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The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Julia Cameron has found her calling to help artists restore and refocus the creative energy that we all have. I listened to the audio book twice last week, and I'll be starting the recommended 12 week program today. I started doing my "morning pages" 5 days ago and I'm thrilled about what is already happening in my life. The book and morning pages have helped me to refocus and rethink my current habits and strategies. I've come to a peace about making several changes I've been putting off for far too long.

As the saying goes - When's the best time to plant a tree? Answer: 20 years ago. But the second best time is today. My efforts this summer shall become abundantly fruitful for my future. 

I want to finish my new website. I'm giving myself until July 1st to have it live. I want to have a really cool, fun blog too. I have ideas, I just need to implement them. My last post on this blog will be on Thursday of this week and then I'm taking the summer off from blogging. My focus needs to be on my weddings this summer and my family. As I said, the Artist's Way is a 12 week course, and that puts me finishing around the end of August. By then, I will have my new blog and it's going to be cool.

I'm also committed to creating a workshop for the fall. I have to first focus my creative energy this summer to effectively help others. So that's what I'm doing. I'm really excited. I have so many great projects planned.

I hope that you will consider doing The Artist's Way this summer too and rediscovering your creativity. Namaste. 

Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow's Success

Good morning friends. Happy Memorial Day.

Today, I'm recommending a book that has practical applications that can be easily implemented into your busy lives. John C Maxwell approaches life and business from a pastoral perspective. His daily 12 practices include common sense priorities that we sometimes need to be remind are important to our mind, body and spirit. Topics include insight on attitude, values, health and commitment. At 300 pages, it's an easy read and worth your consideration. Make today matter!

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession

At the very top of my short list of "things I love" are photography, movies and music. And my top 3 areas of study are theology, psychology and the the brain. I wondered how exciting it might be to study two of my favorite topics combined. After all there is an abundance of psychological studies of movies, though I have yet to find a book regarding the theology of photography. I did however come across "This is Your Brain on Music". Fascinated by the idea, I gave it a try.

The author, Daniel J Levitin, explains how our brains perceive music. A former musician and producer of rock bands in the 1970s and 80s, Levitin now does research as a cognitive psychologist and neuroscientist at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. However, his musical background creates the foundation for his writing and he commonly refers to examples such as Sting, The Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder to keep the reader grounded in references they can understand. The audio book may have a slight edge by playing sound bites of songs to illustrate his points.

Every culture throughout human history has had some type of musical expression. Levitin explores the importance of music to our health, happiness and humanities procreation. Yep, how music may be used in procreation and why guys want to be rockstars.

This was a cool experience for a little diversification in my reading. If you want music theory for the laypeople, this is your read. Enjoy.

Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling

Michael Port rocks! This book is over flowing with tips and simple strategies that will help your business be Booked Solid. The audiobook has a peaceful quality as the information is read by the author. There is a downloadable pdf workbook that comes with the audiobook or the paperback book and is available on Michael's website for Book Yourself Solid. I intend to go back through the book this week and devote time each evening to finishing the workbook too.

Make time for Magazines

Monday's are almost always a book recommendation from me. I'm soooo into books these days, though it hasn't always been so. I used to go to book stores just to look at magazines. I would pour through photography, fashion, music, cinematography, and art magazines. This practice has absolutely influenced the style which I shoot today.

This past weekend, I made time to spend in a bookstore flipping through pages of wedding, celebrity, and fashion magazines and even a killer goth magazine. I found myself in a familiar state of peaceful euphoria enjoying the art of so many talented image makers. I was inspired.

The habit of being inspired is essential to an artists success. Make it a habit and thrive. Give your permission to invest time in absorbing the images that inspire you.

Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

Author Keith Ferrazzi knocks one out of the park with this book Never Eat Alone which explains the importance of building a network of relationships. Keith shares his vast knowledge and prescriptions for connecting people together. Business is built on relationships, and success in business relies on the people around you. The more people you will help, the more help you will receive. Keith shares practical advice that even an introverted artist can apply with ease. Highly recommended for your growth and to make the world a better place.

Special thanks to Eric Dogget who recommended this book to me and sent me his outline of notes too! Rock on Eric!

slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations

I'm in the habit of recommending business books that deal with speaking and thinking. What about image? This book should peak your curiosity if you engage in visual presentations. Communicating your visual message most effectively does not come naturally to most people, even artists. This book is filled with examples and recommendations to make your next Keynote presentation a visual success.

Editorial Reviews From Amazon

Product Description
No matter where you are on the organizational ladder, the odds are high that you've delivered a high-stakes presentation to your peers, your boss, your customers, or the general public. Presentation software is one of the few tools that requires professionals to think visually on an almost daily basis. But unlike verbal skills, effective visual expression is not easy, natural, or actively taught in schools or business training programs. slide:ology fills that void.

Written by Nancy Duarte, President and CEO of Duarte Design, the firm that created the presentation for Al Gore's Oscar-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth, this book is full of practical approaches to visual story development that can be applied by anyone. The book combines conceptual thinking and inspirational design, with insightful case studies from the world's leading brands. 

Crash-Proof: How to Profit From the Coming Economic Collapse

I heard an interview with Peter Schiff several months ago and thought that his ideas made a lot of sense. I made a note to myself that I'd like to get his book. Months went by and then the Fed two weeks ago announced printing another one trillion dollars to buy the countries toxic assets. Red flags shot up for me and I spent last week with Crash Proof.  The world is in a much different place today than it was even six months ago. It's time to prepare.

OVERVIEW FROM BARNES AND NOBLE

The economic tipping point for the United States is no longer theoretical. It is a reality today. The country has gone from the world's largest creditor to its greatest debtor; the value of the dollar is sinking; domestic manufacturing is winding down - and these trends don't seem to be slowing. Peter Schiff casts a sharp, clear-sighted eye on these factors and explains what the possible effects may be and how investors can protect themselves. For more than a decade, Schiff has not only observed the U.S. economy, but also helped his clients reposition their portfolios to reflect his outlook. What he sees is a nation facing an economic storm brought on by growing federal, personal, and corporate debt, too-little savings, a declining dollar, and lack of domestic manufacturing. 
Crash-Proof is an informed and informative warning of a looming period marked by sizeable tax hikes, loss of retirement benefits, double digit inflation, even - as happened recently in Argentina - the possible collapse of the middle class. However, Schiff does have a survival plan that can provide the protection that readers will need in the coming years.

Buying Trances: A New Psychology of Sales and Marketing

The latest read in my arsenal of books, Buying Trances is all about how we each live in our own "trance" and if we want to communicate our message to prospective clients, we have to create a "new trance" to peak the curiosity of the listener. This book is loaded with information on the psychology of sales. Enjoy.

Animals, Inc - A Business Parable for the 21st Century

This audiobook is low on my list of recommended listens, but it does make a couple of good points about natural ability and job placement. It uses farm animals in human roles trying to run their farm after Farmer Goode leaves the go onto "Greener Pastures" retirement home. The examples hit home as the frustrated animals take over the responsibilities for the business, but are doing jobs that they are not made for. Examples range from the horse trying to type in data on a computer, the scarecrow trying to lay eggs, and a timid sheep trying to make sales calls. Natural abilities should help us determine our chosen careers. The message is clear, when we use our strengths in business, we are far more effective and happy.