Making a Living out of Living my Passion

Okay, here goes: I’ve decided to make a living out of living my passion. To make something out of what I’m good at. To become sustainably creative and get myself out of this financial rut.

Scary, huh?

But what’s even scarier is to know that if I don’t make a move right here, right now, I’ll be missing out on an opportunity to build a better life for myself. Because at the moment, I’ve pretty much hit rock bottom — the only way left for me is UP.

So the first thing to do is ask the right questions. For this I chose a book I bought in 2009. Back then, I had planned to work through it, but quit.

The book is called The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women, written by Gail McMeekin. 

Here are the questions which will help me determine my priorities.

Excerpt:

• Who and where is the audience you want to reach with your work?
• What is the message in your work?
• What business are you in, e.g., entertainment, education, enlightenment, fine arts, medicine, business services, or a combination?
• What percentage of time do you want to spend creating versus something else, like marketing? Create your own time formula and write your own job description from it. Be sure to include time for yourself and vacations. What tasks need to be delegated or how many employees/contractors do you need to make your business work?
• How much money do you want to make in the future? Remember, you need to project your gross income minus your business expenses and allot sufficient funds for taxes.
• All of us could market ourselves around the clock. Marketing is an endless task. How much time and energy are you willing to invest in this process? Write a list of marketing goals as the start of a marketing plan.
• Do you like public speaking or appearing on television and radio? Are you skilled at presenting yourself or do you need some training? Do you enjoy the limelight or dread it? Perhaps you’d rather write articles than be on the speaking circuit.
• How do you feel about being away from home? Is travel exciting to you or a chore? What happens to your creative energy when you travel? Many creative women limit their travel to a certain percentage of their time and choose where to go.
• How is your work best presented? Think innovatively about different models. Do you need a multimedia presentation, a Web site, a workbook, a film, or a sales force?
• How are you most comfortable presenting your work? What kinds of communications with potential clients or customers feel positive and mutually rewarding to you? Will these preferences work for you in the marketplace? Try some experiments. As more of the marketplace is influenced by the Internet, some exciting new possibilities emerge.

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I’ve made the decision. I’ve committed to changing my condition. I’ve taken the first step.

The goal is to go UP… no ifs, ands, or buts!

5 comments

1. Marilyn says:

   Awesome, awesome, awesome! We need you in this ‘new world’ Mudd! Looking forward to it and supporting your every move.

   June 6, 2012 at 3:35 pm

2. Mudd says:

   Thank you, thank you, thank you, Marilyn!

   YOU are the one who opened the door to this ‘new world’ for me. Your blog, your writing, you artistic creations have inspired me for years. You cannot imagine how you’ve filled my soul with beauty when life around me wasn’t all that pretty. I’m so very blessed to have you in my karma, darlin’

   xoxo

   June 6, 2012 at 3:55 pm

3. Rachel Dangermond says:

   Oh the places you will go!!!!

   Love, R

   June 6, 2012 at 6:42 pm

4. Rachel Dangermond says:

   But wait there’s more –

   “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” – Goethe.

   June 6, 2012 at 6:43 pm

5. Mudd says:

   Hey Hey Hey Rachel…

   I hope one of the places I’ll go is New Orleans… ’cause I can’t wait to meet you!

   YOU, my friend, are also a big part of the energy that has brought me to take this decision. Seeing how prolific you are at writing SO many blog posts, day in, day out, and connecting so easily with my heart and soul — thank you!

   So onwards I go, filled with the sweet love of two fantastic women. I am truly blessed.

   P.S.: Great quote — merci beaucoup

   June 6, 2012 at 7:02 pm

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