Yesterday I was talking about my inspiration. Well, this article was in my e-mail box this morning from Creativity Loft . I am posting Tivi's article in its entirety. She has a great site that is motivational for the "Creative Entrepreneurs" out there.
Here it is;
What is YOUR version of success?
I was talking to a friend recently and she told me that her family didn’t like that she went to college.
From her story, I got the impression that they looked down their noses at her for going.
I’ll be honest, my gut reaction was to scoff and say “THEY look down their noses at YOU for doing something with your life?”
My Southern heritage dictates the following life path:
“Birth –> Preschool –>Elementary School –>Middle School –> High School –> College –> Respectable Career –> Marriage –> Kids –> Mid-life crisis –>Die”
You may throw in grad school, a dog, a divorce, a second marriage or a risky decision, but that’s pretty much it.It took me a while to say “Do you HAVE to go to college to ‘do something with your life?’”
Different people value different things.
To some, college is a step towards a better life. To others it’s a waste of 4 years and thousands of dollars.
To some a “respectable career” is that which brings them padded pockets and hundreds of employees beneath them. To others it’s something that just pays the bills and gets them home at a decent hour.
Success is different to each person.
And your authentic version of success is probably even more different than you’d ever thought.
Think about it.
How much of your current version of success was determined by external influencers?
Success in my career, as society taught it to me, was getting a college degree in one field, then getting a job in that field, then working my way up in a company, sticking with the same company all my life (no matter if I hated it) until I retired, then I’d die.
Bleak stuff, in my opinion, but I chased it. And I’m glad I got out before the “die” part.
But, truthfully, there’s nothing wrong with this version of SUCCESS, if it is YOUR
This applies to your creative business too.
If you’re an artist, society may be telling you that success is becoming the next Ashley G and Drew, but is that really what you want?
I firmly believe sometimes we define SUCCESS as things other people tell us we should have. But what type of “success” will you have when you obtain all those things and aren’t happy?
What are the trade-offs for gaining those things other people tell you are what you should be chasing?
You want to be a New York times best-selling author and have movies made from your books– why?
Because you want to make a living from your writing. OK, well is there another way to accomplish the thing you REALLY want; make money from your writing?
The cliched road to success may not be the one for you. Look at Sarra Cannon, she’s finding success publishing her books herself. Or Amanda Hocking- a self-published rock star who sold more than a million books on her own!
Look at your life and business and ask:
“Am I reaching for MY authentic version of success? What do I really want for and FROM my life and my business and how can I incorporate those into my version of success?”
Come on, you’re a creative person. Use that brain of yours.
Now, what is YOUR version of success?
Check out Tivi's web-site here Creativity Loft .
I think Tivi hit some great points on what success looks like to different people. I am reaching for my "authentic version" of success everyday in all areas of my life.
Check out Tivi's web-site here Creativity Loft .
I think Tivi hit some great points on what success looks like to different people. I am reaching for my "authentic version" of success everyday in all areas of my life.
What about you?
M.Rene
