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Archive for the ‘Newsletters’ Category
Masterminds, Mentorship and Success
You’ve probably heard the saying, “We are the product of our friends.” This is so very true. It shouldn’t surprise you that nice people who are knee deep in debt often have friends who are also debt-ridden. Perhaps they share feel good lines like, “I don’t need money when I have love.” While love won’t bring you more money, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
On the flip side, some of my most creative friends also hang around with very creative, motivated people. They help drive each other toward success. They visit each other’s productions and exhibits, deliver honest critiques and push one another to constantly better work. Consequently, everyone wins.
What Pack Do You Travel With?
I was reading about dolphins and wolves recently. Both of these creatures work together in teams to survive. While they may not be strong or fast enough to catch prey on their own, they outsmart their food to win. It’s the same for successful people.
In his classic book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill extolled the virtues of creating a group of like-minded people with which you could share notes and deliver success. Now, “who you travel with” is no longer an accident. You’re actively searching for people to be near who are going to inspire you, cajole you, antagonize you, and make you stretch mentally. They’re going to make you push for more. Like a wolf or a dolphin, they’re going to help you thrive.
(more…)
Posted in budget, Classes & Workshops, Goals, Mastermind, Mentors, Networking, Newsletters, Saving Money | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | June 14th, 2013
Need to be reinvigorated? Try this secret formula
You know the feeling. You have determination, drive, and the skills to achieve your dreams. You’ve worked long, hard hours to reach your goal and it still seems miles out of site. You’re not letting go, but it’s starting to feel like you’re just spinning your wheels.
I learned a not-so-obvious solution for this common struggle, when I began studying productivity experts. I found it hard to believe at first, but they stressed that you’ll accomplish more by doing less at a time. If you plan regular breaks, you’ll work faster than if you maintain long, stressed-out hours. Because life (and your art) is a marathon, it’s better to work ten hour days and keep moving than it is to work a single 12 hour grind that leaves you fried for the next three days. That last two hours can put you in an early grave!
I found it difficult
Taking breaks didn’t make sense to me at first. I didn’t feel like I deserved them. When you’re on the road to success, you need to be at the wheel, don’t you? …and every pit stop slows you down.
What I didn’t realize at the time is that you don’t take breaks because you “deserve” them. You take them because you must have them to continue moving.
Ultra long distance runners—those crazy people who run 50 or 100 miles (or more) at a time–break regularly for food, drinks, or to chat. They know that the body is a collection of organs that all need rest. Even the winners of these super long races will break for ten to twenty minutes at a time, even though that’s putting them further behind the clock at that particular moment.
They’ve learned that by slowing down, they actually speed up in the long run!
Almost there…just needed a tweak
So, I began taking breaks while working on a new monologue, or developing course materials for Abundance Bound. They were good for me. I’d walk in the neighborhood, visit with friends, surf online, and let my mind wander. Still, the residue of my business and art continued to seep into these times. After a few breaks, I discovered that I wasn’t really taking a full “break.” I was using the walk for creative time to think about the work I was doing! While that was helpful over the short run, I was missing out on the key component of the break that makes it successful: I wasn’t completely away.
Then I discovered how I could escape AND rejuvenate. (more…)
Posted in Charity, Goals, Mindset, Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | April 19th, 2013
 In the 1986 classic movie Wall Street, Bud Fox (played by Charlie Sheen) is a young up-and-coming stockbroker who’s trying to make his mark in the world of finance. As he’s adjusting his tie before a big meeting with the titan Gordon Gekko, he says, “Life is made up of a few big moments. This is one of them.”
Well believe it or not, if you expect to receive a tax refund check, you’re coming up on one of your “big moments.”
Every year, many people blow this chance to get ahead. They spend their refund on a big, frivolous purchase or take a vacation. While these might feel like fine short term uses of a refund check, there are several that could change your life, remove your debt, or help you build your business or security.
Here are my five favorite uses for a refund check:
1) Wallop some debt. Here’s your big opportunity to focus on your art more. If you’re drowning in debt, you may find that your attention is focused more on side-jobs and instant income opportunities than the big picture. Clear your mind by getting rid of some debt payments.
For best results, tackle smaller debts first. Wiping these payments out creates breathing room for your budget. If possible, use the money you save on these payments to tackle bigger debts next. Soon you’ll be on your way to being “debt-free” and focused on your income opportunities instead of the mountain of bills on the counter. (more…)
Posted in budget, Debt, Goals, Income/Expenses, Investments, Newsletters, Saving Money, Savings, Taxes | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | March 22nd, 2013
Reality television is amazing…while I’ll agree that most of it isn’t worth your time, I enjoy watching how some of the “stars”  who elegantly perform in public actually work their butts off behind the scenes. Lifting the curtain on the daily tasks of a true artist shows that success is more than just creating a product. In most cases, you have to be a financially savvy marketing guru to succeed.
You need to think of yourself and your art, as a business. When people come to me for help they often don’t see themselves in this light. They’re frustrated because they can’t get traction with their financial picture or with their craft.
I have good news. Solving both of these problems requires many of the same skills.
1. Determine how much money it takes to operate your financial life.
The most important part of your craft and your financial life is to make sure that you’re able to turn the lights on tomorrow. Sit down with a sheet of paper and list each item you must have to live another day. How much money is it? (more…)
Posted in abundance, Articles, Business, Creativity, Financial Planning, Goals, Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | February 22nd, 2013
Maybe you’re walking through the woods and a patch of sunlight hits the ground in front of you and spurs an idea for your next artistic creation. You could be dining at a restaurant and the ambiance makes you realize an image of a new way to work.
I know this: inspiration hits in funny places. I actually found inspiration for my 2013 goals last night at a friend’s concert.
Her band had spent a ton of time on set construction and paid great attention to the light show. There was swirling fog, lots of color and neat special effects. Not only did my friend and her band bring the little hall alive with music, but all of this “extra” light and imagery enhanced the performance.
There was something awesome about the experience, and it wasn’t the lights. It also wasn’t just the incredible music. It was the combination of the two together.
People in the audience were mesmerized. Some were dancing. Others swayed to the beat of the song.
I thought to myself, “What would happen if we eliminated one part of the show?”
That’s when I realized a money connection: the lights and effects were clearly secondary. The primary key to success in the show? The music. Her band’s success playing music made me realize why so many people fail:
Most people focus first on the light show, not on the guitar, keyboard, vocals and drums.
Let’s face it: successful money management and practicing guitar both FEEL like hard work. My friend’s hands are evidence that she’s invested hundreds (maybe even thousands) of hours earning her way toward that stage. The fact that people are moved by her craft isn’t a mistake. She was able to bring them to that point through that hard work.
By spending time practicing her “music,” she was able to deftly use her instrument on stage and make it look easy. (more…)
Posted in Articles, Creativity, Financial Planning, News, Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | December 28th, 2012
 This time of year I like to look back over the last twelve months and reflect. For me, life is about making mistakes–mentors have told me that if you don’t make any mistakes, you aren’t moving fast enough. This year has been a whirlwind, so I must have made some real doozies!
While it certainly can be difficult, I try not to dwell on my missteps as long as I learn from them. At this time of year, I also like to learn from events and the mistakes of others. There are five that I think are well worth reflecting on before we march into 2012:
1) Don’t Wait on Government…In Fact, Don’t Wait.
Politics seemed to enter our life more than ever this year, with Republicans and Democrats waiting to the last minute before passing legislation in several key areas, including funding to keep the government open!
I’ve met people who’ve said that they can’t do any long-range planning because they’re unsure what measures the government is about to pass, or they aren’t sure if the tax structure is going to change, or they want to wait and see who the next president is.
Most artisans work on a 1099 income basis, so some important areas such as health care and small business taxes can have a big impact on your bottom line.
….but does this mean you should wait?
Waiting on the government doesn’t make any sense to me. Is it better to have a plan in place that you may need to adjust or to have no plan at all? I’d always prefer to revisit my plan when the government finally decides their actions, than be held hostage to whatever political problems crop up.
The Bottom line: Plan now and adjust as events occur. (more…)
Posted in Banking, Debt, Education, Investments, money plan, Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | December 29th, 2011
 Honing a craft is a solitary activity. Excellence means many hours out of the spotlight, so that once you’re finally ready for prime-time, all of the finer points of the work are complete. To your audience it’s effortless; you’re a pro.
Unfortunately, this “solitary confinement” approach to excellence often clashes with successful money management. The government and business community are constantly revising rules that affect your ability to manage your money.
That’s precisely what happened late last month. A new credit card law went into place that has the potential to have a devastating effect on some artists. I thought I’d give you my take on the rules and some ideas of how to respond, so that you aren’t surprised the next time you apply for credit.
Here’s the part of the ruling which could derail your planning: you can no longer use spousal or overall household income to apply for credit.
What does this mean for artists? If you’re working full-time (or near full-time) on your craft, your income may not yet be where you’d like it to be. First, you may be spending money that counts against your income, lowering the amount you can claim. Or, you may be still building skills to make money later. In either case, you may now find it difficult to secure credit in your name. (more…)
Posted in Credit Cards, Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | November 3rd, 2011
Ah, September…the month leaves begin to change from green to shades of red and yellow. Sounds of fall sports and school buses fill the chilled autumn air. And my thoughts turn to the holiday season and the pageantry, colored lights, office parties, family and a new year upon us.
Huh? Are we still talking about September?
Getting your financial house in order is about planning for the future. One single month of the year causes my clients more financial pain than any other. More money is spent, more credit card debt is created, and more savings take a big hit. That month is December.
But NOW is the time you can do something about it. (more…)
Posted in Debt, money plan, Newsletters, Saving Money | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | September 8th, 2011
 Last week, an old friend called to meet for lunch. I suggested we try a comfortable mid-priced place with a patio, but she insisted on one of the nicest restaurants in town. Arriving, I couldn’t help but notice that her car was worth about double mine. She was dressed from head to toe in designer clothes and sported a pair of sunglasses I suspected cost so much that I’d be far too nervous to wear them. I was surprised to see how much money she’d apparently made, and mentioned it when we sat down.
“My students would love to know your secret,” I said. “You’re obviously doing really well. That’s fantastic.”
She sat back and sighed. For the first time since we’d met, I saw how tired she appeared.
“My secret,” she laughed, “is that I’m in over my head. That’s why I wanted to meet you. I’ve got to get my sanity back. The credit card debt is killing me.”
Needless to say, I was shocked. Nothing that I saw in front of me was the truth.
I understand the desire to appear successful. It’s important to project a confident image with our peers and potential clients. But spending money that we don’t have only makes things worse. Here’s how: (more…)
Posted in Credit Cards, Debt, Newsletters | 1 Comment »
Posted by Miata | July 28th, 2011
 It’s time for the big reveal: I’m not a fan of spring cleaning.
Once I’ve finally dug in and begun the process, I enjoy organizing shelf space and rearranging household supplies so they’re easier to find. When it’s over, I’m always glad it’s done, and I love that when I want something, it’s right at my fingertips. Yet, if you asked me what my least favorite five tasks around the house would be, cleaning closets and organizing the garage would be near the top.
I mention this because the other day someone mentioned that for her, financial organization is like a trip to the dentist. She dreads the process and can’t wait for it to be over. My friend said that she’d much rather focus on her craft than organize her money. She loves the tools that I’ve made available and the coaching that she receives, but in the end she cried, “Miata, why can’t someone just do it for me?”
Ouch.
Let’s be clear. Most of my audience isn’t in love with the financial planning process. They don’t relish budgeting. I can’t recall any stories about my students jumping out of bed in the morning, clapping hands and screaming, “It’s time to review my car insurance!” Shockingly, it doesn’t happen. So why do people subject themselves to this process? Why do they endure the pain of learning how to streamline their financial lives? Wise savers know that the same truth about organizing closets applies to their financial picture. Once it’s clean, everything goes more smoothly. Items don’t get lost. Money decisions quicken. Accounts are easier to follow.
A solid financial plan frees up more time for your craft
(more…)
Posted in abundance, Creativity, Goals, Mindset, Newsletters, organization, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | June 2nd, 2011
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