We’ve all heard of writer’s block, but most (all?) artists face times when their creative juices just aren’t flowing.

This week I had the opportunity to hear an interview with the queen of creativity, Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity – and the quintessential guide to moving through anything that’s blocking your artistic (or any other) genius. In addition to the Artist’s Way, Cameron has written 30 other books. Wow.

When asked what’s at the heart of her ‘brand’ Cameron replied “optimism and compassion.”The Artist’s Way emerged from her desire to help others, and is grounded in her own experience of how to overcome her own blocks and connect to what she calls “that holy place,” where creativity and spirituality fuse as one.

Here are a few tips and tools, from Cameron and others, on how you can reconnect to your creativity and let the magic begin.

1)  Write morning pages.
Writing three pages, by hand, in free flow form every morning is one of Cameron’s key tools to fueling creativity. In what could be considered a “divine download,” morning pages are a potent form of prayer and meditation. Says Cameron, “Hand-writing puts us in touch with our emotions. We learn how we feel about what we say. Writing by computer is a more shallow practice. It yields us speed and distance, but not the depth.”
 
2)  Make “artist’s dates.” 
This is another of Cameron’s keys to unlocking – and unleashing – creativity. Once a week, take a solo excursion to pursue something that interests you. I call these “Inspiration days.” It could be a trip to an art gallery, checking out a new restaurant or just taking photos in the park. These short journeys of the soul don’t have to be expensive or complicated, but they can foster conscious connect with a higher power.
 
3)  Go for a walk or take a break. 
Walking integrates our creative thoughts and helps us make conscious connections to new ideas and possibilities.
 
4)  Be present. Focus on one project. 
Multi-tasking adds confusion and distraction, and interferes with the creative channels. Choose a project that inspires or motivates you, and work on just that one. Even small amounts of progress add to a sense of accomplishment. And small victories make us happy… and want to continue creating.
 
5)  Trust in yourself, and the process.
In order to create, you have to trust in the authenticity of your own impulses and originality. When you set out to create something, have faith and believe in what you’re doing. Step away from any inner censors or critics. If you listen to them, they’ll stop you in your tracks.
 
6)   Embrace imperfection. 
There is great power in taking action, even imperfect action. Perfectionism is the kiss of death for creativity. Begin by taking small steps, cooperate your creative impulses, and be open to whatever happens. Be willing to be bad.
 
7)  Pursue it and do it.
In the end, in order to create anything we have to be willing to make a good attempt… to persevere… and to send it out there. As Tim O’Reilly so brilliantly says: “Pursue something so important that even if you fail, the world is better off with you having tried.”
 
How do you fuel your creativity or overcome blocks? 

I wrote this en route home from Atlanta, after another inspiring three-day retreat with my business coach Christine Kane, and hundreds of women (and a few men) entrepreneurs. With a blend of holistic wellness meets new ways of marketing, we were takin’ care of business with soul and strategy. By examining and challenging our beliefs, thoughts and actions – those that serve us or defeat us – combined with learning about strategic systems, technology, social media and more, upleveling our businesses became “mission possible.”

Here are 10 things I learned about connecting mind, business and soul.

1) Mindset first: skill set second.

This is one of Christine Kane’s mantras. A person’s inner work and state of being always affects outer success. As Christine tells her clients: the reason we set goals at all is because of who we become as we’re reaching them. Anyone in business, particularly entrepreneurs, must continually deal with their mindset, intention and actions. Thoughts become things, so it’s critical to choose good ones.

2) Soul AND strategy create desired outcomes.

You can’t be all “love” and no action. We can amp up our businesses (and our lives) with just the right combination of spiritual mojo, left-brain strategy and new approaches to marketing that promote authenticity and connection.

3)    Every profession is a service profession. (To quote Harrison Ford)

Businesses are here to serve people. Without clients, customers or ”peeps” to pay for your product or service, you don’t have a business – you have a hobby.

4) Setbacks are keys to solutions.

If we view problems differently, obstacles faced in business often become portals to finding ways to overcome them and serve clients better.

5) Honor where you are and what you need.

In business and in life, old models, ideas and benchmarks must be released, before you can identify new possibilities, and the support you need to get there.

6) More conversation, less presentation.

The new way of marketing is all about personal connection, resonance and being real. Your website, blog, business letters, products and services etc. should all speak to and with the people you serve.

7) Success is never on sale.

When we discount or devalue our skills and expertise, it causes our business (and our selves) to contract rather than to expand.

8)    A big dream without a roadmap is a dangerous thing.

Without a clear vision, structure and plan, fear and doubt easily enter in and take you – and your business – off course.

9)    You must exit your comfort zone. We’ve heard this before, but growth often requires risk, and moving through fear, discomfort and unfamiliar territory. The sweetest fruit is always out on a limb.

10) When you’re interested you’ll do what’s convenient, when you’re committed you’ll do what it takes.

Success requires commitment. What more is there to say?

What ways do you add a little soul to your success or business?

Just back from the “Uplevel Your Purpose” retreat with my business coach and mentor Christine Kane, here are 10 things I learned about creating a purpose-based business.

1) People remember stories more than concepts. We writers know this… a good story sticks with people. They’re fascinated about how you do reiki with horses, or create a six-figure income from doing intuitive astrology; it changes the way they think about you, and your business.

Writers are merchants of ideas. And good stories build character, credibility and connection.

2)   Vulnerability and credibility are a winning combination. Both contribute to authenticity (especially if the tears are real) and, let’s face it, authenticity is the new black.

3)   Systems are like dog parks – they provide the structure and space through which creativity and productivity can run wild, yet be contained. Systems offer a way through which money, customers, products and services can flow.

4)   Impression of increase is important in positioning your business for success. Don’t hide your, or your business’s, brilliance and growth. If you’re doing work on four continents, selling art to celebrities or just got published in the New York Times brag a little… hell, brag a lot.  It’s OK to let your clients, customers and fans to know that you’re BRILLIANT at what you do – it might even help sales.

5)   Tell your Signature Story. This is the story or experience that captures the “Why” you do what you do. Whether your decision to change your career (or your life) was prompted by a cockroach walking across your face in a seedy hotel, a traumatic car accident, or an allergic reaction to a 9 to 5 schedule, people love to know what pulled the trigger, made you leap or defined the moment that led you to become YOU.

6)   Fall in love with what makes you DIFFERENT. The world has more than enough mediocrity, clichés and conformity – standing apart means standing out and standing strong. One of my friends and fellow masterminds is the only female cosmetic surgeon in a medical practice of 24 men, which puts her at an advantage, not disadvantage.  She’s not only a great surgeon, she offers compassion and a genuine understanding of what her female clients need, want and fear.

Another friend and business colleague of mine just left the highly-secure corporate consulting world to lead the life of a nomad, go completely mobile, and become an entrepreneur-out-of-a-suitcase, at least for awhile.  She’s taken courage, cool and client service on the road.

Work, and live, outside the box.

7)   Break your own rules. The beauty of being an entrepreneur, and one with a purpose, is that you can choose to work when you want, how you want, with whom you want, and charge what you’re worth. Don’t just think outside the box… work outside the box. That’s the ultimate freedom.

8)   Lean into it. Most great plans, big achievements and hugely successful businesses are realized beginning with small, deliberate steps – one at a time and, often, one day at a time. By leaning into it and taking one step, and then the next one, and then the next one, we can continue to move forward without feeling overwhelmed and immobilized.

9)   Take imperfect action. If we wait to do things perfectly we often don’t do anything at all. It’s time to reign in the perfectionism, to  take imperfect action rather than no action. (Note: exceptions taking to imperfect action include surgery, tattoos, and weddings in Vegas.)

10)   Love is the new business model. People are not seeking “branding,” they’re seeking CONNECTION.

Thanks for being here.

And speaking of connection, if you’d like to connect on Facebook, please hit the “Like” button on the right hand side of this page.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and we’re reminded (everywhere!) to tell the ones we love how much they mean to us. But how about injecting some love into your job, career or business?

When you combine a passion for what you do and with a little love for those you work with or those you serve, you create “loverage.”

I read about loverage in The One Minute Millionaire, whose authors say the enlightened path to wealth has three easy steps: “Do what you love; add enormous value; loverage it.” And when you walk that path millions will follow.

Human action is propelled by emotion. When you love what you’re doing, good ideas evolve into great value, people notice – and if they connect emotionally – they act, buy and rave. From there, success rushes in like valentines in a kindergarden class as your clients, customers or fans just can’t get enough of what you have to offer. Irresistibility is a good thing.

People buy from people they know, like and trust. I’d go a step further and say that we buy from companies (people) that we respect, love, and trust.

High-passion entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk defines the best marketing strategy ever this way: Care.

Love is the new way of doing business, as Kevin Roberts says, author of Lovemarks. “The idealism of love is the new realism of business. By building respect and inspiring love, business can move the world.”

When inspiring businesses connect with inspired consumers, the economic possibilities are endless. Just look at the world of Apple.

So here’s to powering up your passion, business and life by:
doing what you love + value to others + loverage = wild success.

That’s better than chocolate.

None of us is as strong as all of us.

If two heads are better than one, imagine the collective power of 15 entrepreneurial women committed to their vision, businesses… and changing the world.

This year to accelerate my growth, both personally and professionally, I joined a mastermind group with business coach and mentor Christine Kane. (That’s all of us in the photo.)

Power is essential for success.  Even brilliant ideas and plans go nowhere without the power to move them into action. With the collective energy (and genius) of others, one person can achieve what others might call “the impossible.”

When two or more people come together for a definite goal or vision it creates a third energy or mind – a mastermind.

This “mastermind,” formed in the spirit of harmony by all those involved, is considered to be a higher consciousness, with an even greater, intangible power and potential for change.

In short, a mastermind allows one to leverage the power of many.

The combined knowledge, experience, resources and efforts of the group create momentum – and velocity – in getting things done, in a big way.

The stronger the group, the stronger the impact as this higher energy with a higher purpose is sent out into the world. Answers, ideas and action plans come effortlessly to each member of the group.

Many people say a group is only as strong as its weakest link, but really it’s as strong as its strongest link. Great leaders, teams and businesses surround themselves with people of different talents and skills, each of whom has his or her strengths to contribute to the greater goal.

Mastermind groups also work well because members invest time, energy, and often money, to move toward their goal or vision.  Commitment and accountability keep each person and the group on purpose… and on track. This spirit of harmony and clear intention adds its own force field of excitement and unlimited possibility.

If you’ve got big dreams or big projects to launch in 2011, a mastermind group can help you move forward with speed and ease. So join up. Power up. And buckle up.

It’s like a fast track for your soul.

It’s the first week into the new year and many people are already overwhelmed with new projects, goals, business schedules and life in the fast track. How do we get all (or any) of it done in a world of constant demands and distractions? In a word – Focus. That’s also the title of a great new e-book/manifesto by zen blogger Leo Babauta.

While Leo writes about all kinds of helpful Zen Habits to get focused, I love his simple approach to “getting amazing things done.” Lately, it’s how I start, and prioritize, my work everyday… and my productivity is way up.

Here’s my edited version of his 3 easy steps to focus… and finish.

Step 1: Find something amazing to work on

First things first, find something amazing that you want to work on today… choose something exciting or fun. It can be a work project, business idea, learning a new skill, taking photos, writing a song… or writing a blog!

But it should be something that excites you, and compels you to work on it because you’re inspired, excited, motivated.  It doesn’t have to be huge, just “amazing” by your definition – it could be a novel, a screenplay, a garden, a new craft or a new recipe.

Step 2: Clear away everything else

This may be the hardest step: clearing away distractions.

But in order to focus, you’ll need to clear your desk, clear your computer (close all programs, including your browser, that you don’t absolutely need for this task), and clear (turn off) your techno-interruptions, such your phone, Blackberry, iPhone, and anything else that might distract you from your Something Amazing.

Step 3: Focus on that something amazing

OK, all clear. Now just focus on that Something Amazing — that one task you chose that you’re excited about, that’s going to change your life in some small way. Do this as soon as you can in the day — not after lunch or late in the day. Again, this step, like clearing all the distractions, can be a challenge. The great urge to respond to email, Twitter, Facebook, that phone call or anything else, can be unrelenting. If that happens: Stop, take a deep breath, and remember why you chose this task. Feel that excitement, and focus.

Of course, big Amazing projects may take days, months or years, but just by focusing on ONE task for an hour or two each day, you’ll be able to complete great, exciting, and possibly life-changing things.

And then, all that’s left to focus on is celebrating your accomplishment.

Note: Leo Babauta has waived the copyright on the content from his book Focus and encourages sharing it. See his simplicity manifesto.

This past week I attended the CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) Unconventional Convention in Montreal – and it delivered many ‘unconventional’ ideas and approaches that can be applied to business… and to life.

If you or your business is looking to roar in to the new year with new focus and new strength, Ian Thomas, an animal tracker and business strategist from South Africa, has a great model for you. Thomas talks about “The Power of the Pride” and how businesses can build teams that thrive by observing the most powerful group in the jungle – a pride of lions.

In the African bush and the business jungle, everyone loves the idea of eating their competitors.

Powerful teams are built by powerful individuals.

Lions choose to hunt together. Prides work because everyone has a “specialty” and knows what they’re superb at. Lionesses do most or all of the hunting because they’re fast, camouflaged and designed to hunt; males must protect the lionesses and hold the territory.

What are you superb at?

Thomas says when he asks business people that question, most of them panic. Very few are prepared to state it on paper. Some just don’t know their strengths, and others are unclear.

Does every team member know and understand the final goal?

If you are hunting big game, you must all focus on the same target.

Lions know what the goal is and focus on one goal. If a lioness is going to take down and 750-kilogram bull buffalo, every lion on the team must be there to support her. If even one or two lions are unclear and uncommitted the result can be failure… death or starvation.

In his work with business teams, Thomas says, on average, 40% of people do not write down the same goal. In other words, out of every 10, four people are doing something else. And in some cases, Thomas has seen whole teams that don’t know what they are trying to do.

In the animal kingdom – and business world – trust is essential.

The only reason a lioness is prepared to attack, and risk injury in hunting a huge target is because she knows the other six are coming in hard and fast to back her up, says Thomas. She has 100% trust her team is coming to help her.

Trust is huge, and if breached can destroy individuals… and the entire pride.

Out in the jungle, you have to trust each other, look after each other, and get over your ego or any self-serving attitude.

Trust is also the least understood. Trust is about knowing that if the team is focused, clear and each superb at her job, the team will ‘make the kill’ … everyone will eat, everyone will be healthy, and it will allow everyone to get more of what they want.

As soon as you do not buy into that goal, you become untrustworthy. And if team members don’t even know what the goal is, you’ve got no chance.

In the business jungle trust is equally critical.

You must know who your customers are, know exactly what they want from you, and be able to deliver the goods. And in joint ventures, partners must be confident in the other person’s ability.

Conflict or change can be healthy when it allows you to create powerful individuals who can lead a trustworthy team. Many of us fear the potential in someone else’s abilities. However, if we can learn to work with people’s strengths, and not against them, the results are magnificent.

The more powerful your team, the stronger you are to ensure a great future.

Lionesses know the importance of nurturing, protecting and teaching the cubs. They need these potential sprinters to protect the future strength of the pride.

The male lion king also knows his place on the team. He is a great tactical fighter but without his lionesses hunting for him, he is weak, hungry and, ultimately, dead. He secures the territory for the lionesses to hunt and raise strong cubs. The lion king and lionesses are a team with different skills but they back each other up… 100%.

Imagine if you could create that kind of trust and respect in your business,  family or relationships!

To create this kind of power – in business, at home or in life – act like a lion pride:

1) Build strength in the individuals.

2) Focus clearly on what you are trying to do – as an individual, family or team.

3) Look to one another for communication and support.

4) Develop trust by knowing your goal, buying into it and delivering on it. If you are unable or unwilling to deliver, say so.

5) Be competent. Know your strengths.

6) Back one another up!

Here’s to a prosperous new year of building stronger teams and businesses, with worthy targets.

Photo: Dogrando on Flickr under a Creative Commons License

At some point in life, many of us ask ourselves: What should I do with my life? And usually this question refers to the perfect job or career for us.

I recently read something by Caroline Myss, a medical intuitive and renowned author, who puts this ‘pursuit of happiness’ in the context of a spiritual path.

In Myss’s model of evolution, you begin by needing to work, as a matter of survival, then you develop a thirst for career and then a passion for a vocation.

And it works in this order. You want a career because it pays more than a job, and you want a vocation because it’s fulfilling. A career may bring financial wealth, but a vocation brings spiritual wealth.

“For those on the spiritual path, one of the reasons that people express such dissatisfaction with what they’re doing in life is because they don’t realize they’re asking for a vocation and not a career,” Myss says. “They’ve moved past the career stage, and they want a vocation and don’t realize it.”

A vocation is a calling, where you feel that you need to be of service. You are called to do something that will not only fill your wallet but also your soul…and often reaches others at a soul level as well.

So you go from thirst to passion.

And where your passion is starving, you’re in search of a vocation – not just a career.

Are you and your spirit happy at work?

To read more go to www.soundstrue.com/guide/lifepurpose/#!state_lesson_more_106

Sometimes life throws us opportunities that are way out of our comfort zone, but last week I realized that if you really want to take your business, relationships or life to the next level you’ve got to Step Up and Step In, or Step Out.

I hopped on a plane to Asheville, North Carolina to attend Uplevel Live, a three-day retreat led by the amazing Christine Kane, a mentor to women entrepreneurs. The event took place at The Grove Park Inn (a swanky resort where US presidents stay),  a perfect setting to gather of group of highly successful business owners.
I was surrounded by and introduced to women whose businesses are changing the world, and some of whom are earning six- or seven-figure incomes. Whether they are artists, life coaches, physicians or own a wide range of other businesses their commitment to transformation and success is huge… and that’s the pool I want to play in.

To move forward, in business or in life, you have to immerse yourself in the community – or “tribe” – you want to be in. For example, when I left a career in nursing to pursue a degree in journalism I started hanging out with writers – good ones – and taking classes with established, award-winning authors.

For me, the move from the science-based world of health care to the more artistic realm of writing and communications was a big leap of faith. But I made the decision to jump. That year there were more than 400 applicants to the MA in Journalism program at The University of Western Ontario; 44 were accepted. And I was one of them.

At this recent gathering of high-powered women entrepreneurs I was reminded of an important “law of the universe” that comes into play whenever you want to manifest wealth, success or great change in your life: You must learn to make decisions from Where You Want to Be, not from where you are.

Now, as I plan to take my freelance writing and editing business in a new direction, I’ve signed up for Christine Kane’s Platinum Mastermind group for a year of laser-focused business coaching, a flood of inspiration … and a whole lot of new ideas, strategies and implementation.

As I step up and step in to the new year, I look forward to stretching myself to new limits and possibilities.

Are you ready to step up and step in to something new?

What decision can help take you to Where You Want to Be?

I recently discovered The Fire Starter Sessions: A digital experience for entrepreneurs, written by Danielle Laporte.

In this incredible “e-book meets video transmission of business acumen and love,” there is a whole lot of mojo + logic + links/sites/interviews with amazing experts and resources that can help spark your genius and light a fire under your business (and other parts).

The Fire Starter Sessions include 19 actual Sessions, about 13 videos + 22 worksheets.

Some of the Sessions are:

True Strengths + The Metrics of Ease

Branding: Clarifying the Diamond of You

Products + Services:

Making Stuff That Feels Good to Make

Money: More is More, Enough is Plenty

Web Design + Traffic

Your Virtual Real-Estate

Stamina + Losses

Time + Fear Management

Visioning: Authentic Dreaming

Collaboration: Supporting Characters

… and more.

Danielle has been called a high-priestess of practicality, and as she shares her wisdom and (vast) experience aims high but stays grounded. As I work through the Fire Starter Sessions I am inspired, and “ignited” to expand my own vision, business and life.

If you’re looking to build a vision, a dream business or just light a fire under what you’re already doing, I highly recommend the Fire Starter Sessions. And if you aren’t in love with what you’re doing… this may also help you light up a different, more authentic and hot and happy path. Check it out.  Watch the video, then click on the “get stoked” button below.

Here’s to igniting your passion and fuelling your business.