Sonya: plans & projections

Most of the plans & projections are in place

now it's time to start the work.

January is such an awesome month 

to travel and beef up for the new year

I've decided to adjust my 

projections yearly in that month.

I really like the way it turned out, 

especially after adding the tabs!

soon, I will be adding video to my blog and my plan is to 

revel the inside to you on my You Tube Channel

Sonya: Goals, Plans & Journals

Jim Rohn On Journals

Be a collector of good ideas, but don't trust your memory. 

The best collecting place for all of the ideas 

and information that comes your way is your journal.

The reason why I spend so much money for my journals 

is to press me to find something valuable to put in them.

There are three things to leave behind: your photographs, 

your library and your personal journals. 

These things are certainly going to be more 

valuable to future generations than your furniture!

Don't use your mind for a filing cabinet. 

Use your mind to work out problems and find answers; 

file away good ideas in your journal.

Jim Rohn on Goals

“If you go to work on your goals, 

your goals will go to work on you.

If you go to work on your plan, 

your plan will go to work on you.

Whatever good things 

we build end up building us.”

"Discipline is the bridge 

between goals and accomplishment.”

Quotes by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher, reprinted with permission from Jim Rohn International 2010.

As a world-renowned author and success expert, Jim Rohn touched millions of lives during his 46-year career as a motivational speaker and messenger of positive life change.

For more information on Jim and his popular personal achievement resources or to subscribe to the weekly Jim Rohn Newsletter, visit Jim Rohn

Robin: Decluttered

 

    I have had a stack of journals in which I have collected ideas.  There are about 6 of them.  There is no rhyme or reason to them.  Pretty little journals with random thoughts and dreams and ideas.  This collection began to wear on me about the same time that I committed to writing out my business plan for the Creative Business marathon.  How will I ever find the time to look through these? What am I missing out on?  Do I keep re-inventing the wheel of my creativity without realizing it?

   

   I have this same awful habit when it comes to pictures as well.  Files and files of pictures on my computer.  Random files simply listed by date.  No wonder I feel so scattered all the time.  No wonder I can't seem to think my way clear to a concise plan.  I have these stacks of randomness.

   Until this weekend...I look through the pages of the journals.  And guess what I found?  Most of them are only half way full.  AND most of the ideas I am ALREADY IMPLEMENTING.  And the pictures? Well that was not as clean and tidy.  In fact, that took hours.  LOTS AND LOTS of hours.  But that too is complete.

I feel CLEANSED and ready for my NEXT STEPS...

photo credit

Sonya: external indicators

While looking at my taxes for last year. I noticed this profit & loss statement list seven categories of revenue. Of course today we label this row as income streams. Score has provided us with seven categories of income on this blank P&L statement.  Darren Rowse, a leader in the blog community, even shares this info on his blog. If your not following Darren, you should. 

Some pos·si·ble income streams for eastwindproductions & sonyamacdesigns 

01. Art

02. Licence art

03. Books

04. eBooks

05. Ad sells

06. Magazines

07. Amazon

08. eclass

09. Art Classes (community)

10. Affilate

11. Custom graphic design work

12. photography portrait

13. photography 

14. sewn products

15. patterns for sewn products

Man, that was easy, now it's time to do the work. Oh, and check out Small Business TV

Robin: The Waiting Period

 

"For it is GOD who works in you to will and to act according to HIS good purpose"

Phillipians 2:13, New Testament of the Bible

So I looked up the following words in Biblical Greek, the original language in which the new Testament was written:

Work - to put forth power

Will - to desire, to wish, to be resolved, to determine

act (also "do") - be at work

For it is GOD who puts forth power to desire, to wish, to determine and to be at work according to HIS good purpose.

       There are times where I can feel this occurring in my life and I am not happy about the process by which GOD is bringing circumstances together.  But time and again I am AMAZED that while I think I would prefer to be in control of my own destiny (and to some extent I can unravel the good/hard/uncomfortable in my life) when I yield to the DISCOMFORT, the things I wish do not begin to compare to the things HE WISHES FOR ME...

 

      So while I am feeling my momentum waning, I realize I am downright exhausted. But I have to recognize the huge amounts of forward movement I have put into place and let the seeds root down.  And stop constantly gazing at the seeds.

photo credit

Sonya: Preparing for RAIN

I began working on my teaching plans, that's right Teaching plans. In High School ... I pursued Art, Graphic Arts and Home Economics with the hope of becoming an Art Teacher ... but the economy was bad and Art was being cut from most public school programs, so design school looked awesome & Bill Blass was on the Board at O'More College of Design.

The Classes ... 

Wake UP ... http://www.inspiringcreativecollaboration.com/

A ten week workshop designed to renew the artist in you. Rediscover & develop your creativity as you embrace the idea of  collaborating  with the Holy Spirit.

Journey 2 Mixed Media ... http://www.journey2mixedmedia.com/

learn to develop techniques which uses a range of different materials to create artwork

(for example, ink, paint, newspaper, card, cut paper, pencil, or pastel and can incorporate photographs, computer printouts, newspaper articles. (ten weeks)

Flip your Passion ... http://www.flipyourpassion.com/

Flip your creative passion into an online business & blog and make good money working from home. (ten weeks)

Creative Biz Workshop ... http://www.creativebizworkshop.com/

Create a visual business plan/journal & turn your creative passion into an opportunity for 

business bliss. (ten weeks)

I went ahead & purchased the dot coms as part of my creative biz plans.

My three words for this year are dominion, dominate and domain. 

super scary baby steps ... but I must prepare my fields for RAIN .... 
cause I'm that farmer.

Oh, I almost forgot about a new yearly project  ... 

project 365 ... http://www.365daughtersoftheking.com

Sonya: Journal Update

I started to run out of room, so I decided to add some extra pages, these two brown paper bag pages, fold in to create some journal magic.

I reworked my journal a bit and added my customer to the center spread as a symbol of  focus & commitment.

I glued my game board in the very back for easy reference!

Robin: The First Few Days of 2011

"Lucky...Wish...Fingerless Gloves-Various Styles Available Now

I have seriously been running and gunning over here:

• I wrote a creative business plan with this group
• I took over as blog leader for Etsy Homefront-military spouses who are creative entrepreneurs
• I wrote a Creativity Course AND had plans to launch it February 9, 2011
• I have some new products in the works for my etsy shop (like the ones above)

What I was finding it that I was creating NOTHING WITH MY HANDS.  And because of that it was beginning to feel like 'what is the point?'  And when it begins to feel like that for me, I want to just shut it all down.  ALL OF IT.  

So instead... I took a deep breath and realized my limitations.  I am still acting as a single mom while my mister is working in Germany.  I can only do so much in this capacity.  I have to say that to myself  ALOT.

All this to say, I decided to pull back on offering the Creative Course as an e-course and decided instead to self publish it as a workbook.  And I am getting very excited about the NEW POSSIBILITIES with this.  So I say all this to say, dreams AND TIMING go hand in hand.  And many times I am filtering through too much "good" things to push into the "BEST" THINGS.  Because the reality is they BOTH TAKE enormous amounts of energy.

If you would like to help me spread the word about the workbooks, I have an affiliate program set up OVER HERE

Sonya: An old cruise wine list: My Journal

Working on the cover of my creative biz journal and thought I would give you a sneak peak before I go color crazy with it. Been saving this old cruise wine list forever, for something really special. What could be more special than a creative business plan. Hope to share more soon! It's day seven of twenty eleven!

Kelly: Obstacles of Life

Synonyms for "Obstacle"

interruption

interference 

encumbrance

obstruction

restriction

vicissitude

difficulty

 

The holidays are always fun and exciting, but I have to say, that this year I succumbed to the obstacles in my life.  I could have pushed and pushed and gotten some stuff done, but I ended up just doing the minimum and enjoying my holiday vacation.   I am not sorry I did that, as time with family is SO VERY important, but now I am facing a super long to-do list and a feeling of being very behind.  On my list are many things pertaining to my business and those are the things that will get some attention first.  That is one promise I am making to myself this year when it comes to my business.  To realize that it is okay if life happens and I'm thrown off-course, but then to get back on it as soon as I can.  I have noticed over the years that I am subject to the physical law of "momentum", and if I lose my momentum, it is so hard for me to get going again.  This year, I'm trying to not fall into that trap again.  

One way I am working to avoid that loss of momentum is that on the drive home from our holiday travels, I had my trusty notebook and started the MEGA LIST.  You know the one - it's the all-encompassing, every-single-thing-you-want-to-do list.  And it has grown since I've returned home, but I am also happy to report that several things have already been crossed off the list.  Tomorrow is a new day, and more will get crossed off then too!!  Now if I can just get all the Christmas decorations put away.....

~Kelly

 

 

Sonya: A BIG dream exposed!

photo credit

When I first heard that Kelly lives on this beach, I started dreaming.

I don't know if you know it or not but I'm a single Mom by choice.

What that means is at the age of thirty my doctor advise me to have a hysterectomy.

 I choose single Motherhood  as opposed to 0 Motherhood

I was thirty and having the time of my life

not thinking that my biological birthing clock was ticking.

The very moment he said I would likely not have children

was the very moment I wanted children. 

So my quest to become a Mother began.

I would lose my first at five months & almost my life.

& birth Lillian Grace into this world three years later. 

So much drama/pain in between

Lillian was born premature by emergency c-section

six weeks before her due date.

We stayed with my parents for three months 

and returned home with Kate

one of by best buds and my infant drama comforter

I make the best salads with ANNIE dressing because of KATE

Kate now lives on Folly Beach.

Do you see where this dreaming is going? 

Dare I say it out loud!

The Marathon Continues...Please Join Us!

photo credit

Thank you for following the first 24/7 (24 hours, 7 days) of The Creative Biz Marathon.  We are so glad you've joined us in this space.  Now that the first 24/7 of this journey is coming to a close, we're super-excited about following this journey / our hearts / our biz dreams even further in 2011! In fact, we've been so tremendously blessed by this experience that we aren't stopping now!

Here's how you can continue to follow our journeys...

1. Join the CBM email list.  We've created a handy sign-up process that will allow you to submit just one email signup form to join each of our email lists.  You'll be free to leave at anytime if you so choose.  We're sure you'll stay, though, because we're on a roll and can't be stopped! Email Signup form here and at the end of this post. Please subscribe!

2. Follow each of our personal creative biz blogs, and look for the "Creative Biz Marathon" tags there. We'll be tagging CBM related posts with a "Creative Biz Marathon" tag on each of our blogs (below), and would be honored if you stopped to visit.

Sonya's blog (Sonya Mac Designs)

Alease's blogs (School of Creative Business) (Alease Michelle Studio)

Laura's blogs (Strategic Online Marketing) (Dreamy Design Works Jewelry)

Kelly's blog (Kelly Thiel Studio)

Robin's blog (Well of Creations)

3. Continue to visit the Creative Biz Marathon site...When we planned this marathon, things focused around the first 24/7 and a 6-month check-in.  Over the course of the first 24/7, we've decided that there's simply too much creative-goodness going on here to delay further postings and check ins.  Of course, the most activity will be taking place on each of our own blogs, so be sure to visit our personal blogs as well (see #2 above).   There will be lots of updates and goodies with you here in the coming days/weeks/months. Plus, we have a few very special posts planned for our 6-month marathon check-ins that you won't want to miss! We've added an RSS option for those who prefer to read posts in a reader.  

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Sonya: What to do first

As artist, so much of our work revolves around funding. But often time our creativity lends itself to more than one area of interest. Last year I rediscovered my love of writing and that is where this year will start. In my journal I've created a flow chart or shall I say a form of a production plan to help me stay on task and on focus.

I'm using the same color throughout the plan to help me concentrate on a particular area of interest for a particular time frame. I started planning for this year in Oct of last year.

There is so much I like to do and at this point in my life, I'm willing to give up little.





The only thing new to me here is getting this all down on paper all in the 
same place at the same time.

Sonya: A moment of distraction

Today, this very morning I felt distraction pulling at me, no tugging at me as I had one of those I've been here moments. More than ten years ago, me and Leslie had this dream of these five women. Leslie designed & title them Women of Wonder. We dreamed up stories of all the good they would do in the world, with their design & make wonder. We even, used her image for a group art event. 

So, quite naturally, I started thinking that maybe, we were the women on the postcard. Distraction led to digging and once I found the postcard I realized, we are not these women of wonder. We are so much more. This band of five women, this unique multiplier is real and many times, throughout the past week, I've just had to stop and pinch myself. I'm on a roll now ... Lookout for lots to come your way today!

Robin: Keeping it Breezy

photo credit

Monday morning, the first official day in the new year after taking on the RADICAL TASK of writing a business plan in one day.  So I left my house with a plan in my head and a song in my heart. 

AND THEN...

I went to the bank.

OK did EVERYONE ELSE BUT ME know already how NOT ON YOUR SIDE THE BANKS ARE?

Here I am FIGHTING AGAINST the forces of doubt, attempting to comply with all the things legitimate business owners do ONLY TO FIND...

You actually need money first in order to open up a business account.

Hmm....

This makes ZERO sense to me.  So after quite a few minutes of them trying to explain the rationale behind this little setback, I got up and moved on to the next item on my list 

WHICH IS 

to make money.

Laura: Are You A "S.M.A.R.T." Goal-Setter?

The time has come in this journey to put pen to paper and create a business plan.  To set goals.  To create a marketing plan.  To get the year mapped out.  I’m pretty excited about doing this!

First things first, what kinds of things should we keep in mind as we get to work on this? Well, Lisa brings our attention to the S.M.A.R.T. system.  

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time bound

click photo to enlarge

I’ll be back soon to share more with you about my plans for 2011.  Until then, think “S.M.A.R.T.” 

Robin: Dare you to Move

photo credit

Moving closer...

Feeling stronger...

Committed...

My questions are more calculated...

My time is more focused..

I am FINALLY getting serious...

TODAY, I took the first big girl business steps of registering my trade name and applying for my business license.  I feel butterflies all the way through the process trying to navigate the internet with information from well meaning friends who quip "oh it's easy" and "google how to start a small business."  But when there are still voices within you saying why are you making all this effort?  And questions on the application like "Anticipated income for this year" you wonder why you think this thing will work.  But the belief has to start with ME, you know?  2011 is the year I give it a go, legitimize this thing I do with my time.

Begin...

  Artist: Robin Norgren

Sonya: Lessons Learned from 2010 via Donna Stewart

It's Sunday and although we're in marathon mode, It's my prayer to start this year of business off, like I want to finish. It's my dream to spend Sundays Worshiping my FATHER, resting and hanging out with my family and friends. So, I will leave you with this most amazing video to ponder, what you have learned and what you will learn. CLIMB on! I'll be reading The Creative Entrepreneur today from cover to cover. No doing, just reading. 

Laura: My "Aha! Moment" - Narrowing My Focus

We’re wrapping up the first 24/7 (24 hours, 7 days) of the Creative Biz Marathon.  I had a real “aha! moment” yesterday.  It was born from the rose watercolor I created on New Year’s Eve.  Amazing how my art has already fed into a jewelry idea!

Before I share the “aha! moment,” here’s a short background on where it came from…

Thanks to the S.W.O.T. exercise, I’d already come to a few realizations…

1. There are thousands of competitors on Etsy in the jewelry category
2. My designs are varied and can’t be described in unique enough words.  “handmade” and “custom” certainly are not rare in the Etsy (or jewelry market) space. That may be one reason I am not getting as many shop and item views.
3. I may need to turn my focus to local craft shows and markets. 
4. I need to develop a Facebook marketing plan
5. I need better, more consistent photography
6. More unique, higher quality products = higher price point

The “promotion” exercise asked me to define my target customer and develop my value proposition.  

I struggled with the value proposition, knowing full well that “beautiful, handmade jewelry simply” wasn’t specific enough.  I wrote “at great prices” and immediately crossed that out.  I don’t want to compete on price.  I don’t want to be the cheapest.  My target customer isn’t looking for that, anyway.

In summary, it is time to NARROW MY FOCUS!

Here’s the “aha! moment”…

What if…I turned my watercolor art into the center/pendant/focal piece for a handmade necklace? Scanning in water color designs and surrounding them by unique floral shaped beads in vibrant hues?

I got to my journal to put this idea on paper (watercolor paper, at that!).  I even put a copyright mark on the corner of the page, because this idea is that special to me.

I’m excited about this narrowed focus and have the Creative Biz Marathon to thank for it!