The Successful Dilettante

Issue 38 - Collection Box for the Brain

The Successful Dilettante
January 20, 2008  -  Issue 38  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

You are receiving this ezine because you subscribed to it or the creative multipreneur ecourse.  If you no longer wish to received this publication, please click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this page.

You will find a printer friendly copy here:
http://www.susanhenderson.com/newsletter.html

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In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Featured Article - Collection Box for the Brain

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Greetings/News

A warm welcome to all you intrepid creative multipreneurs. If you are looking for articles, tools, resources and book referrals to assist you on your journey in designing a life that encompasses your many passions and interests, you are in the right place.

In the last issue, I told you about a new movie to be released January 11th titled The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. I have since seen the movie and I enjoyed it greatly.  Yes, it is bittersweet because these guys are dying of cancer, but it is also comical as they go about fulfilling the items on their list of what they want to accomplish before they "kick the bucket." The biggest takeaway: Don't wait, or waste, another minute!  Make that list, clarify what is important to you, and start living a more fulfilling life.

Last time we covered the importance of getting these wishes and dreams out of your head and down on paper. Today's article is about capturing all those fresh incoming ideas that continually show up as you go about your daily life. We will also talk about organizing your life goals in a way to start putting them into action.

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Featured Article - Collection Box for the Brain

Creating a life goals list is a continuing process. It is ever changing, morphing and growing as we check off items we have accomplished and add more as we change, morph and grow from those experiences.  Ideas and flashes of insight and inspiration can hit you anywhere, at any time—an overheard snippet of conversation, watching children play or dogs interacting at an off-leash park, alone in nature or in the middle of a crowded concert hall, in your dreams or in the shower.

Capturing the Idea
If you don't have a system to collect these nuggets, some may be lost forever. I suggest carrying a small notebook, memo pad or a few 3" X 5" cards with you at all times to capture those great ideas before they slip away.  Whether it is a big "aha" or a reminder to pick up the laundry from the dry cleaners, write it down.  For ease of sorting and putting these ideas or suggestions into action later on, I recommend writing one per page or card.

As for capturing those dreams, keep pen and writing material on your bedside table.  And if you can't wait until you are out of the shower to jot down your thoughts, there are waterproof boards and pens you can buy and hang in the shower. Really.

As Henriette Anne Klauser shares in her book Write It Down, Make It Happen, having a place to record your musings, and keeping it nearby with a pen, sends a signal to your brain that you are ready for its input.  She writes: "Carrying a little book with you honors the ideas that come to you, and when you do that, the part of your brain that comes up with these suggestions will be so thrilled to get a little attention and respect that it will send you even more. You will become a hotbed of lively suggestions sparking your imagination continually."

Organizing for Action
Now that you have dumped all your life goals out of your head and onto paper, transferred these goals to 3x5 cards, plus set up a system of capturing new ideas to add to your life goals list or ideas on how to execute items already on your list, you will want a simple way to start moving these into action.

In the last issue, I gave some suggestions for categorizing your goals as you transferred them to your cards, such as using different colored cards or pens for sorting out different goal categories like business, family, spiritual, health, learning/education, travel, and so on.

As you write each goal on its card ask yourself why you want it and how would you feel if you accomplished it.  Question your motivation. You want to spend your time and resources on those desired goals that come from within you and not from outside of you.

As you are sorting through these cards, pull out those you want to accomplish in this next year's time as well as those big dream projects that will take longer, but can be broken down into stages that can be accomplished this year.  For now, put the rest in a manila file, folder or file box marked "someday."  Don't worry. They will be there waiting for you.

Next up is to prioritize those goals you are going to accomplish this year. You will probably want to separate them into categories first. What do you want most and/or soonest? Flip that card over and so on through the cards. Also take a look at your big long-term goals and determine what part or stage you can accomplish in this next year.

The simple act of writing your goals down is a declaration of your intent to experience, have, do, be, visit, or learn what you most desire in life.  By declaring your intent, you are raising your level of awareness of the opportunities that are there for you.

In the next issue, I'll share with you some ideas on organizing, housing and scheduling these goal plans.

Warmly,

Susan

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Offerings from Susan Henderson Coaching

Coaching
I currently have openings for three one-on-one clients.  If you would like to learn more about if and how Susan Henderson Coaching can help you achieve your desired goals, please contact me to set up a time to talk. This conversation is complimentary so I can learn more about you, your current situation and goals. And you can learn about me, how I work with clients, and the coaching process.  If we both feel the coaching relationship is a good fit, we will move on from there.

Mastermind Book and Groups
The DIY Mastermind Group: Insider Secrets to Creating a Successful Mastermind Group of Your Own ebook is now available on my website. But that's not all. With the purchase of this book, I am offering you a 30 minute private brainstorming session.  Click here to find out more.

It's a great time to get involved with a mastermind group to help you make 2008 your best year ever. If you don't have the time to set up your own group, consider my Power of Five Facilitated Mastermind service.  Click here to learn more.

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2006-2008 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.

Issue 37 - The Bucket List

The Successful Dilettante
January 5, 2008  -  Issue 37  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

You will find a printer friendly copy here:
www.susanhenderson.com/newsletter

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In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Featured Article - The Bucket List

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Greetings/News

Welcome and Happy New Year.

As mentioned in the last issue, you will be seeing some changes in this ezine. Feedback from the survey I did late last spring and from conversations and emails with some of you, indicated the majority prefer the how-tos of living and working as a successful dilettante or creative multipreneur. With that in mind, I will be offering articles, tools, tips, resources, book or website referrals and an occasional interview with a featured guest to help you in your journey.
 
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The Bucket List

On television lately there has been a trailer for a movie due out soon called The Bucket List. It stars Oscar winners Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson who as two terminally ill patients end up sharing a hospital room.  Even though they led very different lives, they discover they have two things in common: a need to come to terms with who they were and the choices they made, and a strong desire to spend the time they have left doing everything they ever wanted to do. 

Freeman's character recalls a suggestion by his philosophy professor that his students compose a bucket list of everything they hope to accomplish before they kick the bucket.  So, they make a list and against doctor's orders, check themselves out of the hospital and set off on a wild journey to do just that.

This concept of making a life-goals list is not new. Many books and articles on manifesting what you desire in your life, suggest writing it all down as a way to make it happen.  With the freshness of a new year and talk of resolutions and goal setting, as well as taking stock of where you are and where you want to be, doesn't it seem like a perfectly good time and logical idea to make a bucket list of your own?

Get It Out of Your Head

Instead of carrying it around in your brain with vague someday wishes attached, get it all out of your head and onto paper where it can start to look real and doable in your lifetime. Include the seemingly impossible. Write down everything you want to be, do, have, visit, experience and learn before you kick your bucket.

Do this. Find some quiet, uninterrupted time to compose your list of life goals. Write really fast on paper. Do not linger over it or self-limit because you think it is too far out of reach. Do not organize it. Just dump it out there. Everything. Write from your heart.  Nobody is watching. This is only for you. Done? Great. Now set it aside for 12-24 hours or so. You may have the urge to tinker with it, but don't yet. Let it rest.

When you do go back through your list, first look for those things you wrote that are someone else's goals for you. Cross them out  Do the same for those goals that are driven by the desire to impress someone else, but aren't truly what you are about. As you go through your list and organize or categorize in a way that works best for you, think about the motivation for that goal.  Is it coming from inside or outside of you?

Get Into Action

Now let's not stop with a list in a notebook or on papers in file that is put away and forgotten. Let's get some action going. First, get a  big stack of 3" X 5" cards—white, colored, lined, unlined, whatever you prefer. Write down one goal per card.

What? Why didn't she tell me that in the first place, you might ask? Because it can slow you down in the brain-dumping process and you might be more apt to over think it all. 

Now is the time for giving each goal some thought. You might choose to use colored pens, cards, or even stickers for different goal categories, such as business, family, spiritual, personal, education/learning, travel, and so on. These goal cards will move you into action.  If it is satisfying for you to keep a list where you can check off or cross out a goal as it is achieved, by all means please do that, too.

What's Up for 2008?

As you are revisiting your list and transferring each goal to its own card, be thinking about what goals you want to accomplish in the next year. Set those cards in a separate pile. When you are through transferring all the goals and possibly adding a few more, take the goal cards you set aside for this next year and prioritize them by what you want most for yourself in 2008. You may want to break them out by category, as well.

Some of these goals will need to be broken down into smaller goals or action steps and have a longer timeline then others. And once you start writing down your goals, you will start receiving all sorts of energizing ideas related to the execution of those goals. It's exciting and a bit overwhelming.

In the next issue of this ezine (January 20th), I will share ideas, tools and resources on how to manage your goals and how to capture all those new ideas coming in. Meanwhile, get yourself a small notebook or 3" X 5" cards to carry with you at all times to grab those ideas as they come up.  If you wait too long, they are gone.

Do you love books and want to explore this deeper? Check out Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser. It is full of advice and stories about ordinary people who experienced wonderful things in their lives after writing their goals on paper.

You are welcome to contact me if you have any questions or want to share your experience with this process.

Warmly,

Susan

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Offerings from Susan Henderson Coaching

Coaching
I currently have openings for three one-on-one clients.  If you would like to learn more about if and how Susan Henderson Coaching can help you achieve your desired goals, please contact me to set up a time to talk. This conversation is complimentary so I can learn more about you, your current situation and goals. And you can learn about me, how I work with clients, and the coaching process.  If we both feel the coaching relationship is a good fit, we will move on from there.

Mastermind Book and Groups
The DIY Mastermind Group: Insider Secrets to Creating a Successful Mastermind Group of Your Own ebook is now available on my website. But that's not all. With the purchase of this book, I am offering you a free 30 minute private brainstorming session.  Click here to find out more.

It's a great time to get involved with a mastermind group to help you make 2008 your best year ever. If you don't have the time to set up your own group, consider my Power of Five Facilitated Mastermind service.  Click here to learn more.

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2006-2008 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.

Issue 36 - Ch-ch-ch-changes

The Successful Dilettante
December 20, 2007  -  Issue 36  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - Ch-ch-ch-changes

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Greetings/News

Happy Holidays!  A warm and cozy welcome to both old and new subscribers. I am happy to have you here and so grateful for the friends I've met since starting this ezine a year and a half ago. What amazing people you are. I am truly honored when you opt to send me an email or give me a call to share the story of your multi-faceted jewel of a life. More please.

TA DA!
The DIY Mastermind Group: Insider Secrets to Creating a Successful Mastermind Group of Your Own ebook is now available. This was a labor of love, folks. But that's not all. With the purchase of this book, I am offering you a 30 minute private brainstorming session.  Click here to find out more.

But wait, there's more. Well, this is a bit of a teaser, but in early January I am offering a mastermind group training program based on the concepts from the ebook and more.  While experiencing what it's like to participate in a small, supportive mastermind group, you will also learn how to create a group of your own. A great time will be had by all.  Official announcement coming soon.

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Susan's Musings -  Ch-ch-ch-changes

As the end of 2007 fast approaches, I have been taking a look at the past year of my life and business to appreciate what I have done right and what I want to change.  In making decisions on how I can be making it great in 2008, and serve the readers of this ezine in a better way, I will be changing the face and format of The Successful Dilettante starting with the January 5th issue.

I don't know about you, but I am so buried in email that reading all the newsletters I subscribe to from truly smart, inspiring people has become a time-gobbling task. I skim them, if I even read them at all.  The ones I do read completely are roughly 500-700 words and can be read in 2-3 minutes or less, yet are packed with value.

With that in mind, I will not only "tart-up" the look of this ezine, but will also shrink it to bite-sized chunks of information and resources for all you creative multipreneurs on the quest to have it all.

What about the interviews with successful dilettantes?  It is good to learn from and model what those dilettantes who have created a successful life have done to get there.  So I don't intend to do away with the interviews, but to change the delivery format to live teleseminars and audio recordings.

In 2008, you will see more products and services from me with creative multipreneurs in mind.  Many of us have spent our lives feeling alienated and misunderstood by those who don't get that some of us are not built to choose just one thing. I've felt a strong call to create a safe, supportive community for creative multipreneurs to meet, network, learn, share, create joint venture partnerships, and so on. All without the threat of someone asking, "When are you going to settle down, choose one thing and stick to it?"  Look for information and launch of this program in the first quarter of 2008.

I am wildly curious to know what you would most like to read about in The Successful Dilettante, as well as what products and services would best serve you.  What would be your number one choice for a teleseminar topic? 

So please feel free to hit reply and tell me what would best move you forward in your journey to success as you define it.

Enjoy your holidays and see you next year.

Warmly,
Susan

Issue 35 - Short and Sweet

The Successful Dilettante
December 5, 2007  -  Issue 35  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - Short and Sweet

3) Featured guest:  No featured guest today.

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Greetings/News

A warm and cozy welcome to both old and new subscribers.  So glad to have you drop by and spend some time with me.  I am happy to have you here and so grateful for the friends I've met since starting this ezine.  What amazing people you are and I am truly honored when you opt to send me an email and tell me about your multi-faceted jewel of a life. More please.

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Susan's Musings -  Short and Sweet

This issue's message will be short and sweet.  There is no featured guest interview today.  I ran out of time and ran out of steam.

I have been working night and day to complete my new ebook DIY Mastermind Group for those of you who would like the inside scoop on starting your own group.

The original plan and message you received from me was that the launch date would be December 1st.  Well, life created some speed bumps for me and that date has changed to December 8th. You can still take advantage of the pre-launch price if you order before December 8th which is a $10 savings.

Click here to learn all about this cool tool that will teach you how to benefit from the power of a mastermind group of your own.

It's the bee's knees, kids!

Hugs,
Susan

Issue 34 - Featured Guest: Suzanne Falter-Barns

The Successful Dilettante
November 20, 2007  -  Issue 34  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - Gotta Love Trusted Sidekicks

3) Featured guest:  Suzanne Falter-Barns
Today's guest possesses multiple talents--singing, painting, writing, performing, speaking, teaching, and marketing.  And with 20 years as a marketing consultant in New York City, she now teaches coaches, authors, speakers and other infopreneurs how to create a brand that attracts the major media.  Check out her interview below, which includes an invitation to a free copy of one of her best-selling books.

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Greetings/News

A great big warm welcome to both old and new subscribers. I hope you find some useful nuggets to help you in your quest to honor your many gifts, interests, and entrepreneurial spirit.  We strive to affirm the upside of being a successful dilettante.  If you know of others who might enjoy what is offered here or on my web site, please share this ezine with them.

Isn't it time you quit working in isolation? Nothing beats the support, accountibility, and brain-storming you get in a small mastermind group. Do yourself a favor and act now.  Take the assessment and download an application to see if a Power of Five Mastermind Group is right for you.  Groups forming now.  http://www.susanhenderson.com/mastermind.html

For those of you who are do-it-yourselfers, I am just putting the finishing touches on an ebook I am writing just for you entitled DIY Mastermind Group.  It is everything you need to know to start your own mastermind group in person or long distance.  This product will be launching in one week.  Click here for more information and to get the special pre-launch price.

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Susan's Musings - Gotta Love Trusted Sidekicks

I am very independent and have been since a young child.  Never big on team sports or games, I have preferred to mostly work and play by myself... sometimes allowing a trusted sidekick or two into my camp.  Like that old American western radio and television hero, the Lone Ranger, I have especially enjoyed championing the underdog, righting wrongs, saving the day, and then riding off into the sunset, with mask still intact and identity hidden, to the rousing strains of the William Tell Overture--the never to be forgotten theme song.

Has all this romantic 'loner-ness' worked for me?  Not exactly.  Sometimes it takes a posse for this lone ranger to get into some real action and get stuff done.  When we are accountable only to ourselves, we often come up with some really creative excuses and activities to avoid doing the not-so-fun parts of our work.  Isn't it ironic that most the time it has something to do with accounting or bookwork?

What worked best for getting me into action on a much more consistent basis and upping my productivity level was joining a mastermind group of five members, who meet regularly with the purpose of supporting each other in achieving our stated goals, brainstorming new ideas, sharing resources, and holding each other accountable to do what we say we will do. Very powerful stuff.

Another alternative, especially if you are in the planning stage of a project, is to invite people to join your R & D team (research & development).  You can then run ideas by your team and get feedback while in the development stages.  You could accomplish this by email, message board, and/or a monthly teleconference call.  Unlike a mastermind group, this team is entirely focused on you and your business. 

And last, but not least is to hire a coach to help you grow, keep you accountable, and be your guide in self-discovery.  If you feel you aren't ready to invest in one-on-one coaching, look into a group coaching program. Choose one that is limited in size so as to get the attention you need and deserve.  You might also consider buddy-coaching with one other person for the purpose of checking in and keeping each other accountable.

Whatever you do, don't be lone rangers.  You will go much farther, much faster with your trusted sidekicks helping you and cheering you on.

Hugs,
Susan

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Featured Guest:  Suzanne Falter-Barns

I first discovered today's featured guest when her wonderful book How Much Joy Can You Stand? leapt off the shelf at me in my local bookstore in 2001.  Perfect timing.  I found her web site, got on her email list and have been a fan ever since.  About six months ago it dawned on me that she is a fellow creative multipreneur. It took me awhile to invite this very busy lady to share her story here and I am happy she accepted.

Suzanne Falter-Barns teaches coaches, authors, speakers and other infopreneurs how to create a brand, branded website, blog and ezine that attracts the major media.  Suzanne was a marketing consultant in New York City for nearly 20 years, working with clients such as The New York Times, Hearst, Conde Nast and Colgate Palmolive. She’s also worked as a freelance journalist and columnist for The New York Times, SELF, Fitness, More, and many other national publications.

She is the author of two best selling self-help books on living your creative dream--How Much Joy Can You Stand? followed by Living Your Joy.  Suzanne also appears occasionally as a speaker and professional singer.

SH: Suzanne, how have you come to enjoy the successful dilettante life you live today?

SFB:  I think the biggest single thing I did was to pull up stakes and move from New York City (Manhattan) to a much quieter, more tranquil and cheaper place to live in the far north of New York state. It was scary but really felt in my gut like the right thing to do. It was like pulling the plug on years and years of reliable freelance income and almost immediately I had to start earning money from my websites.  Which I did ... the move galvanized me into action. I learned in a month how to set up a site, do internet marketing, create products, etc... and if I hadn't pushed myself by setting up a make-or-break situation I might still be doing that comfy, well paying, unchallenging work in the city.

I also have relied EXTENSIVELY on my gut instincts and used them to steer me wherever I needed to go. I have multiple talents -- singing, painting, writing, performing, speaking, teaching, and marketing ... all are natural gut instincts. So I always figured they would combine and merge and separate and come together in different ways just naturally through my life. I'm really aware all the time about how the different abilities can be put to use ... and some want to kick in more at times than others. That's a wonderful thing ... makes me really feel fulfilled when I can move from one to the next.

I'm a person who needs a lot of variety to keep me stimulated. But at the same time I enjoy completing things and having a positive impact on people. So it would be easy to say I'm 'ADHD' or some variation of that (I've never been tested), but it's never felt like an issue -- more like a blessing I can work with happily.

SH:  When did you realize you would be happiest engaged in a multitude of interests?

SFB:  It came up when I was a copywriter and I could take on several ads at once to write simultaneously.  My boss was a hardworking Swede who thought this was strange behavior. But eventually he accepted it as I wrote all the ads on time, handing them in just fine and in good shape.

I personally also realized this when my headmistress in high school said dourly, "Suzanne will have a hard time choosing what she should do in life." Bah! to that I say... the truth is that I've had a really, really good time doing all kinds of projects and developing my various skills. The only trouble came when I thought I HAD to do 'only one thing in life'.

SH:  What systems, tools, or practices work best for you in juggling your life as a creative multipreneur?

SFB:  I have to have at least one virtual assistant at all times handling the detail work for me, because I'm a big strokes gal and just not very good at doing the administrative stuff that runs my business. Pretty early on I got it that I need to surrender the stuff I'm not good at to other people. For instance, I have a wonderful bookkeeper, Raquel Morphy, who does my online financial management and customer service. Raquel does this so much better than I can!

And I have a VA who manages my entire business, Peggy Murrah, with her team -- they do everything from setting up appointments to proofing my products to arranging my schedule and making site changes. This frees me up to really thrive with the stuff I'm good at. I now recognize that my sites will never be 'done' but always in a state of growth and change, as will my entire business. I enjoy the variety provided by that change.

SH:  How do you manage your time?  Do you make a plan?

SFB:  These days I divide the day into chunks -- that works well. Every day in the afternoon I work on my one woman show -- rehearsing, running lines, writing songs, recording podcasts, filling out booking applications, etc.. In the morning I coach people with my platform building business - helping people get known on the Net so they naturally attract media and publishers, etc..

When I'm on the road speaking, I have my whole business loaded into my laptop so I can do literally anything I have to anywhere I am. I have a reliable staff, and my calendar is posted online through Trumba (www.trumba.com)

To get my blog posts/ezines done I schedule them in at a certain time of the week, and make a point of being in my favorite cafe to do so. It's like an incentive -- I get to have a chocolate croissant and a decaf latte and live it up while I write That makes me very happy and motivated!

In terms of energy, I also take time to meditate for at least 15 minutes every day, swim for an hour twice a week, and do Bikram Yoga wherever I am at least once a week (twice a week when I'm traveling). This is really rigorous exercise but it seems to keep me calm and grounded. Walking in the woods is good, too, but hard to do on the road LOL! I also have a trusted chiropractor who helps me keep my back in good shape. Because even with all my core strengthening work, it's easy for me to collect stress in certain parts of my body.  Just how I'm wired!

SH:  Have you had any mentors, books or people, who have influenced you?

SFB:  In terms of my work, I had a really inspirational professor at Wellesley College where I got my degree -- my art history professor Eugenia Janis.  She taught me how to write and rewrite things until they were the best I could make them. And she herself had extremely high standards which I have adopted. I also had a few very inspirational acting teachers at the Actors Institute in New York City.

SH:  What advice or tips would you share with our readers in their quest to become successful dilettantes?

SFB:  Stay grounded in your truth, meditate and check in spiritually every day and above all else, follow your instincts.  You were given your gifts for a reason -- so use them!

Folks who read this can also get more inspiration from a free download available of my book 'How Much Joy Can You Stand?' which is at www.howmuchjoy.com ... that says it all I think!

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Suzanne Falter-Barns lives with her husband and two children in upstate New York on the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain.  For more information on what she has to offer check out her web sites at: www.getknownnow.com and www.howmuchjoy.com

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2006-07 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.

Issue 33 - Featured Guest: Matt Perelstein

The Successful Dilettante
November 5, 2007  -  Issue 33  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - Jelly: Cure for Work at Home Alone Blues

3) Featured guest: Matt Perelstein
Read how this master juggler has created a wonderful life for himself helping others through his writings on his blog, his websites and 20 years of weekend workshops guiding people to healthier and happier emotional intelligence.

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Greetings/News

A great big warm welcome to both old and new subscribers.  I hope you find some useful nuggets to help you in your quest to honor your many gifts, interests, and entrepreneurial spirit.  We strive to affirm the upside of being a successful dilettante.  If you know of others who might enjoy what is offered here or on my web site, please share this ezine with them.

Isn't it time you quit working in isolation? Nothing beats the support, accountibility, and brain-storming you get in a small mastermind group. Do yourself a favor and act now.  Take the assessment and download an application to see if a Power of Five Mastermind Group is right for you.  Groups forming now. http://www.susanhenderson.com/mastermind.html

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Susan's Musings - Jelly: Cure for Work at Home Alone Blues

With the advent of so many freelancers, solo professionals, coaches, consultants, and yes, creative multipreneurs working from home alone, we can all get a little wiggy in our isolation.  Althouth we don't miss the office politics, the instant access to brainstorming, sharing, and camaraderie found in a traditional office can be a wistful little memory we yearn for in our otherwise wonderful world of working for ourselves.

Two guys in New York City decided to do something to fill that gap.  In 2006, roommates Luke and Amir started inviting friends over one day a week to work from their home.  They named this casual coworking group Jelly because, it is reported, they were eating jelly beans at the time. (http://www.workatjelly.com)

Soon friends invited friends and the idea spread.  Usually, there are 10-12 people with laptops, or whatever else they need to do their work, sitting around on couches and at the table in the relative quiet livingroom space.  Socializing is done in the kitchen and people needing to take or make private phone calls can duck into a bedroom.  It's true that if you need to power through a big project, you're probably better off staying in your home office, but these regular gatherings meet that need for sharing ideas, perhaps collaborating with other people, and socializing.

Now groups like Jelly are popping up in other cities and you can check their website to see if there might be one near you or if you want to start your own, you can email Amir for more information.  Here are a few guidelines in setting up your own group:
- Recruit friends or friends of friends
- Similar fields of work, but mixing it up a bit works, too
- Lay out some ground rules
- No more than 10-12 people
- WiFi connection for all those laptops

In the next issue, I will talk more about the importance of connection and community and how it positively impacts your work and your life.

Hugs,
Susan

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Featured Guest:  Matt Perelstein

Today's guest and I recently became acquainted when he called to inquire about my mastermnd groups program.  He crackled with enthusiastic energy and was a joy to talk with.  I invited him to try out my free coaching session the next day.  We were just five minutes into that call when I recognized a wildly creative multipreneur and couldn't help but get caught up in his joy of life and all that he wishes to bring to the world.  He has done so much and helped so many people through his New Directions workshops, but isn't content to stop there. He is in the process of birthing an amazing program through his websites (see links below) that will give help with relationships, money, career, parenting, health, love and life. 

SH:  Matt, how have you come to enjoy your life as a creative multipreneur?

MP: Out of survival!  I've been 'juggling' as fast as I can for so many years now, I've gotten pretty good at it.  Being totally self-taught, I used to desperately get, and hang on to, computer clients in order to pay the bills while I: a) grew up as a person; and, b) learned the trade.

My favorite line was "Well, I pulled it off again."  It gets old after a while, living in fear and chaos, but we adapt.  Now, after doing it for a while, I can juggle like crazy and have come to enjoy the variety and treasure the freedom I have in my life.

SH:  When did you realize you would be happiest engaged in a multitude of interests?

MP: When I found myself juggling multiple jobs and clients over and over again.  I haven't had "just one job" at a time in almost 20 years now.

SH:  What systems, tools, or practices work best for you in juggling your life as a creative multipreneur?

MP: Outlook is my #1 organizational tool, for sure. I keep my appointments (and reminders to myself) diligently.  I file emails in properly named folders and I keep all my contacts there and up-to-date.  I'd be lost without Outlook (my .PST file is over 3Gb).

I write notes, lists and ideas in separate email messages (that I don't necessarily mail to anyone).  I keep a "log" file of my thoughts, ideas, actions and To Dos—my current log-file is over 18,000 lines long.  And I keep lists of stuff like cool websites, ID/Passwords, To Do's, Links, Quotes, etc. all in emails, filed properly and backed-up regularly.

SH:  How do you manage your time?  Do you make a plan?

MP:  I stink at planning (the #1 area I'm working on these days).  I've been incredibly lucky over the years to always have enough work, without ever having too much work, so I've been blessed that way--something I can't really explain, but I REALLY like and appreciate.

As for planning the future, I have some pictures in my head of where I want to go, and in some cases, how to get there.  But for the most part, I truly ride the energy in the direction I need to go. I used to fight that energy more and try to force my direction, but that got very old and it was extremely painful.  Have you ever heard the saying: "Since I gave up hope, I feel much better"?  That's me.

SH:  Have you had any mentors, books or people, who have influenced you?

MP: YES! My #1 biggest "mentor" was the late great 'coach t' (aka Thomas Leonard).  Thomas was the most amazing man I've ever met.  He was unbelievably prolific, organized, light, fun, real, powerful, interesting, wise, open, etc. etc. Some of my biggest lessons learned from Thomas include:

a)  You can make a difference.
b)  You don't have to have a big company or a fancy office to do so.
c)  Say what's real for you and if it jives with people, they will follow you.
d)  You can have a profit model where everyone wins.
e)  Don't 'sell coaching', sell solutions to people's problems.
f)  Coaching is a viable, wonderful business and it can be done profitably.

In fact, coach t gave me the biggest idea I've ever had, which I'm working on now.  I hope/plan to build the biggest, baddest emotional support site on the net!

In my 20 years of teaching intensive, breakthrough emotional intelligence workshops, I have discovered two things:  a) when people really need help, they need it Now, not later; and, b) people not only want to Get help, they also want to Give help to others, however that works for them to give.

Therefore, I plan to network together two areas--2GetHelp, which is for clients, along with 2GiveHelp for both volunteers and helping pros (coaches, therapists, etc.)  If all goes as planned, soon we'll be a membership-based, non-profit operation providing online, live emotional support 24x7x365 in a way where everyone wins!

SH:  What advice or tips would you share with our readers in their quest to become successful dilettantes?

MP:  HANG ON!  If you're going to go at it with multiple projects at once, it's sure to be a wild ride--frustrating at times, but fun, too!  Stay organized.  Write stuff down.  Be open to abundance and prosperity.  Deal with your feelings (both past and present).  Love yourself, your family and your life and everyone around you wins!

********************************************************
Matt Perelstein and his wife Paula have been teaching a super-powerful, emotional intelligence workshop that has received the most amazing reviews and results.  They have turned lives around, brought families together, released rage, anger, grief, fear and shame, helped heal chronic depression, and more, all using simple, practical, natural emotional tools, techniques and attitudes.

Matt also has a teaching blog called EI101.com with over 600 posts, mostly tips and tricks on how EQ > IQ when it comes to happiness and success.

Matt and Paula live in a small town in the redwood forest on the coast of Northern California where there are virtually no work opportunities, so Matt, by necessity, has become an avid creative multipreneur telecommuting, driving, flying, and working online in order to make a buck and, even more importantly, to make a difference.

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If you would like to learn more about if and how Susan Henderson Coaching might be able to help you achieve your desired results, please contact me to set up a time to talk.  We will start with a complimentary phone conversation where I can learn more about you, your current situation and goals. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about me, how I work with clients, and the coaching process.  If we both feel the coaching relationship is a good fit, we will move on from there.

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2006-07 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.

Issue 32 - Featured Guest: Sally Evans

The Successful Dilettante
October 20, 2007  -  Issue 32  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - Today is the Sweetest Day

3) Featured guest: Sally Evans
An accomplished creativity coach, jewelry artist, and fine artist, Sally has appeared on national television on HGTV’s Isn’t That Clever. Her one of a kind jewelry and articles have been published in books and magazines.

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Greetings/News

A great big warm welcome to both old and new subscribers.  I am happy we have bumped up against each other in this somewhat crazy and frenetic world.  I hope you take away some useful nuggets to help you in your quest to honor your many gifts, interests, and entrepreneurial spirit.  We strive to affirm the upside of being a successful dilettante.  If you know of others who might enjoy what is offered here or on my web site, please share this ezine with them.

The offer of a fr~ee one-on-one session, Start Now to Sky Rocket Your Business in 2008, is available until October 31st.  We are having a great time on these calls and those who have participated have gained much more clarity about where they are headed in the upcoming year and the motivation to get there.  Email me to set up a session for yourself.

Isn't it time you quit working in isolation? Nothing beats the support, accountibility, and brain-storming you get in a small mastermind group. Do yourself a favor and act now.  Take the assessment and download an application to see if a Power of Five Mastermind Group is right for you.  Groups forming now.  http://www.susanhenderson.com/mastermind.html

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Susan's Musings - Today is the Sweetest Day

I only just recently learned of this holiday celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of October primarily in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast United States.  Although it has evolved into big business for candy, floral, and greeting card companies as loved ones give small gifts of love and appreciation to each other, it originated in 1922 as an altruistic desire to do something "sweet" for Cleveland, Ohio's less fortunate--orphans, newsboys, old folks, and the poor.

The origin of Sweetest Day is often attributed to one man, candy company employee Herbert Birch Kingston, as an act of philanthropy, however it was reported in the Cleveland Plain Dealer's October 8, 1922 edition that the first Sweetest Day was planned by a committee of 12 candymakers chaired by C.C. Hartzell and that over 20,000 boxes of candy were distributed to Cleveland's less fortunate.  Some of the big movie stars of the day assisted in the distribution, such as Theda Bara and Ann Pennington.

Although this holiday did not take off like they had hoped, it is slowly gaining popularity in other parts of the U.S., possibly as a result of Ohioans moving and bringing this "sweet" holiday with them.  No complaints there. In these troubled times, we need all the sweetness we can muster. 

So today, make a conscious choice to be sweet--give the gift of time, a plate of cookies, a bunch of flowers, lend a hand, lend an ear, look for opportunities to offer a smile or hold a door open.  Do this not just today, but everyday. Your life will be much sweeter for it.

Hugs,
Susan

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back." ~ Maya Angelou

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Featured Guest:  Sally Evans

I first learned of Sally Evans when I clicked a link in Barbara Winter's newsletter to a Dream Board class.  I learned that the class was being held in Denver and I live in the Seattle area, but I was intrigued with her website and wonderful jewelry. Then a few months ago she popped up again on my radar when I found we are both members of an online 'coaching cafe' message board.  The more I learned about her, the more I recognized a kindred spirit, another creative multipreneur--with an emphasis on creative.  Enjoy.

SH:  Sally, how have you come to enjoy your life as a creative multipreneur?

SE:  I have always been creative and loved to make things since I was a kid.  So when we transferred from California to Denver I had the chance to do anything I wanted and I knew it had to be something creative.  After art school, I started painting and took a variety of classes in all kinds of media.  I dabbled with making jewelry for myself and then loved the variety of techniques and materials I could use so I started making one of a kind jewelry to sell.

Things have been evolving ever since.  At one point, I was planning on offering creativity retreats and took a class that led me to creativity coaching which was a perfect fit for what I was doing.  I love teaching business owners and artists to use their creativity.  Coming up with new ideas has always been fun for me and not only do I get to use creative problem solving for my own business but I help others with it as well.

SH:  When did you realize you would be happiest engaged in a multitude of interests?

SE:  I’ve always been very curious and love to learn new things.  Whenever I felt like I “should” just choose one thing, I would feel frustrated.  I finally decided instead of a flaw, I could consider it a strength and accept that was part of my personality and I’ve been a lot happier ever since!

SH:  What systems, tools, or practices work best for you in juggling your life as a creative multipreneur?

SE:  I use what I call my 'Could Do List' which is several pages long of all the things I need and may want to do.  I pick and choose according to my priorities but know that my other good ideas and possibilities are waiting for me if I choose to do them.

I do a lot of planning which helps me think about the direction I want to go in and what I need to do next.  I don’t always work according to the plan but it’s a starting place.

SH:  Have you had any mentors, books or people, who have influenced you?

SE:  Oh yes. They are all around me. I learn from groups I belong to online.  So many books have influenced me that it's hard to choose, but here are a few that have had a big impact.

-  Getting Things Done by David Allen - Even though I don't use his system exactly, it helped me tremendously.

-  Simple Abundance by Sara Van Brethnach was such a joy to read a passage each day.  I've gone through it a couple of times.

-  The Nine Modern Day Muses and a Body Guard by Jill Badonsky is a fun read with lots of great exercises.

-  One Small Step Can Change Your Life by Dr. Robert Mauer is a short and yet powerful book on the  Kaizen way of doing things.

My husband, who is an artist and writer part time, inspires me with his persistence and support.

One of my mentors is Barbara Winter who is always inspiring.  Another is Diane Ericson, a fiber artist, who was a big inspiration when I attended a couple of classes and retreats.  I would love to inspire people the way they’ve inspired me.

SH:  What advice or tips would you share with our readers in their quest to become successful dilettantes?

SE:  Listen to what your heart tells you and try to design a business and a life that supports who you are and what you want... and that helps you to be more your true self.  Then have a lot of patience and persistence.  I would also suggest getting help and support anywhere you can.

********************************************************
Sally Evan's delights in inspiring her clients to discover and expand their own unique creativity. She coaches business owners and artists needing help with innovation and new ideas for their business, or that may be struggling with blocks like overwhelm, perfectionism, and fears.  Visit her website at:
http://www.jumpstartcreativity.com

Check out her beautiful handmade jewelry that inspires you to be your best at:  http://www.SallyEvansArt.com

============================================
2006-07 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.

Issue 31 - Featured Guest: Stephanie Chandler

The Successful Dilettante
October 5, 2007  -  Issue 31  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - Happy Feet

3) Featured guest: Stephanie Chandler
When today's guest developed an ulcer before her 30th birthday, she fled the fast-paced corporate culture of Silicon Valley for a total lifestyle change and has never looked back.  She shares her inspiring story below and is an amazing resource for entrepreneurs through her books and her website. 

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Greetings/News

A huge welcome to both old and new subscribers. I appreciate you allowing me space in your inbox.  If you know of anyone who might enjoy reading about successful dilettantes aka creative multipreneurs, please share this ezine with them.  It's always good to affirm that having a grand interest in many things is a blessing not a curse.  Don't you agree?

Like a good scout, it's good to be prepared.  In a separate announcement two days ago, I invited you to take me up on an special October offering to subscribers of this ezine only of a no-cost 1-on-1 planning and goal setting session:  Start Now to Sky Rocket Your Business in 2008.  But I forgot to say that you may invite friends or family who might be interested in this offer to contact me, too.  Best bet would be to forward that email so they can read about it, and click reply to answer the questions and let me know they are ready to take their business to the next level or launch a brand new business. 

Isn't it time you quit working in isolation? Nothing beats the support, accountibility, and brain-storming you get in a small mastermind group. Do yourself a favor and act now.  Take the assessment and download an application to see if a Power of Five Mastermind Group is right for you.  Groups forming now.  http://www.susanhenderson.com/mastermind.html

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Susan's Musings - Happy Feet

Not long ago I received this link in Michael Losier's Law of Attraction newsletter and I immediately had to share it with friends, family, colleagues and clients.  You cannot watch this video clip without a big smile on your face and the urge to get up and shuffle your happy feet.

Enjoy the Gratitude Dance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9z2ELaBVJY

Hugs,
Susan

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Featured Guest:  Stephanie Chandler

I found today's guest when I bought and read her book From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur a few months ago.  When only three paragraphs into it, I read: "I have invested thousands of dollars in books, ebooks, audio recordings, seminars, classes, and workshops over the years. I love this stuff! I seek out smart people to teach me something because if I'm not learning something new, quite frankly, I get bored."

I knew I had found a kindred spirit and eagerly gobbled up her book, signed up for her newsletter, and checked out her website.  She is an entrepreneur's best friend.  Check this out.

SH:  Stephanie, how have you come to enjoy your life as a creative multipreneur?

SC:  After spending 11 years in corporate America and developing an ulcer, I knew it was time for a lifestyle change.  I did a lot of soul searching and knew that I wanted to be a writer, but since I didn’t know how to make a living doing that fresh out of corporate America, I decided to open a bookstore in Sacramento. Almost everyone I knew thought that I had lost my mind! My plan was to put a staff in place and turn it into a passive income business so that I would have time to write novels and articles for Cosmopolitan magazine (I laugh about that goal now!).

In the process of starting the business, many people were saying, “I wish I had the courage to do what you did.”  I realized that I had an opportunity to help others discover that there could be life after corporate America. The result came in my first book: “The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs.

I started building a freelance portfolio by specializing in business articles. I couldn’t believe how much I loved learning and writing about business and marketing topics! As my website traffic grew, I decided to sell e-books, special reports and other information products. When I discovered that there wasn’t yet a book available on the subject, I got to work on my next book: “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money with Books, eBooks and Information Products.”

All of this led to starting yet another business. Pro Publishing Services is the culmination of a dream fully realized. My company provides professional writing services for newsletters, websites, brochures, etc., and allows me to revel in my passion for writing. I knew that I wanted to be a writer, but I thought that meant writing novels. I had no idea that I would find my niche in business topics and that I could love it even more than writing fiction.

I ended up selling the bookstore in May 2007. The truth is that after the first six months in business, I was too busy with my other projects to really give the store the attention it deserved.  It was a difficult decision but it also freed up time for me to better focus on my other interests. I realized that I would rather sell my own books than other people’s books!

SH:  When did you realize you would be happiest engaged in a multitude of interests?

SC:  I recently had the realization that by following my heart and listening to my gut instincts, my dream career found me.  If I hadn’t been open to change or been willing to try new adventures, I would probably be holed up in the back of my bookstore and painfully trying to write novels! That is no easy task and I’m pretty sure now that I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much as I had planned.

SH:  What systems, tools, or practices work best for you in juggling your life as a creative multipreneur?

SC:  Without question, I could not function without a To Do list. Every single day begins by assessing my list of activities and prioritizing them. Nothing feels better than scratching off many items in one day!

SH:  How do you manage your time?  Do you make a plan?

SC:  I have learned to schedule time on my calendar for virtually everything: going to the gym, shopping, spending extra “fun” time with my son and even checking e-mail. I also plan just two days during the week when I will meet with clients outside of the office. If those days don’t work for the client, I schedule them for another week. This allows me to have full “BIC” days (Butt in Chair) so I can focus on writing projects. It also makes life much more manageable and helps me feel like I’m in control.

SH:  Have you had any mentors, books or people, who have influenced you?

SC:  Where would we be without books? I try to read one per week and there are several that I would list as favorites:

“Damn, Why Didn’t I Write That?” by Marc McCutcheon shares the wonders and advantages of writing non-fiction books. This book was partly responsibly for shifting my focus from fiction to business books.

“Book Yourself Solid” by Michael Port helped me better define my business and my goals and to grow my writing business very quickly.

“The Four-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferris is one I read recently. The whole premise is that you should outsource as much of your business as possible. This concept helped me develop some new ideas for time management (like having groceries delivered and hiring a laundry service) and has also helped me improve my business since I now hire subcontractors for all kinds of activities.

“Speak and Grow Rich” by Dottie Walters is another of my favorites. Speaking is a great way to promote a business or a book and this book covers all of the bases.

“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill has been a best-seller for several decades because it is full of powerful, insightful advice.

SH:  What advice or tips would you share with our readers in their quest to become successful dilettantes?

SC:  Follow your gut and your heart and remember that things happen for a reason. I thought I would own my bookstore forever, but life took me down another path that was even better than the one I was on. I’ve heard about many similar experiences from the successful business owners that I know.

Also, never stop learning. You will have better chances for growing your business and growing as a person if you read books, subscribe to industry newsletters and publications, and network with like-minded people. It’s amazing how much opportunity opens up when you just start looking for it.

Lastly, life is so much more rewarding when you love what you do.  Write down your goals every year and commit to making them happen. This truly works!

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Stephanie Chandler is a small business expert and the author of From Entrepreneur To Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, e-Books And Information Products.  She is the founder of http://BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs and http://ProPublishingServices.com, a custom writing business specializing in electronic newsletters, information marketing, and sales copy for websites and brochures.  A frequent speaker at business events and on the radio, Stephanie is a prolific writer whose articles have been seen in dozens of publications.  She has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Business Week, and the LA Times.

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2006-07 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.

Issue 30 - Featured Guest: Linda Vanderbilt

The Successful Dilettante
September 20, 2007  -  Issue 30  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - The Irresistable Surge

3) Featured guest: Linda Vanderbilt
This creative multipreneur managed an escape from the clutches of the high tech corporate world to create a business that fits her like a glove.  And, it allows her the pleasure of pursuing her creative interests on her own time schedule.  Life is sweet.

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Greetings/News

A very warm welcome to both old and new subscribers on this fine big-bite-of-a-crisp-juicy-apple September day.  I appreciate you allowing me space in your inbox.  If you know of anyone who might enjoy reading about successful dilettantes, please share this ezine with them.  The more the merrier!

Isn't it time you quit working in isolation? Nothing beats the support, accountibility, and brain-storming you get in a small mastermind group. Do yourself a favor and act now.  Take the assessment and download an application to see if a Power of Five Mastermind Group is right for you.  Groups forming now.  http://www.susanhenderson.com/mastermind.html

Also, if you haven't had a chance yet to sign up for my ecourse, Five Secrets to Making a Living as a Creative Multipreneur, hop on over to www.creativemultipreneurs.com to learn more and read some great testimonials.  Click Here to take an assessment to see if you fit the profile of a creative multipreneur.

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Susan's Musings - The Irresistable Surge

"Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars.  Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait.  The grip of your hand, the irresistable surge of will and energy to execute your ideas."   ~  Henry Ford

I just got off a scheduled teleconference call with one of the mastermind groups that I facilitate.  By the end of that call, the energy was running high and the participants were overflowing with enthusiasm.  It didn't start out that way.

The group meets every other week for 90 minutes by phone and have the option to communicate on the private group message board between calls.  There wasn't a whole lot of posting between this call and the last.  For all the members of this group, life was dishing out some pretty big challenges that knocked those goals promised at the last meeting  to the back of the line.

Today's call, which was the fourth for this group, started out on a lower energy plane with confessions that intended goals didn't get done and so on.  But within a short time, a member asked for brainstorming and everyone just lit up.  The ideas were flying, words were tripping over each other, and it was quite exciting for me to witness this group come to that point where they were strangers no more.  There was laughter, caring, sharing, and electric energy for the rest of the call.  That enthusiasm was highly contagious and I wish all that for you.

Hugs,
Susan

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Featured Guest:  Linda Vanderbilt

With over twenty years of professional project management and administrative experience in the high tech corporate world while trying to fit in her creative interests on the side, Linda left in 2006 to found her own virtual assistance business where she believed her skills and talent could be best utilized assisting clients with their business needs.  Her days are interesting and challenging, but now she has time for the creative projects she enjoys so much.

SH:  Linda, how have you come to enjoy your life as a creative multipreneur?

LV:  Even while I was working as a technology project manager, I found that I would always find time to pursue other interests that were of a more creative nature.  By day, my work was very stressful as a project manager for large corporate projects.  At night, I would find my escape by creating web sites, writing content and creating graphics.

My work in the high tech corporate world took me to places in the world I would never have had a chance to see.  But living and working in as many as ten or twelve places a year came at the expense of trying to juggle my many interests while living in hotels in Europe, Central America and the United States, never knowing where my next assignment would take me.

Finally, after years of being a corporate citizen by day and pursuing creative interests after work, I realized that my creative interests had become more compelling than my interest in a high-paying, secure corporate career.  When I finally took the big step to leave my career, I realized that I could have made the same decision years before and found as much, or maybe even greater, success as I had found in my corporate job.

SH:  When did you realize you would be happiest engaged in a multitude of interests?

LV:  When didn’t I realize I’d be happiest engaged in a multitude of interests!  Ever since I was very young, I was always pursuing multiple interests.  When I was a student, teachers would often try to catch me not paying attention in class, knowing that I was often reading from two textbooks at once, jumping back and forth from one to the other! 

I have always been curious about almost everything, giving me the nickname of “George” from the character “Curious George.”  My interests have ranged from science to art to music to writing --- and more!  I have been fortunate to be able to pursue many of my interests as part of my careers.

The experience I gained while working in my technological careers has given me the experience and skills to employ the use of technology to create a company of virtual assistants who are able to assist clients throughout the country from the comfort of their home offices.  The benefit to their clients is to receive some of the most experienced, professional assistance they can find at a cost that is far less than if they were to hire a full time employee.  The variety of assignments is enough to keep even the most curious individual intrigued!  In addition, as a bonus, I sometimes have time during the day to pick up my camera or work on one of my writing projects!

SH:  What systems, tools, or practices work best for you in juggling your life as a creative multipreneur?

LV:  Well, Susan, probably the first thing I turn to is humor!  I find that it’s best to look at the lighter side of everything and things go so much smoother!

Probably what helps me most, though, would be my years of experience as a project manager.  In that role a person is always looking at what needs to happen to make something happen on time and on budget.  It truly does become second nature. 

I also believe it’s very helpful to get enough exercise and follow good nutritional habits.  Also, I have the benefit of having a loving and supportive family and community.  Good family and good friends make the good times even better and certainly ease the pain during the difficult times.

SH:  How do you manage your time?  Do you make a plan?

LV:  A plan?!?!  Remember, I was a project manager.  Of course, there is a plan.  But, I also have what I call a “flow chart” plan.  In other words, I believe it’s important to remain flexible, so that if “A” happens, we do this, but if “B” happens, we have an alternate plan.  It’s much less disappointing if there is an alternative plan to pursue when something doesn’t go exactly as we’d like.

SH:  Have you had any mentors, books or people, who have influenced you?

LV:  I’ve been very fortunate to have grown up in a family and community that encouraged individualism.  Everyone in my life, every experience I’ve had and every book I’ve read has influenced me and shaped the direction of my life.

SH:  What advice or tips would you share with our readers in their quest to become successful dilettantes?

LV:  Believe in yourself and what you know in your heart you can achieve.  Don’t let other people try to mold you into the person they think you should be.  Trust in yourself.  You know yourself better than anyone else!

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Linda Vanderbilt is the owner/manager of Northwest Assistant LLC, a virtual assistance business based in eastern Oregon. She has authored eBooks relating to technology and business, as well as horticulture, landscaping and gardening.  Visit her website at: http://www.nwassistant.com.

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2006-07 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.

Issue 29 - Featured Guest: Felicia Slattery

The Successful Dilettante
September 5, 2007  -  Issue 29  -  ISSN 1935-48866
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: www.susanhenderson.com

In This Issue

1) Greetings/News

2) Susan's Musings - The Slash Effect

3) Featured guest: Felicia Slattery
With her expertise in communication, Felicia teaches other home-based entrepreneurs how to effectively present their best image in order to enjoy increased cash flow with communication skills.  This creative mulitpreneur walks her talk.

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Greetings/News

Welcome aboard the good ship Lollipop!  I am so pleased to make your acquaintance.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts and your own story of how you came to learn that you, too, are a person wired to honor your innate curiousity and desire to make a living--full or part-time-- doing what "floats your boat."  Once again, you join "successful dilettantes"  from near and far, many who generously share their stories with us.  This has been and continues to be a great ride.  So glad to have you aboard.

Announcements

For many of us September is a time of fresh starts and new learning.  If you know you are ready to redesign your career/life and would like help sorting through your options, coaching may be just the right thing to propel you into action.  I have some openings in my practice and would be delighted to chat with you to see if I might be the right coach to help transition you from where you are to where you want to be.  Contact me to set up time to chat.

Isn't it time you quit working in isolation? Nothing beats the support, accountibility, and brain-storming you get in a small mastermind group. Do yourself a favor and act now.  Take the assessment and download an application to see if a Power of Five Mastermind Group is right for you.  Groups forming now. http://www.susanhenderson.com/mastermind.html

Also, if you haven't had a chance yet to sign up for my ecourse, Five Secrets to Making a Living as a Creative Multipreneur, hop on over to www.creativemultipreneurs.com to learn more, read some great testimonials, and take the assessment to see if you fit the profile of a creative multipreneur.

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Susan's Musings - The Slash Effect

I am recommending a book to you here that I have only just started reading, but I feel so strongly that it could help you in your quest to figure out your own multipreneurial life that I feel an urgency to share it with you right now.

The name of the book is One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model For Work/Life Success (or as it also says on the cover: How "The Slash Effect" Can Work For You) by Marci Alboher who bills herself as an author/speaker/coach.

This book is filled with wonderful and inspiring stories of the many people the author has met and interviewed who are what she calls "slashes" -- people pursuing multiple vocations.

She says: "Listening to their stories, I realized that people who have figured out how to add slashes to their lives are an incredibly fulfilled bunch, both in what they think of as work and what they think of as life."

Part 1 introduces the kinds of people who develop slash careers and the many ways those careers tend to unfold.  While Part 2 gets down to the nitty-gritty of how slash lives work once the pieces are in place.

I believe this is a great addition to your bookshelf alongside Barbara Sher's Refuse to Choose: A Revolutionary Guide For Doing Everything That You Love and Margaret Lobenstine's The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One.

And, soon to be joined by Chris King's book for Portfolio Careerists and my own book in progress for Creative Multipreneurs.

Isn't it great to finally be praised and encouraged in our pursuit of multiple vocations and interests rather than made to feel something is wrong with us because we can't/won't choose just one?

Hugs,
Susan

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Featured Guest:  Felicia Slattery

Today's guest is such an inspiration.  I first came to know of her through our mutual association with Alicia Forest's Client Abundance teleclasses and products.  I signed up for her free ecourse on communication and was quite pleased with its rich content.  Because I was on her list, I received a link to an audio of a teleclass she had given earlier on and that hooked me.  I love her clear, direct, and self-assured style of teaching communication skills.  She is a smart, warm, and generous woman who has created a great life for herself as a crative multipreneur.

SH:  Felicia, how have you come to enjoy your life as a creative multipreneur?

FS:  When I was a little girl, my favorite game was school—but only if I could be the teacher.  I’ve been a teacher all my life and as a result, almost everything I have done has led me to using my creative talents to teach others.

I have multiple careers running simultaneously and each has been successful in its own right.  First, I completed two master’s degrees, one in adult education and training and one in communication and have been teaching communication skills at colleges and universities around the Chicago area for more than a decade.  I am a published researcher and writer, with my work featured in a popular textbook. Also as part of my academic career, I coach students on improving their public speaking skills.

Second, I have combined my expertise in communication and education to create a consulting and coaching practice. I teach small, mostly home-based business owners effective communication skills so they can generate more cash flow and better customer service.  I also work with corporations training their employees in “soft skills;” things like listening, customer service, persuasive communication, non-verbal communication, and the like.

Third, my hobby since I was a child is scrapbooking. Since learning the proper tools and archival techniques while in my 20s, I have taught at local scrapbook stores, expos and conventions, received a “Bachelor of Scrapbooking Arts” from Creating Keepsakes University, and became a published (and paid!) scrapbook artist, having my work featured in one of the most popular scrapbook publications in the US.  A few nights a month I still teach at my local scrapbook store. 

Fourth, my husband is also an entrepreneur with his own personal training business.  I have recently taken over for him as Vice President of Marketing. We work together to create and implement marketing plans in our local community to educate people about fitness. 

Finally, I’m a Mom of two little girls, Grace who just turned five and Miranda who is every bit the two-and-a-half year old. Being their Mom is my full-time job and I love it!  Everything else I do is ultimately for them as much as for myself.

SH:  When did you realize you would be happiest engaged in a multitude of interests?

FS:  My family used to call me “scattered” as a kid growing up because I’ve always had so many interests.  I don’t think there is any one point in my life where I came to a realization about doing multiple things.  I have always gone after what made me happy.  Sometimes it’s worked out and others times, well, let’s say I learned from my mistakes!

SH:  What systems, tools, or practices work best for you in juggling your life as a creative multipreneur?

FS:  This is something I struggle with, honestly.  What has helped me is having a regular schedule for several of my tasks.  Class always meets on certain days and times, depending on the semester; I work in the speech lab on Thursdays only; crop nights (scrapbooking work session) are one Friday night a month with scrapbook classes on one Saturday a month.  I mostly work on my business plus the marketing tasks I do for my husband in the evening after my daughters go to bed.  I’m still working out
what’s best. 

There is one thing I do that I find is crucial to my success--and sanity!  Every night before bed, I sit quietly and write in my gratitude journal reflecting on all the amazing gifts I experienced that day.  Then I pray, thanking God for those gifts and say the Prayer of Jabez, asking God to continue helping me. 

SH:  How do you manage your time?  Do you make a plan?

FS:  I manage my time with one basic calendar for all events in it, including work-related items and personal schedules for me and the girls.  First thing in the morning I write a list of the things I want to accomplish that day.  Then I prioritize the top three items.  I do those first.  After that, everything else I accomplish is gravy.

SH:  Have you had any mentors, books or people, who have influenced you?

FS:  The greatest influence in my life has been my Mom.  I come from a family where no one went to college.  But from the time I was a baby, my mother told me I would.  She taught me I could be anything I wanted to be.  And I believed her!  To this day my Mom and I are very close, living just a few miles apart.  She is responsible for much of my success.  She takes loving care of my daughters several times per week, so I can do everything I need to with no worries about how my girls are doing while I’m away.  Having my Mom’s help and support enables me to fully focus on the task at hand.

SH:  What advice or tips would you share with our readers in their quest to become successful dilettantes?

FS:  Focus on one project at a time. Do NOT multi-task. You end up taking way more time to get everything done.

Be grateful for the gifts you have in your life. By concentrating on the good, you invite more good to come into your world.

Finally, have a team of supporters and encouragers who you can count on and communicate freely with. No one is an island.

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Felicia Slattery lives in the far west Chicago suburbs and is thrilled with her multipreneurial life.  With her expertise in communication, she teaches other home-based entrepreneurs how to effectively present their best image in order to enjoy increased cash flow with communication skills through teleseminars, e-books, audio recordings, and private coaching.  She offers a free e-course where readers will discover how to Increase Business by Communicating Your Credibility available at her website, http://www.communicationtransformation.com.

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2006-07 Susan Henderson, All rights reserved.