Own Your Power

Five Creativity Exercises to Find Your Passion

By Lisa Girard

Want to start a business, but not sure what to pursue? Here’s how to discover what you love.

Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th century British Prime Minister, once said, “Man is only great when he acts from passion.”

For today’s aspiring entrepreneur, exploring avenues of creativity to find your passion is likely the quickest route to increase your chances of launching a successful business. Where to start? Here, five exercises to help you uncover your passion.

Exercise 1 – Revisit your childhood. What did you love to do?
“It’s amazing how disconnected we become to the things that brought us the most joy in favor of what’s practical,” says Rob Levit, an Annapolis, Md.-based creativity expert, speaker and business consultant.

Levit suggests making a list of all the things you remember enjoying as a child. Would you enjoy that activity now? For example, Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s greatest architect, played with wooden blocks all through childhood and perhaps well past it.

“Research shows that there is much to be discovered in play, even as adults,” Levit says.

Revisit some of the positive activities, foods and events of childhood. Levit suggests asking yourself these questions to get started: What can be translated and added into your life now? How can those past experiences shape your career choices now?

Exercise 2 – Make a “creativity board.”
Start by taking a large poster board, put the words “New Business” in the center and create a collage of images, sayings, articles, poems and other inspirations, suggests Michael Michalko, a creativity expert based in Rochester, N.Y., and Naples, Fla., and author of creativity books and tools, including ThinkPak (Ten Speed Press, 2006).

“The idea behind this is that when you surround yourself with images of your intention — who you want to become or what you want to create — your awareness and passion will grow,” Michalko says.

As your board evolves and becomes more focused, you will begin to recognize what is missing and imagine ways to fill the blanks and realize your vision.

Exercise 3 – Make a list of people who are where you want to be.           
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Study people who have been successful in the area you want to pursue.

For example, during the recession, many people shied away from the real estate market because they thought it was a dead end. Levit believes that’s the perfect time to jump in — when most others are bailing out — because no matter the business, there are people who are successful in it. Study them, figure out how and why they are able to remain successful when everyone else is folding and then set up structures to emulate them.

“If you want to be creative, create a rigorous and formal plan,” Levit says. “It’s not the plan that is creative; it’s the process that you go through that opens up so many possibilities.”

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE..

About the Author

Lisa Girard is a freelance writer who covers topics as diverse as golf fashion, health and beauty, the hardware industry and small business interests. She also has been Senior Apparel Editor for PGA Magazine for more than a decade.

Own Your Power Communications would like to recognize a most worthy cause as Do Gooder of the Week. A big congratulations goes out to our  friend and   member,  Stephanie Clark is the founder  of  Project Single Moms Worldwide, Inc.!

Project Single Moms Worldwide, Inc. (PSM) is a national advocacy & empowerment movement designed to empower, educate, engage, energize, equip and enhance the quality of life for single mothers and their children. The movement strives to organize and create a unified voice for single moms as well as to dispel negative myths and stereotypes by redefining the face and character of single moms in America. Membership is free and open to single moms from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. PSM is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization.

Project Single Moms Worldwide, Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Its national programs are designed to engage single moms in the two primary focal areas of education and empowerment which includes: Advanced Education; Parenting Skills & Support; Financial Literacy & Wealth Building; Health & Wellness (Mental, Emotional & Physical); Homeownership Attainment; Starting & Growing a Successful Business; and Personal Empowerment & Self-Development.

This grassroots movement is currently serving more than 2,600 single moms in 45 states in America and has also attracted the interest and participation of single moms from Australia, Malaysia, Ghana, Switzerland, Albania, Greece, Germany and Jamaica.

To support and learn more about this admirable movement, please visit their website at http://www.projectsinglemoms.com/blog1/?page_id=301.

If you are a member of Own Your Power or a Fan on Facebook that has a business that helps others in any way, please email me at simone@ownyourpower.biz and we’ll add you to the list to be featured soon! Spread the word!
We’ll feature a new DO-GOODER every Friday on Facebook, Twitter, the Blog, and our Ning Community.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: GO HERE TO BE A FAN!

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: http://www.ownyourpower.ning.com
Thanks for helping others…please support these charities/businesses that help save the world

Own Your Power,

Oh..the power of the mind. It truly can take you places and help you accomplish your life’s goals. Sometimes you have to use your imagination..get creative and this article will help you do just that!

Own Your Power,

Simone

Let’s play a game.

Think about one of your life goals. Some common ones are dropping weight, finding a better job, and finding your soul mate.

It can be anything you want. Use your imagination.

Pretend that you’ve reached your goal. You’ve dropped 20 lbs. You have a fantastic job. You’re making wedding plans.

Think about how your life is different.

Do you feel happy? Motivated? Accomplished?

Now pretend you are this “new you” right now. I want you to walk, talk, and breathe like you’re the person you just envisioned.

I call this the Power of Pretending.

I played this “game” with my client Marcy. She wanted to drop 200 lbs, but for 15 years she could never stay motivated. So, during her workouts, she pretended she was the leader of an elliptical class. This helped her complete one hour of cardio 4 days a week. Something she had never been able to do.

She imagined that it was her job to keep the class moving. She was their leader. The class depended on her to finish strong. She couldn’t let them down.

This kept Marcy going. Now, she’s 65 lbs. lighter and having fun pretending while she’s getting awesome results. CONTINUE READING HERE:http://elleswan.com/the-power-of-pretending/

One of our newest clients is Celebrity Make-Up Artist, Jessica Williams! I LOVE THIS ARTICLE because, as entreprenuers, people are watching you. You are a walking-talking billboard for your business, so style and image matter! Your signature style is apart of your marketing package. Check out what she has to say about fashion…and hope you are not guilty of this! 

Own Your Power,

Simone

Fashion Faux Pas: You can wear it, but wear it well!

By: Jessica Williams
There is absolutely nothing wrong with embracing and loving yourselves, whether you are a size 2 or 22. And how you dress is a direct reflection of your personality.
I am an artist and express myself everyday through what I wear. But even I have to be cognizant of what I put on my body. Seeking attention is normal and to a certain extent, a subconscious act. But being mindful of the type of attention one attracts is the challenging part of it all.
During the 1950s and early 60s, a shapely woman was considered sexy: Betty Paige, Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Dandridge and other starlets were at least a size twelve, and weren’t afraid to flaunt it. Yes, they wore bikinis and fitted clothing—and looked good in them.
I am 5’ 11, a size 10 or 12 and I like fitted clothing. However, it is important that we are honest with ourselves as far as knowing what works for our body shape, as well as acknowledging what’s appropriate.
Beauty certainly comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. It resonates from within, and what we do to our bodies on the outside is an expression of it. But even that has limitations. Ladies, you can have the most beautiful face in the world, but if your attire is ill fitting or inappropriate, no amount of makeup can cover up a fashion mishap.
Some of you know that deep down, you want to scream if you see another woman wearing sheer, black leggings as stretch pants. Transparent tights with bright underwear showing underneath are not attractive nor fashionable.

CONTINUE  READING FULL ARTICLE: http://bed-stuy.patch.com/articles/fashion-faux-pas

About this column: “Beauty Works” is a bi-monthly column that will examine the products and natural alternatives for developing your beauty acumen. Writer Jessica Williams is a creative expert with seventeen years in the beauty, film and entertainment industry. She is the founder of The Maitre-d of Makeup beauty blog and is coming out with her book, “It’s Makeup, Not Rocket Science” in February 2012. Feel free to email Jessica at jeswill2003@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/jes_theARTIST

Own Your Power member,  Carol Dunlop is the founder of this new company and we’ll have content featured on her site. Check it out ….I’m going to be a featured Wellness coach focusing on empowerment! We’re very excited to be apart of this new venture to help others get in shape and inspired!  Get a quick tutorial from Carol here!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Carol Dunlop at 678.809.1509 Ext. 13

No Time for the Gym? Try Fitness Mattrz™ Online Workouts

Easy, Affordable Solution to Staying in Shape

ATLANTA (April 9, 2012) – Optimum Body Sculpting has announced the launch of its new online fitness membership website, Fitness Mattrz™, to help recession-weary consumers keep their fitness regimen on track.

With so many people cutting back on everything from traveling to eating out, Carol Dunlop, owner of Optimum Body Sculpting and creator of Fitness Mattrz™, knew that it was only a matter of time before people scratched fitness off their list, too. With gyms charging $35 to $60 dollars per month for memberships, many consumers find it hard to justify the expense. “More people are opting to work out at home, not only because of money, but it’s more convenient and fits into their busy schedule,” Dunlop said.

Fitness Mattrz™ offers consumers a variety of workouts, including Pilates, yoga, pre- and post-natal workouts, belly dancing, and toning and sculpting classes. New videos will be added monthly.

Along with videos, Fitness Mattrz™ brings consumers the ability to create their own personalized workout, with the Tanya Stroh Training Solution, created by fitness expert Tanya Stroh. Each day, users can create a new workout that comes with a demonstration video, exercise photos and a written description. Workouts can be printed to make it easy to follow along.

Fitness Mattrz™ takes the “whole-person” approach to fitness by providing articles, information and tips from expert coaches in the field of nutrition, lifestyle, spiritual health & wellness and empowerment. In addition, the site offers its “Love to Live” health seminar podcast series where consumers can tune in to learn about various health conditions and ways to combat them through diet, exercise and lifestyle solutions.

Memberships cost $9.97 per month, or $99 annually. As an introductory special, Fitness Mattrz™ is offering two months free on either membership.

For more information or to become a member, visit www.fitnessmattrz.com.

About Optimum Body Sculpting

Optimum Body Sculpting provides programs and health and fitness information to individuals seeking to lose weight, build muscle, sculpt and tone their bodies and get healthy. Weight loss programs, personal training services, nutritional supplements, home fitness equipment, fitness DVDs and books can be purchased through our website. By implementing a consistent exercise program, following a nutritious diet and adhering to positive lifestyle changes, Optimum Body Sculpting believes that everyone can be in control of their health and have a better quality of life.