Sunday, July 17, 2022

Unlimited Opportunities are All Around You



As I was driving along a road on the outskirts of town...the broad swaths of corn fields met with a golden blowing field of wheat. Heaven. These fields just seem to go on forever. I just want to run through them, 
with my pool shoes on, so no bugs will bite my toes. But alas, I restrained myself, so the farmers will not be angry with me.

Anyway, back to the purpose of this post. I posted this photo because the enormous fields and skies that seem to go on forever, remind me of one thing....UNLIMITED possibilities.

I have heard some pretty heart wrenching stories over my lifetime, of when folks were looking for a job and they just gave up. They stopped believing in themselves, in life, and in the opportunities all around them.

The more I reach out and see what is around me, on the internet and beyond, the more I see that there are UNLIMITED possibilities all around all of us. For those who make stuff.....content....or works of art, or songs, or wooden birdhouses, or financial plans.....I just want to help you understand that there are really unlimited platforms on which you can present WHATEVER it is that you make.


If you are a self publishes writer, I know of at least three free platforms upon which you can publish your own written manuscripts, at no cost, other than your time and creativity. The three that come to mind are
Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords and Draft 2 Digital. From what I understand, Smashwords is in the process of merging with Draft 2 Digital.

What are some other platforms that you can use to promote your artworks?
Kijiji, Craigslist, local art stores, local flea markets, yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, museums that feature local artists, as well as the galleries located in bigger cities.

What about local tv stations? Would they allow you to do a short segment explaining how you make your particular art works? What about youtube videos? It is so easy to film yourself for a simple youtube video to explain how you do what you do best. 

There is facebook, facebook marketplace. There is Twitter. You can use these social media sites to promote your content. 

There are so many platforms that require no upfront fees in order to start uploading your works. Redbubble is a good place which photographers and graphic artists can bring their best works and designs  to be featured on ¨print on demand" merchandise. There are no financial costs to uploading your special designs to these type of websites.

Reading Seth Godin´s writings really encouraged me to understand that with the way that the world has become such a global village, that it is easier now than ever before to find the particular type of fans that would find your works valuable. You no longer need to appear to a mass audience. You can stay unique and just keep spreading your art works and ideas until your tribe finds you by osmosis.

It  really doesn´t matter how unusual you are. You don´t need to force yourself to fit in. You don´t need to change your artistic style, or way of content creation to try to keep up with the ¨Joneses.¨
You really can be yourself. Be proud of who you are as an individual creator. 

Believe that some day soon, you really will and CAN be PAID to be YOU!

May God´s unlimited blessings begin to reveal themselves to you this week!

Peace,
Carla







Saturday, July 2, 2022

Countless Income Streams




Now now...you might say...she's waaay too cocky. She's out of her league.
Nope..... increase is indeed unlimited. Abundance is unlimited.

It's all about your imagination...It's all about your positive mindset.

When you are a content creator....know that there will always be new multiple platforms upon which you may place your content. New publishers, both for the self published artist and the more traditional publishing houses. They are all growing and learning how to put more good work out into the cosmos. They are morphing to find more work....just like what you create. Someone right now is looking for you....for what you have just the right now to express and put into words, or inventions, or songs, or artworks.

The world needs you. I don't know any other way to say this. You were born into this generation because you have something that needs expression that this generation requires. You were born for a reason. Make it happen. And don't lose faith.

Just as some social media platforms have their time in the sun....so others will be invented and rise up to take their place. Your content can be boosted onto all these spreading platforms....There are only the limits that you place or "refuse" to place upon your content.

Yes, you can create content for one platform....or for 100 platforms.
And then there are the platforms that will hunt you down and pitch and beg you to be on their platform.

Stay original....observe copy right laws and don't allow discouragement to stop your creativity from flowing. Keep creating. Stay artistic. Use your words. Use your colors, use your music. Stay confident. Adapt....learn how to navigate new software as often as possible, or pay people to do this for you.

Believe in your work! Do you know you have quality content? Do you "make good art" as Neil Gaiman would say? Don't stop now....don't slow down.

Do whatever you need to do to get back on that horse and make some more cool stuff.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF BECAUSE GOD BELIEVES IN YOU!

Carla.




Is it Possible To Be Too Focused?


There is a story about an interview that was done with Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Both gents were asked the same questions...."what is the single most thing important thing for success"?

They both answered with precisely the same word ..."Focus!".

I always feasted on that thought....as it one thousand percent was in alignment with my own mode of operation. 


When I became a "written goal setter" I noticed there was more spring in my step....and a more pointed look in my eyes. I knew where I was going....and whenever I was unsure...I would simply dig out my goal list from my purse or phone and recite my written goals.... Instantly I would feel my peace restore itself and I could walk confidently.

Knowing where you are going is refreshing. How else will you know you've arrived if you don't have a destination?

But, now for the sake of a good argument, let's assume, that it isn't always a good thing to be hyper focused on one's goals. Could it be that when humans are too focused...that they forget the simple pleasures.....like riding a bike or singing a song in the car ride to work? Can it be that goal setting transforms us from people who dance .....into people who simply march like soldiers towards a goal?

Is it good to march through life? Or is it better to dance?

 I am simply stirring the pot. It's good to take both sides of an argument to help assess the pros and cons of both sides of an equation.

One might also suggest that being too "goal oriented" can be challenging in a marital and family setting. If one or both parents are very focused on goals outside the home...will they still have enough time and energy for their spouse and children? Or does the spousal time and children time need to be written into their written list of goals? These are good things to consider.

Being uber-focused is definitely a powerful tool to accomplish virtually anything in life. But let's not forget to enjoy and appreciate those unwritten aspects of human life which don't make it onto your list.

Let's not forget to smell the roses....and appreciate the scent of the grass after a morning rainfall.
Let's not forget to commune with our Creator...the one who understands us and wants to help craft our written goals. Let's not walk alone.


Peace,
Carla.