Dream Killer Alert

With tax season upon us I'm hearing several of my creative clientele, after seeing their bottom line for 2008, asking "Should I be looking for a job?"

One of my most gifted clients (I'll refer to her as Sue-not her name) and I had this discussion early in the week. Sue had just met with her accountant, interestingly a quilting hobbyist, who gave Sue dire warnings about her financial future. I mention the hobby thing because I believe it has an impact here.

Why? Because people who aren't pursuing their dreams, who haven't taken the risk to 'live' their art, may not be the most reliable source for "creatives" to listen to. I know I may get into trouble here, but I strongly advise my clients to manage their feedback, consider the source and make their own decisions about which bottom line to regard.

Create your own personal accounting system for April 15 and on it measure your health, your joy in living, your mental attitude, your relationships and your sense of connectedness in the world. Then decide whether you need to go look for a job. Read my blog post to learn why Sue is doing exactly what she is supposed to be doing.

Lesson #95

Who should you listen to as a creative entrepreneur?

Listen to those who have been successful following their dreams, even if it's in an unrelated field. In my book Soul Proprietor, 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur I share Lesson #95, "The success story of someone who has traveled the route before you can help you stay on course."

In this chapter I share what I learned from Charna Garber, the president of a luxury shoe manufacturing company, who was the keynote speaker at my Entrepreneurial Woman's Network luncheon. She described her first trip to Italy to meet the foreman of the leather shop that would produce her company's shoes. Things weren't going well and she wanted to turn around and leave but she didn't and her persistence paid off.

Her story helped me years ago when I was on my way to exhibit my work. It was December and the snow was falling heavily. My care was swerving back and forth, and I wasn't sure where the thruway entrance was. I wanted to turn back, but I didn't. Instead, I thought of Charna Garber and in the end my persistence also paid off.

The lesson is to find people you admire - those who have traveled the route before you - and listen to their stories. Sign-up for a lecture or read their life story. You'll be inspired to persist.