209 – July 28
“The shortest and best way to make your fortune is to let people see clearly that it is in their interests to promote yours.”—Jean de la Bruyere
Glenda has two young children and serious medical problems. The kids have had medical problems, too, which makes it impossible for her to work full-time. But she needed to make a living. What to do?
Glenda opened a quilting store. She only works one day a week, but the store is open seven days a week from morning until evening. Although the shop is fully staffed, Glenda has no payroll. She makes a nice profit and her income helps to support her family.
How does she do it?
Her store is completely staffed by volunteers. They are enthusiastic hobbyists, who love quilting. They are happy to spend their time among the quilts, quilting materials, books, and other hobbyists who share their passion. They receive discounts on merchandise, free materials, and free classes in exchange for their time. Everyone’s needs are met. Everyone is having fun.
And Glenda’s not living on disability, moaning about her fate. She’s a successful business owner making a wonderful living for herself and her family.
Think about how you might turn a hobby into a career. Can you use Glenda’s model to create something similar for yourself?
Pick your price. Make your budgets. Save money. Don’t go into debt. Then find another way to get what you want!
Today’s Affirmation:
“I always find creative ways to have all that I desire!”
If you ask kindergartners if they are an artist, 100% of them say yes.
If you ask 5th graders if they’re an artist, only 10% say yes.
Isn’t that sad? Somehow between the ages of 5 and 10, children get the message – from school, their parents, their friends, their peers, the media – that they aren’t an artist or that they aren’t creative.
But we are all artists and all creative all the time, with every choice we make, every item of decoration or clothing or makeup or jewelry or furniture or housing or transportation we pick! Stop the judgment; stop comparing yourself to someone else’s choice of style or color. Yes, you can appreciate another person’s flair or creativity, but the point is not to put yourself down with it, but to be inspired by it. Let your own creative soul express itself and fly!
Do something new and different today. Buy an article of clothing that’s just a little outside your comfort zone – a wild color that doesn’t go with anything else, or a funky piece of jewelry that isn’t your usual style. Go to a sci-fi movie if you never do, or go see a children’s cartoon even if you don’t have children. Reach out and make a phone call to someone you might not ordinarily call.
Break the chains of habit and circumspection and create your life anew just a little bit today.
Because you are an Artist.
