Two of my most favourite experts in ONE SPOT!

From Andy’s blog:

"Conventional wisdom tells us that success is all
about perseverance. Never giving up. Sticking to it when the “going
gets rough.” After all, quitters never win and winners never quit.
Right?

Nothing could be further from the truth. Find out
why New York Times Bestselling author, Seth Godin, recommends that you
quit. And, quit right now. On Thursday, June 21st at 2pm ET,
you will learn why quitting may be the best thing you can do for the
growth of your business, your relationships, your career and your
happiness. This the strategy that Jack Welch, Olympic athletes, Apple
Computer and other greats use to become the “best in the world.”

Join us for this live call with Seth and Andy on Thursday, June 21st at 2pm Eastern Time.  On the call, you will discover:

• Why quitting may the best thing you can do for your business (and your life)
• How to become the “best in the world” at what you do
• When to quit a project, relationship or idea and when to stick it out
• Why the best in the world quit all the time – and why you should too!

Register now for this call."

Y’all know that I’m a big fan of networking.

And, here’s an even better reason to have a great, support AND supportive network…

Real Age reports, ‘Some people don’t have much memory loss from Alzheimer’s disease, even
though their brains show physical signs of it. And the more good
friends and close family they have, the less affected their memory
seems to be.’

I’ve been reading Keith Ferrazzi’s, "Never Eat Alone" and got to wondering what he was up to.

Exploring his site for the book I was lead to his "Life Coach 101" Tool. Gave it a try.

Revealing!

What I like is the fact that it gently forces you to create an ‘advisory board’ to help you with your goals. The idea is based on a principle in his book, Chapter 29 in fact. And, the system automatically creates a set of ‘contracts’ you can share with your advisors.

Now, to put the thing into action.

No less an ‘authority’ than the Wall Street Journal suggests how Blogging may garner the attention you want from prospective employers. Via MediaBistro

This report from Psychology Today online, suggests that by grabbing the cell phone to talk to a friend the instant a bad mood strikes we lose our independce. Their suggestion is that by mood managing this way we reduce our ability to tolerate challenges.

Hmm!

That annoys me. I think I’ll call my friend Brenda to chat about it!

It’s almost here!

Yep! My brand, spanking-new, interview series STARTS November 8, 2006.

BUT, I think the name of the series SUCKS!

So, I’m running a little contest.

The series will feature in-depth interviews with creative, eclectic, &/or multitalented, independent professionals who are "Slightly Famous" — to borrow the title of Steven Van Yoder’s wonderful book Get Slightly Famous

Currently the title of the series is "The Slightly Famous Touring Road Show".

But, I think it could be better!

Here’s the prize: I’m cleaning out my library. So, here’s what I’m going to do.

1st Place - 5 of my used-to-be favourite books  (all in excellent condition), e.g. "The 30th Edition of What Color Is Your Parachute".

2nd Place - 3 of my used-to-be favourite books, e.g. Radical Joy by Todd Allen Pressman.

3rd Place - 1 of my used-to-be favourite books — e.g. Working With Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.

Prizes will be awarded based on quantity and quality.

Send your suggestions here or simply comment on this post.

In a recent edition of my newsletter, Creative Careers Unleashed, I talked about strategies for finding the courage you need to make the changes you want and need to make.

Along that theme, I’d like to share this poem I wrote in 1987:

Courage

Cowards are we all,
Who easy choices make.

Fear whispers
In every ear,
Few choose
Not to heed.

Seldom to us
Is given greatness,
And, it is not
The grand acts
That make us great.
Rather,
Small choices
Carved out of despair,
Forged in pain.
Choosing life’s hurtful embrace.

Not for other’s
Scant approval.
But, for self,
We do that
Which we must do.

Living for ourselves
Is never easy.
We stand alone,
Balanced at the edge.

Giving no thought to others,
We fall amongst the uncaring.
Heed too much others’ calls,
We join the sheeplike masses.

And, yet all this knowing
We dare to say,
“I choose.”

I first heard the term "Power Questions" way back in 1990 when listening to Tony Robbins’ orginal Personal Power tapes, whilst driving to Saskatchewan.

I’ve always found questions useful — particularly when I ask useful questions.

So, I immediately set about crafting some Power Questions to help guide me on my journey.

Earlier today, I was cleaning up some old files and came across some Power Questions I created 3 years ago. I had forgotten about them. And, I had forgotten that I had created one Power Question for each of my Action Goals(TM).

My Top 3 Action Goals(TM) are:

- Continually Foster My Total Health and Wellness,
- Courageously Express My Gifts in My Work and My Life
- Nurture Relationships That Nurture Me

I ask my Power Questions every day, at the beginning of the day. Here are the Power Questions which support each  Action Goal(TM):

- What, if anything, do I need to do different or extra, today, to maintain and enhance my Total Wellness?

- What is THE most important thing I can do today to Advance the Success of my Business, Career, and Life?

- What can I do today to improve and nurture my relationships?

Those are mine. Now, craft some of your own.

Do you refuse to settle
on one career?

Have you been through
several positions, and discovered new and different passions with each one?

Are you struggling to
make a success of your ‘not-so-normal’ career?

Would you like to find
a way to actually employ more of your talents?

Would you like to hear
how others are dealing with the challenges of being a multi-talented
professional?

I call multi-talented
people like you and I Genre Bustersâ„¢ because we’re trying to "do it
all" and we don’t fit just one genre or theme. You can read more about Genre Bustersâ„¢ here.

As a Genre Busterâ„¢ myself, I’ve learned that I deliver the best
results when I’m creating a workshop or program that focuses on what my
learners really need and want.

So, here’s my invitation to you.

JOIN ME August 22, 2006 at 1:00 P.M Mountain Daylight (2:00 Central,
3:00 Eastern, etc.) for a F*R*E*E Teleclass to
look at building "Successful Careers for Genre Bustersâ„¢"

If you are even the least bit interested in learning more about being
a Successful Genre Busterâ„¢,

DO THIS: Send a blank e-mail to

gb-interest@aweber.com

I will send you an e-mail with your official
invitation to the workshop and I’ll ask for your input on the challenges of
being a Genre Busterâ„¢.

REMEMBER: To get your personal invitation to
the workshop, send a blank e-mail to

gb-interest@aweber.com
 

–

No career plan is worth spit until you act on it!

A partial plan tried out is better than a perfect plan left gathering dust.

Why is this especially true for Artistic/Creative types?

Because our careers are not linear. Don’t fit ‘normal’ job descriptions. And, are often composed of seemingly unrelated parts — but those parts fit because they fit us!

Creative/Artistic types don’t get handed a little blue book that spells out "The Secrets of Your Career!"

We develop fitting careers by dreaming, planning, trying, and seeing what works and what doesn’t.

So, grab your plan, even if not complete.

And, DO something.

Volunteer: stick your hand up when someone says, "hey who can do this?"

Knock on the doors of companies that have jobs like the one you think you want. See if you can job shadow. Get an information interview.

Pretend you know what you’re doing and send out your business card and a catchy letter offering your services. Nothing like learning by doing — and, maybe getting paid to do it.

Don’t just stand there — DO something.