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| "Living the Dream" Valentine Card @ https://www.etsy.com/people/AnfinsenArt |
In the process of making goals and resolutions, I’m reading two books that I
would highly recommend: The first is “Transform: Dramatically Improve Your
Career, Business, Relationships and Life: One Simple Step at a Time” by Jeff
Haden, a motivational style book filled with great suggestions. And the second
is “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” by Nir Eyal with Ryan Hoover
that contains practical advice on how to make things happen.
For example,
Jeff Haden directs: “Do little things differently.” We usually think our goals
should be larger than life and that we need to “eat an elephant” in order to
really accomplish anything. Precisely why we give up too soon and don’t fulfill
our dreams leaving us feeling discouraged and disappointed.
But if we do
small things first and enjoy a sense of accomplishment, we are more likely to
keep going. Even better, if we try to do those “little things” in a different
way, we may develop style and flare. We will stand out from the crowd. Haden’s
theme is probably a new twist on the old “Think outside the box.”
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| "Flamenco Flamingo" https://www.etsy.com/people/AnfinsenArt |
Nir Eyal
provides a real study guide, discussing the importance of devising a “trigger”
designed to “hook” your audience/buyer into “Action” by offering “variable
rewards” for their initial “investment” of time and money; all designed to
increase “retention” (of customers) and get them into the buying or reading
habit. Of course, the study is much more detailed than this, but you get the
picture.
Most of us
have allowed things to slide during the holidays, and now it’s time to get back
to work! I know I’m dusting in places that haven’t been touched in weeks. Bits
of glitter and pine are nestling into my carpets and will probably catch my eye
for many weeks to come.
I’m intent on
cleaning out the cobwebs in my head, the contents of my desk and the inside of
my closets. Like Elsa in the Disney movie “Frozen,” I’m determined “To Let it
Go – Let it Go” as I cleanse the house of clutter and excess. My jammed closets
will finally get relief as this “saver and hoarder” is determined to purge or
perish!
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| "Flamingoes in Love" https://www.etsy.com/people/AnfinsenArt |
Always
preparing for “hard times,” I hold on too tightly and too long to things that
have already served their purpose. Even my older paintings have probably
brought me to a higher skill level and deserve to be retired and given a fresh
coat of paint and a new perspective.
I’m going to come
to grips with what I am: an artist and a writer, and quit trying to be like
every other woman I know. I’m me. Yes, I can be messy at times, and I’m not a fanatic
housekeeper; but I sure do enjoy creating a new story or composition using
colors I’ve never tried before or trying to express, in a new way, my passion
for living.
Whatever it
is in your life that you’re trying to unleash and bring into focus, I hope you’re
successful. At the very least, you should enjoy the process.
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| "Puppy Love" https://www.etsy.com/people/AnfinsenArt |
“Let it Go” from the Disney Movie, “Frozen”
