NEED (more like burning desire, lust) to TRAVEL. So, when thinking about finding part-time work to supplement my coaching income, I decided to focus on my Travel theme. I began to think about how I might find work in the Travel industry. AND, I GOT IT!

YES, last week I signed on board Expedia® CruiseShipCenters as a contract Cruise & Vacation Consultant. And, you can benefit.

Next issue I will tell you HOW I found and secured this great ‘job’. And, how on earth being a Travel Consultant fits with the rest of my career aspirations.

NEXT ISSUE: Step 2: Use Your Theme(s) to Find the Work You Love

I love to hear from you. So, let me know what you think. Send me an e-mail or add your comment here at the blog!

Why not?

There are, at least, 2 excellent reasons:

1. Desperation is not the mother of success

When you are drowning it may make sense to grab at anything floating by. But, when looking for work it’s a BAD idea. When desperate we tend to turn off our internal warning signals. Thus thousands of people have been seduced, and scammed, into accepting jobs that offered “Make $50 an hour working at home!” Remember: if it looks too good to be true … it probably is.

2. It could suck up every ounce of your energy

A friend of mine shut down her consulting practice and took a 3-day a week job in order to help keep the household afloat. Oh, and the plan was that on those 2 days off she’d write her novel. That was 22 months ago and I think she’s written maybe 20 pages of her novel. Why? Because the demands of her 3 day a week job could, and frequently have, filled 5 days. She has almost no energy to do any writing on her days off and is also frequently ill. Will your interim job solution take everything you have and leave nothing for your dreams?

So, if you don’t take just any job, what do you do?

I’ll share some ideas with you next time.

I thought it would be interesting to give you a sneak peek at this “Inner A.C.T.” But, before I get into the “A.C.T.”, I want to set the stage …

I’ve been interested in what makes people tick for a long time. I particularly became interested in psychology when I struggled with Clinical Depression and then Manic Depressive Illness. I’ve read, and collected, hundreds of books on psychology, self-help, and neuroscience.

My passion as a coach and consultant is to use my learnings about the inner workings of the brain and mind to help my clients. I want to help you learn from my mistakes and from my successes and thereby have a less stressful, more successful, less painful life at home and in your business.

I titled this presentation “Your Inner A.C.T.” because I’ve learned over the years, and keep learning, that I and you need to pay closer attention to what’s going on inside us. We get bajillions of messages from “Out There” telling us what to do – “Buy Me”, “Wear Me”, and you’ll be happy and have success. So, my goal in my presentation is to reinforce the notion that we need to “look inside for answers”.

So, what then is this “Inner A.C.T.”? The acronym A.C.T. stands for 3 qualities that together form our Essence. Let’s take a look at them …

A – Authenticity

When you know the answer to the question “Who am I?” and act in a way that is fully congruent with that, then you display the quality Authenticity.

But, you ask, “how could I not know who I am?” Remember those external messages I talked about. From the time we are born, well meaning people tell us who they think we are, or should be. So, over time we forget what I call the Essential Self, the part of us that is our Soul. We forget “Who I Am”. Not only do we forget we often become afraid to express that true self.

I’m willing to bet that if I asked you who you are you’d respond automatically with a job title, with what you do. You might tell me “I’m a coach”. Or, “I’m a Doctor”.

I’m reading a wonderful book by my favourite Jungian analyst, Robert A. Johnson, called “Living Your Unlived Life”. Here’s the essence of an exercise he suggests to help us discover the answer to the question, “Who am I”. Find a supportive partner. Sit facing each other. Get relaxed and centered. Have your partner ask, “Who are you?” Respond with whatever comes to mind. When you run out of responses, take a moment to recoup. Then have your partner ask again, “Who are you?” Keep repeating these steps till you reach a sense of being, of essence.”

When you know your Authentic Self and when you are able to express that self in an Authentic way, you have the first key to the Essence of you.

C – Courage

The word Courage derives from the Latin word for Heart. For me it is in and through dialogue with our Heart that we answer the 2^nd essential question, “Why Am I Here”.

It is the Heart that is the centre of our Purpose. And, it is to the Heart that we need to look both to get clear on our Purpose and to restore, rejuvenate our Courage.

Why do we need Courage? Because it is a challenge to be Authentic, to walk our talk, to FULLY express our Essence.

So, we need to turn to our Hearts regularly.

Later this month (as soon as I master Scanning 101) I will make a PDF copy of an article I wrote on Courage called “Finding and Nurturing The Courage To Change.” I’ll let you know when it’s available.

Also, if you really want to do business from the Heart I (pardon the pun) heartily recommend you cruise on over to Mark Silver’s Heart of Business website (www.HeartOfBusiness.com) and get your self on his newsletter list. I know of no better source for Heart-centred business wisdom.

T – Talent

            When I first started thinking about this notion the T-word Tenacity came to mind. And, while I do know form my own experience that it will take Tenacity to live a life of Authenticity, Tenacity didn’t quite fit with what I was trying to convey.

I believe that fully understanding what makes us unique is about knowing the answer to 3 questions. We’ve already addressed 2: “Who am I” and “Why am I here?”

          The 3^rd question is “What am I Given?” and relates to the Mind and to the inborn gifts or Talents we receive.

It seems easy to recognize Talent in others, particularly when it’s obvious like Mozart’s or Tiger Wood’s. But, often we deny our own Talent. How often when praised for being exceptionally good at something, have you said, “Oh. That’s nothing. Anybody can do that!”

Knowing your God given Talent is important. But, even more important is employing it – Authentically.

There you have it. My notion of the 3 keys to Essence.

Let me know what you think. Send me an e-mail or comment here on my blog!

Actually, though, as I revealed in my special Unsticking^TM Teleclinic last week, my life has been on a Transitional path since March 1985. That’s when I hit the wall big time and decided to reinvent my life. I simply had no idea that finding and LIVING my true Calling would take quite so long. And, be full of so many transitions.

When I turned 60 last September I made myself 2 promises: 1) I would no longer do work I didn’t want to do, and 2) I wouldn’t work with people that I didn’t want to.

Those 2 commitments have created interesting changes in my practice. The ‘good’ ones are the nifty, new clients I’ve met since then, the challenging new work that has come my way, and the increases in my income. What hasn’t been so neat are some of the emotions that have accompanied this Transition.

Let me explain, in the hopes you can relate.

We have this fantasy that change will be smooth and easy. OK, maybe that’s MY fantasy.

Seriously though, I’ve noticed that many of my creative, eclectic clients are by nature OPTIMISTIC about the future. Dreamers one and all we create plans that are based on nothing going wrong. Then when the car dies, the snow storm wipes out the power for 2 days, or we get sick, we find ourselves waaaaaaaaaaay behind!

Oh, and let’s not forget about the jim jams. That’s a fancy word for the emotional reactions that surface during a transition.

That’s what’s been happening to me of late. Sure, rationally I can blame my lack of productivity on the chaos caused when the engine in the SUV crapped out. Or, the interruptions and noise created by the renovations going on in the home office. And, the problems created when my we site move took 2 weeks instead of 3 days.

True, those things are aggravating, but that’s not really what’s really kept me STUCK!

Have you noticed this? The more you want your dreams and the closer you get to them, the MORE VULNERABLE you feel.

Sure been happening to me lately. I feel very tender, raw. So, if a client doesn’t immediately respond I start feeling paranoid, “Did I say something wrong?”

You see, transitions are times that take us back in some ways to our childhood self. Times when we didn’t have a lot of power or influence. Times when there were bogey men. Times when some of us were abused.

And, all those feelings get resurrected when the roller coaster of transition drops down the hill into depression.

So, what can we do when Transition time makes us feel vulnerable, scared, and overwhelmed?

Here are some things I’m doing:

1. Talking It Through

Even Introverts need to talk it over. Find a good friend, usually a woman cause most women can provide the emotional listening you need. My best friend Brenda and I talk for hours every week, particularly when either of us is struggling. And, believe that’s most every week cause both of us are working hard to grow up.

2. Write It Out

I’ve been stuck writing. Thank God I found and wonderful writing coach and healer who has been guiding me through some very powerful writing exercises. Thanks to Debora Seidman of www.WritingThePrayerOfYourLife.com I’ve started to write again. Now, all the uck is coming out – but so is the good stuff! Trust me. Writing is one of the most powerful things you can do to sort out and get through a transition.

3. Get Support!

I keep saying this because it’s true and because it works! When I’m struggling I pick up the phone and call my coach. He has me back on track in less than 30 minutes. Lately, I talk to him once a week. So, get the support you need – GET A COACH!

I’m happy to report that my website has been moved to a new host. That means you can tune in to THE Unsticking Coach for more on what I’m learning about change and transition.

CREATIVE CAREERS
UNLEASHED!

The online Career/Life/Work
Newsletter

For Writers and other Creative
Professionals

From Lyle T. Lachmuth

Professional Coach
& Writer

www.TheUnstickingCoach.com   

Want
to subscribe to the ezine. Just fill in your information in the boxes over on the left and Voila!

HOT LINKS

On
March 1^st I joined some of my fellow bloggers to engage in a little
thought experiment conceived and launched by Mr. BlogWild!
Andy Wibbels. Follow along as I experiment with The Power of Intention and
manifesting my Callings at my post series, "The Secret Movie 30 Day
Challenge."

=========================================

THE POWER OF CALLING

          As part of trying to understand my Neutral Zone experience,
I reread William Bridges, "Transitions:
Making Sense of Life’s Changes," particularly focusing on the chapter about
The Neutral Zone. I was struck by his comment that once you’ve entered "the Zone"
you can’t go back to where you were, even
if you want to. Why? Because just being in the Neutral Zone – even briefly
- forever changes who you are.

Last
week my former, fearless leader called me up to ask why I was quitting my
contract. I explained why. And, then he dangled a ‘carrot’.

Well,
I was tempted -. for about 30 minutes. Then I made a career limiting phone call
back to him. I explained that I "didn’t’
trust his offer because I felt like he was just trying to sell me.’ He didn’t
seem to like that feedback. Well no biggie, because in the course of pondering
his carrot I really did realize I didn’t want to go back.

But,
where did I want to go?

Have
you ever ‘forgotten’ your Calling? Or, denied it? Or, ignored it? Or, pushed it
away?

I
sure have. But, during my sojourn in the Neutral Zone IT has been making itself
heard. And, I finally listened, resulting in the decision to have fun with my
pseudo-scientific exploration of The Power of Intention, "The Secret Movie 30 Day
Challenge."

Today,
I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned about The Power of Calling.

What Is a Calling? 

I
am most familiar with the notion of Calling as described by my Christian Fundamentalist
doctrine. For me, growing up, The Calling was about being summoned by God to
serve "Him" as an evangelizer.

But,
as Gregg Levoy notes in his seminal work, "Callings:
Finding and Following an Authentic Life", many traditions have "calls".
Usually these precede prayer, initiations, spiritual healings, or major life
events and serve to summon adherents to, as Levoy notes, "a new level of awareness, into a sacred frame of mind, into communion
with that which is bigger than themselves… Primarily this force announces the
need for change; the response for it calls is an awakening of some kind." 

How Do Callings Show Up? 

I’ve
always experienced Callings as a wee voice speaking to me, combined with a ‘feeling’,
a ‘pressure’ like a hand on me, pulling me, prodding me, and guiding me.

So,
I was pleasantly surprised to discover other ways in which a Calling shows up.

One
is Passion. Levoy tells the story of Mark Dubois whose passion for the
Stanislaus River in
Northern California lead
him to found Friends of the River and then chain himself to a rock near the
river to prevent politicians from flooding the river past a level they had
promised wouldn’t be exceeded. Boy! That’s PASSION – and a hell of a Calling!

Through
the stories of others, Levoy shows how Callings can show up in Dreams. WHOA! I
said when I read that. I hadn’t thought of my dreams as a source of Calling,
yet have had very intense, TELLING dreams.

Finally,
Levoy explores how the Body can be a source of Callings. DOUBLE WHOA! I’ve known
for sometime that my body lets me know clearly and painfully when I am off
track. But, I had never really thought about its direct connection to Calling.
I’ve found Louise Hay’s little masterpiece, "Heal
Your Body" is a great place to look for the meaning of bodily symptoms. For
example, problems with our teeth are indicative of struggles with decision. And,
colds are signs of confusion. Sounds weird, but I know it’s been true for me!

How Can You Invoke Your Calling? 

A
word of caution first: DO NOT make any attempts to invoke your Calling unless
you are READY to go where it takes you!

I’m
learning that one big time!

I
put out an Intention to get clarity on what I’ve described as my Second
Calling. I’ve known for years that I’m Called to be a Teacher (read: Coach,
Trainer, Educator,

Mentor).
But, for the last 3 and a bit years I’ve had this ‘feeling’ that there’s something
more, or something else – my Second Calling.

Since
March 1^st I’ve been working my Intention through reading, prayer,
Inner Dialogue, and invoking Dreams. And, stuff has started to show up. But,
not the stuff I expected or at least not quite what I’ve expected.

You
see for awhile I’ve had this inkling that my Calling might be a call to be a
Healer. And, to work with victims of childhood abuse. But, so far, what’s shown
up is not quite that. For example, I have a client, a Clinical Social Worker,
who just yesterday invited me to co present with her at a provincial conference
of Social Workers. The topic: Promoting Your Social Work Practice. On the
surface that has nothing to do with helping wounded people.

But,
as my client pointed out, many professionals who are Called to be counsellors and
therapists have been wounded as children. Those wounds, and the work they’ve
done to overcome them, make them superb healers – and crappy self-promoters.
The act of trying to write copy, articles, and to do anything to EXPRESS
themselves OUT in the world evokes FEAR. They get STUCK big time.

And,
that’s where The Unsticking Coach comes into the picture. Why? Because I have
been there, done that, got the T-shirt, coffee mug, and scratches to show for
it. My Purpose is Life is to help people "professionals
rediscover and courageously express their unique gifts". That’s my Calling!
My Passion! Using My Gift of Words to teach others how to get unstuck.

So,
when you’re ready, pursue your passion(s), get out the crayons, invoke your
dreams, play inspirational music, and get ready to experience The Power of
Calling.

Let’s
sum up: I believe "God", "The Universe", "Your Higher Power", has Called each
of us. You CAN definitely ignore your Calling – but believe me it WILL HURT to
do so. Or, you can Invoke your Calling and experience The Power of Calling. The
choice is yours. 

Until
next time,

Lyle Lachmuth MS
(Organization Development)

The Unsticking Coach^(TM)

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

PRIVACY POLICY:  I will not rent, trade, or
sell your name and contact information to anyone, at any time, for any reason!

CAVEAT:
CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED and its publisher, are not engaged in providing
therapy. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only.

CREATIVE CAREERS
UNLEASHED may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety only, including
copyright, legal, and contact information and only with live links intact.

Copyright 2007 Lyle T. Lachmuth, All Rights
Reserved 

CREATIVE CAREERS
UNLEASHED!

The online Career/Life/Work
Newsletter

For Creative, Eclectic,
Multitalented Professionals

From Lyle T. Lachmuth

Professional Genre
Buster^(TM) 

www.TheUnstickingCoach.com 

Want
to subscribe? See that pretty graphic on the left? Fill in your name and e-mail , press the button, and Bob’s Your Uncle! 

==============================================

DISPATCH FROM THE
NEUTRAL ZONE! 

HOW TO CREATE
IRRESITABLE COPY

Do you HATE those sales
pages that scream with YELLOW!

How about learning copywriting that
works from a guy who: a) really knows his stuff, b) because he’s been a
freelance writer, and c) is a gentle supportive teacher and coach?

Take a look at this
brand N*E*W offering from my copy writing muse, Barry Morris.

Click here for Creating Irresistible Copy

========================================= 

DISPATCH FROM THE
NEUTRAL ZONE!

          As I said last time, The Neutral
Zone ain’t so Neutral.

          I share the following not because I want sympathy, sweets,
or chocolates – I do – but with the hope that these experiences

          Here’s some things I’ve noticed as I’ve stumbled, leapt,
shambled, zipped, through the past two weeks:

1) About THE
Experience

How
do you know you’re in Transition?

a) Emotions Ramp Up: Seriously, Transition shows up emotionally
and psychologically for everyone! However, how YOU manifest that shift
might be different from how someone else does. Traditionally we ’see’ women and
‘creatives’ as emotional, even moody. That’s because most women and most Creative
professionals are in touch with their emotions and feelings. If you’re a
Creative professional, emotions are what inspire you, shape your ‘art’, drive
you — and drive you crazy!

That’s
the ‘crazy times’ part of Transition. Transition sneaks ‘under your Radar’. You
feel out of sorts, not ‘normal’. But, you don’t know what’s wrong. You’re edgy.
Things that normally wouldn’t bother you now irritate you!

You
might start snapping at people. You might have trouble sleeping. You could
start craving sweets, especially chocolate. All this makes you feel ‘crazy’.

b) You Feel
Confused, Uncertain

I’ll
paraphrase Kermit the Frog, "its not easy
being creative!" You want to be unique and special – not "in the box". But,
at that same time you crave recognition and approval. You want people to like
your stuff – well enough that they buy it and, better yet, pay you well for it.

That
polarity is tough enough to manage when you’re feeling centred and grounded -
‘normal’. But, when you’re in transition and you’re feeling emotional and
vulnerable you can lose your way. WHO AM I? becomes a big deal. You question
everything you do. You doubt yourself. You worry, excessively, about what
others think of you. All of a sudden those great dreams you had look
impossible, stupid, or dumb!

c) You Feel
Tired, Discouraged, Deflated, even Depressed

All
those emotions and thoughts running around in your head tire you out! And, it
doesn’t help that you’re not sleeping right or eating properly. You’re NOT,
RIGHT!

Your
body and mind rebel even more. You run out of juice. Discouragement sets up
house. Your brain starts to manufacture dark thoughts. LIFE SUCKS! 

2) What
Doesn’t Work

- Ignoring Your Feelings: It would be great to ignore those feelings. Go
ahead and stuff them. But, it won’t work. Stuff ‘em and they will erupt. 

- Whine Therapy: Also know as B-tching or complaining. Okay, you need to a little. BUT,
spending days and weeks moaning, groaning, and carping WILL NOT help! It just
keeps you STUCK in the same feelings and emotions. TRUST ME, I’ve done it! IT
doesn’t work.  

- Worrying:
I forget who said this, "Most of the time
we spend time worrying about stuff that never happens." Sure you can spend
time chewing on your thoughts. It seems like you’re doing something. You are!
You’re wasting your bloody time and energy!

3) What
Helps!

- Support:
I you don’t have a Support network. CREATE one. DO IT NOW! Just the other day I
realized that one of the challenges of my current transition was the fact that
I had ‘lost’ my best support buddy. My business partner is massively busy,
engaged in a very large project and unavailable for consultation. So, when I
had that DUH experience: "Crud! I’ve lost
my most important professional sounding board"; I went out and found a new
coach and hired her to be my "shadow consultant". Man what a relief

What
support do you need? Do you need a coach? An advisory board? A "shadow
consultant"? A therapist? Get what you need!

- Time Outs:
Be kind to yourself. YES, I know all that stuff you WANT and NEED to do ISN’T
getting done as fast as you want. So, the last thing you need to do is slow
down, right! WRONG!

It’s
the MOST important thing you can do. Step back. Kick back. Slow down. Go for a
walk. Get a massage. Take a long hot bath. Relax. Nurture yourself and your
creativity.

Believe
me: when you are rested, relaxed, and calm you will be twenty times more
focused and productive!

- Forgiveness: Creatives like you aspire to greatness. You want to make a
difference. You want to be KNOWN. You want to impact the world. You want to be
remembered.

But,
your world is upside down. It can be so easy to crap on yourself and be mean to
yourself. DON’T DO IT! Forgive yourself for being what you are a creative HUMAN
BEING!

Let’s
sum up: When you commit to a Big Change you can expect to experience the roller
coaster ride called Transition. The good news: if you get support, take time to
nurture yourself, and forgive your mistakes the Transition will be far less
painful. 

===============================================

GENRE BUSTING^(TM) – Unleash Your Talents and Create the
Career and Life of Your Dreams!

Are
you a creative, eclectic, multitalented professional who wants to wear more
that one hat?

Do
you feel like ‘they’ are trying to force fit your unique talents into a one-dimensional
box?

Do
you think your talents are being wasted in a dead-end career?

Do
you yearn for a fulfilling career and a rewarding life?

Would
you like to know exactly how to design and live the career and life of your
dreams?

Then
it’s time to do some GENRE BUSTING^(TM)

Please
JOIN ME starting Tuesday, May 1^st,
2007 for "Genre Busting^(TM) – How to Design, Create, and Live Your
C.R.E.A.T.I.V.E. Career!"

Genre
Busting^(TM) will be a multi-week program designed especially for you the creative,
eclectic, and multitalented professional. The program details are still being
finalized but here’s what I can reveal:

When
you participate in this ground breaking NEW program you will:

- Discover your Top
3 Career Fields,   

- Learn what your Personality Type reveals about careers
that fit

   you,   

- Uncover your Career
Values & use them to tailor your career plan,   

- Rediscover your hidden
talents and skills,   

- Create a comprehensive,
detailed career & life plan tailored to your unique talents and needs,
and  

- At the end of the program, be well down the road to making your C.R.E.A.T.I.V.E. career a reality.

To
receive ongoing information on the Genre Busting^(TM) program. Send a blank email
to genrebusting [at] aweber [dot] com 

Until
next time,

Lyle Lachmuth MS
(Organization Development)

The Unsticking Coach^(TM)   

Your Talents > Your
Career >> Your Life >>> Your Way! ^(TM)

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

PRIVACY POLICY:  I will not rent, trade, or
sell your name and contact information to anyone, at any time, for any reason!

CAVEAT:
CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED and its publisher, are not engaged in providing
therapy. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only.

CREATIVE CAREERS
UNLEASHED may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety only, including
copyright, legal, and contact information and only with live links intact.

Copyright 2007 Lyle T. Lachmuth, All Rights
Reserved