Be A Failure Outloud
June 13, 2010
facing failure
I wrote a blog post about why I’m afraid to tell my stories but why I am going to do it anyway. So I wanted to explain why I’m willing to be a failure out-loud.
It’s not for the self- aggrandizement, that’s for sure! But being a failure outloud is one of the best things we can do for our soul.
If you are going to change the world, you need to change yourself, then let others follow by example.
That’s why I always strive to do the harder things in life, because I want more, not just for myself but for you too. I want more for all of us and hiding behind our false failures is a reality that none of us need. We all feel like a failure in some way or another.
get to the gold
But the reality is that none of us are. We are all perfectly imperfect, trying to carry out our spiritual task of shedding the crap that we were born with and becoming the luminous souls that we are meant to be.
This is the journey for each of us. Each of us carries a story inside that is about getting beyond the gunk to get to the gold. We are all hero’s and heroines in our own story. It is a HUGE task to do this work.
And some people don’t do it.
Look around and you will see complacent people everywhere. They are hiding inside their tiny lives of ‘I have enough just like this, don’t bother me for more.’
The problem is that’s not really true. We all need more and believe it or not, shucking the shell of your shame, embarrassment, discomfort and fear is the best thing you can do to live a bigger life.
eeek!
Think of a hermit crab – if he stays in the shell that is too small he will be stuck and unable to grow. He has one moment when he sheds his too-small-shell and runs at full speed for his new one.
But this moment it is sheer terror!!
He is stark naked, unprotected and could be easily assailed by any of the malevolent forces of the Universe. But he won’t be. He’s protected but he doesn’t know it.
He’s protected by the act of courage itself. Courage gives you force and energy, one you didn’t even know you had until you make a run for it towards your larger shell.
So that’s why I’m willing to live my discomfort out-loud, because I’m hoping you will too. I’m hoping that together we’ll make a train of little hermit crabs scuttling across the beach shouting, “I want a bigger life and I’m willing to be uncomfortable.”
Are you willing? Are you willing to shuck your shell and join me on this scary, intimidating, life-enhancing journey???
If you are, I’d love to hear from you. All hermit crabs in search of new life, line up here. I’ll make a run for it first, then all you have to do is follow. It’s really that easy.
Eeeeeekk! Here I go! You coming?
Into the Real Desert
June 11, 2010
Sedona
Well I’m off to write my book.
I’m going to Sedona, Arizona for an eight day writing retreat and my book will be out of my system by the time I’m back!
Don’t worry, I’ll still be sending out wonderful stories that I’ve scheduled while I’m away. It will almost seem as if I’m still here!
Writing this book is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
But challenging ourselves is good for our growth!
So here’s to climbing the Sedona red rocks and returning with book in hand.
Why Collaboration is A #1 Skill For Our Future
June 6, 2010
wrong direction
Isn’t it obvious? That if we’ve been going in the wrong direction, that we need to go in the right one?
Our world has been too divided. It’s been power over, not between and we’ve been in a hierarchy for too long. It’s obvious that this has to change. But will it?
My belief is yes.
Not just because I have innate faith in human nature. I don’t really. We’ve sorely mucked things up. But more because I see the inevitable natural evolution of things and this one is on the horizon.
Collaboration is the single biggest key to our future for the simple reason that it’s the way that everything works.
If you think about it, the entire Universe was born as one big orchestrated event. It was a collaboration of multitudinous singular processes all happening at the same time.
Isn’t that amazing?
cosmic collaboration
cosmic collaboration
We were created out of dust and gas and cosmic particles all moving in one giant whole. We could never create an event like that with our own minds.
Our entire universe is a collaborative event.
So the point is – anything other than that is against human nature itself. It’s totally going against the grain.
But eventually the tides always turn. Whenever we’ve been going the wrong direction for too long, we always end up turning another way. It’s inherent in nature.
So I do believe our time has come.
The question is – how can we translate this organic movement of the cosmos and nature into something that is and useable in our own lives???
Big question! The answer is – we can begin to act like the universe itself and start now in becoming a collaborative force for change.
This is not as easy as it sounds because while collaboration is inherent in our nature, so is separation. It is installed in us as a decisive force. Just put yourself in a room with 10 opinionated people talking about something that truly matters to you and you’ll find the separatist part of yourself very quickly!
overcoming the divide
We don’t want to be join with others when things aren’t going our way. So true collaboration requires us to overcome this innate tendency to dominate and divide. And yes, we all have it. If you don’t know your own yet, start looking. It’s there.
This is an important key to collaboration, for once you harness the separatist inside, then you’ve got the reins to working together.
The trick is to become aware as soon as you feel that energy wanting to conquer or divide, you need to use your higher brain to override that. Keep in mind as you try to collaborate this force will come up. It’s the undertow to the rising of the wave.
So though these may be obvious, it doesn’t hurt to lay them out here. Some of the key skills to true collaboration:
- make it a point to really hear others point of view – this allows you to get beyond your own thinking
- make it a point to understand all sides and to see everything outside of your own opinion – this lets you join with others and work together for a common goal
- make your point less important than you feel it is – this tames that beast that always wants to make you right.
Not easy but doable.
True collaboration is a necessary way of living for our future. I want YOU to be the one to lead the way. Are you? Let me know what you’re doing about it.
I want you to be a force for our cosmic evolution. I know you are.
Be Creative in Your Communications, Or Else!
May 18, 2010
creativity counts
creativity counts
Or else what?
Or else be left behind in the dust. These days we can no longer afford to poo-poo creativity. Time is ticking and creativity is the wave of the present and the future.
Those who are still thinking in the past will be left behind in the un-creative dust.
So you do want to be on the wave of the future, don’t you? I’m sure you do.
Being creative in your communications requires thinking outside of the box. Communications is a wide field of expression – everything from print media to video, to public speaking, to billboards.
It is everywhere we go and in today’s fast paced world, we need to use our creative brains to keep up with the pace.
It can at first seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have, because using your creative brain is actually enjoyable and energy saving. It’s your old, stuck-in-the-rut left brain that’s getting in the way.
your lizard brain
So who is this old brain that keeps you doing the same old same old? I affectionately call him Mr. Lizard and he loves doing the same things over and over again.
Mr. Lizard is the master of repetition, but needs to learn some creativity.
Why? Because he HATES change. He hates being original and he does not want to stand out in the crowd. He enjoys being one of the boring pack.
But do you?
Do you really enjoy expressing yourself like everyone else? I doubt it. You might be used to doing that but it’s probably not what you really want.
Try this test – if you’re tired or bored with what you’re putting out in your communications, then it’s a likelihood that you’re relying to much on your old lizard brain (cousin to your left brain).
Mr. Lizard doesn’t mean to but he enjoys keeping you stuck. So you’ve got to override his ideas and try something different. That’s what creativity really is – it’s the art and science of doing things differently.
Originality is creativity’s middle name.
Thinking outside the box means trying things that you haven’t tried before. And often, those that are most successful, come up with something that at first seems totally ridiculous!
Think of Se
think outside the box
th Godin’s purple cow. Silly right?
Silly but effective. Imagine yourself putting a big purple cow on your website, business card or brochure. You’re probably cringing right?
Well I’m not suggesting that YOU put a purple cow on anything. That was Seth’s original idea. But I am suggesting that you take risks like he does and think outside of the routine.
Here are some ideas to get you started, but feel free to improvise:
- Think in color, that was part of the purple cow’s effectiveness, it catches our eye and is interesting and different.
- Think ‘difference’ – take a look at something that you’ve done and ask yourself, “What could be different about this?” One small change often makes a big difference.
- If you really want to go out on an edge, and I suggest you do, then ask yourself, “What is the last thing that I’d want to do?” You can decide whether you want to do that or not, to do that or not but at least you’ve gotten yourself to think way outside of your usual box.
That’s the idea. Stirring up your creativity is good for you and good for the world, because no one wants to read or engage in your boring, ordinary communications. They just don’t, so don’t kid yourself about it.
be creative
People today, especially the younger generation like things snappy, quick and interesting and so do you if you’re honest with yourself.
Sometimes we’re afraid to make change, try something different and live outside the box. But that is old Mr. Lizard again asserting himself when he should be off taking a nap.
Today wake up Mr. Lizard and try something new. You will be glad you did.
Creativity in communications is everything. It is the wave of the future and I know you want to be on that wave.
Don’t you?
Thanks to my friend Jeannette Paladino of Write, Speak, Sell for inspiring this post!
Retreat 42 – We’ve Launched the Ship!!
April 11, 2010
Wow, who knew that out of the confusion of my life, I would create something as amazing as Retreat 42, my brand new program for retreat in daily life.
Back in December, I was feeling stuck about getting bigger projects off the ground. I had several bodies of work that I never finished and it was really bugging me.
This coincided with meeting my now business partner, the fabulous Ian Waddelow who lives in France, although he’s a Brit by birth. Ian contacted me last fall and we hit it off immediately and began to collaborate.
Ian has amazing creative energy and wisdom in spades. He is a senior consultant to CEO’s and boards dealing with strategy and brand marketing. He’s also an educator at several major business schools in England and a well-known speaker at conferences and events.
Let me tell you, Ian is a wizard at what he does. He transforms businesses in a way that I’m pretty sure, they don’t even know what hit them!
After meeting Ian I was asking myself - What does it take to get bigger projects off the ground?? And I decided to put myself on a retreat in daily life to figure this out.
My premise was this – every great idea came from somewhere. We have this idea that when we need inspiration, that we need to ‘wait on the muses’, but I decided that waiting on the muses wasn’t good enough. Mine are too fickle, they’re always off shopping in Paris!
Waiting on the muses is a phrase we use to infer that inspiration is fickle or out of our control. But is it? If inspiration comes from somewhere else, where is that somewhere else and how can we tap it whenever and wherever we need it?
If you think about it, every great idea, every artistic masterpiece, Eureka moment, life changing work or project comes from a realm that the mystics call the 99%. This is the place of ‘divine inspiration.’ All creative ideas come from a place beyond the ordinary five senses.
That’s why it feels like we can’t tap inspiration when we need to. But I decided that there must be some way to tap it reliably and regularly. This was my quest to find out exactly how.
I took time every day to listen to music that would take my brain to another state. No, not New Jersey, but another brain state that’s called the theta wave. I tried not to work or think too hard, but just let ideas and inspiration come easily.
Each day when I woke up, I spent time writing, journalling and jotting. During the day, I would just allow inspiration to come and I would jot that down as well.
At first I didn’t even know exactly what I was going or how I was going to figure any of this out and it was pretty scary to commit to something that you don’t know exactly what it is! I decided that it needed to be 42 days.
Why 42?
- the mystics went into the desert for 40 days. I figured in our modern life, we need a day to get in and a day to get out = 42!
- it takes ’6 weeks to get a change into the bones’ – 6 weeks equals 42 days.
- the first lines of creation in the ancient Aramaic equal exactly 42 letters.
This all seemed to line up perfectly and so 42 days was set in my mind. I gave myself a few guidelines upfront. I agreed that I had to finish the retreat no matter what. I told myself that even if up with absolutely nothing, it would be ok and I committed to giving it my all and trusting the power of inspiration to guide me.
I did the same thing for 42 days and by the end of it, believe it or not, I had created an entire body of work – I had written a whole book and created an entire process that I didn’t even know I was creating.
How’s that for pure magic!
Once I was finished, I decided to take a risk and invite my new partner Ian onboard as a collaborator.
I’m sure Ian won’t mind me saying that he was pretty skeptical at first. I’m sure he thought my idea was pretty wacky, but he trusts me so he agreed to go on the Retreat 42 himself.
At first I was a little worried. Ian’s results seemed mixed. I wasn’t sure it was working and being British, he didn’t tell me much :>)
But then somewhere near the middle of the retreat, things started to happen – the ground started to quake and something new started pouring forth. After he finished, he suggested we try it out with a group and so we launched a Pilot program of 24 brave adventurer’s who agreed to try out our program for free.
I’m happy and proud to say that they did it! Their last day is today and they made it through the desert and have come out with gifts. I’ll let some of them share their stories in upcoming blog posts.
It was amazing to watch an entire group go through this process. They are extraordinary people from all over the world – England, Germany, Spain, Belgium and the US. They helped us to see that Retreat 42 really works, anytime, anywhere. 
Thanks to them, Ian and I are proud and delighted to announce:
Retreat 42 is officially launched!
We will be starting our first programs in the Fall, with an amazing line-up of goodies – from self-guided retreats, to themed programs and even (get this) wonderful in-person retreats in amazing locations around the world.
We have made the package and the pricing incredibly attractive. You just won’t be able to resist trying this out for yourself!
And I guarantee 100% that it is the most life changing thing you can do.
It was for me. I wrote a whole book and created an entire body of work in only 42 days – something that I never thought possible. If you’d like to know more about Retreat 42 or join one of our upcoming programs, please email me or Ian. We’d be happy to chat to you.
You can connect with us at annie@anniehart.com and ian@ianwaddelow.com. I encourage you to get to know Ian. He’s someone really worth knowing.
POP! Here comes the champagne – Retreat 42 is officially launched.
There’s No Such Thing As Writer’s Block!
April 5, 2010
I know, I know. Before I even get this story out you’re gonna tell me – What do you mean there’s no such thing as writer’s block? And then you’re gonna spill out all of your stories about all the ways and times that you’ve been blocked from writing something, right?
Yes I agree that we all believe that there’s such a thing as writer’s block, but I’m here to tell you that it really doesn’t exist.
Think about it this way – when you were 4 or 5 years old and someone threw some Playdough down in front of you, did you ever say -’ Oh I can’t play with that. I just don’t know what to make?’
The answer is no you didn’t. You never said that as a kid, you just dove in and began molding the Playdough. That’s just what your hands wanted to do. Many times you didn’t even know what you were going to make right? Something just emerged.
Well it’s exactly the same way with writing. At it’s best we write they way we used to play as kids – freely and fully. Sounds easy but it’s not. It’s tremendously difficult. Not the writing itself, but undoing what’s in the way of letting it flow.
So if there is no such thing as writer’s block, then why can’t we write easily and freely like children playing? Because though there is no writer’s block, there is what I call the Critic’s Seige. 
It’s not really that you’re blocked. Remember that when you didn’t know what you were going to make with Playdough, you played freely and rolickingly. But when you sit down to write, paint or create, then your good old inner critic sneaks up behind you and while you’re trying to write or create, he or she is whispering menacingly in your ear.
You know those dog whistles that dogs can hear but you can’t? That’s how your inner critic works. It’s a silent but potent voice that stops you in your tracks.
It’s not that you’re blocked. It’s just that you’re listening to the wrong voice. You’re listening the one that says things like:
- who do you think you are?
- no one wants to hear what you have to say
- you have nothing of value to offer
- even your mother doesn’t love you (I just threw this one in for fun)
The critic is telling you all of the things that you secretly believe about yourself. You just never knew you did, because these awful lies lay hidden inside of you like tiny fungi waiting to sprout in the spring rain.
Your desire to write, paint, sing, dance and create actually sprouts these little monsters quicker than anything. So beware.
Beware and be aware that when you move into your creative energy, these little beasts will do anything and everything to stop you from sharing the beauty of life inside of you.
Why? Because these little beasts prefer darkness. They are like fungi and prefer the cold, dark, dampness, not sunshine and the flowers. They hate when you have a streak of inspiration or get past their roadblocks they have set up to stop you.
That’s why THEY created the term ‘Writer’s Block.” Ha! Yes, they figured if they could confuse you and make you believe that you were stopped, then you would be.
But you’re not blocked and you’re not stuck. You were just temporarily in a bad trance that was induced by these little inner critics, gnomes, trolls and other such creatures whose sole intent is to stop your creative energy.
It was a temporary trance unless you believe it of course.
So obviously do not believe it. Go back to playing like a child. Write, dance, sing and create as if you had not a care in the world. Remember that feeling? It’s glorious.
You will be surprised at what comes out. Even if you don’t ‘like’ it, you will feel it’s life energy. And that’s the whole idea. You just need to create.
Creative energy was meant to be expressed in as many forms as possible.
Today, stay unconfused about your creative energy. Let it come up, out and move into the world. Do not worry about where it goes or how it expresses itself. Just open the gate and let the horses run free.
42 Day Creative Retreat Process, Details Revealed
February 25, 2010
Yesterday I revealed some of the details of the 42 Day Creative Retreat process for the very first time my friends Jeff Simpkins and Eric Cook.
If you should want to listen, it was a very lively show and I think you’ll get a lot out of it!
Click here to listen
Enjoy!
42 Day Creative Retreat Process: The Details Revealed
February 21, 2010
Woo-hoo here we go folks. This week for the first time I will be talking about the 42 Day Creative Retreat process live on a Webinar with my wonderful colleague Jeff Simpkins.
Here’s the description:
42 Day Creative Retreat Process: How to go away every day
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 1 pm Eastern
You want to do bigger things in life but sometimes those bigger, more meaningful projects seem impossible to get off the ground. How do you take time out of your busy day to dedicate to the things that really matter to you? More importantly how do you overcome that ever present inner critic that tells you you can’t do it? Join Annie Hart (that’s me), creator and developer of the 42 Day Creative Retreat Process which helped her create a nearly complete body of work in only 42 days.
Now what’s not to love about that folks?
You want to do bigger things in the world and it’s darned hard to get them off the ground right? That’s why I put myself in the ‘desert’ of my own life to find out how to crack the code and I’m bringing it out to the public now for the very first time.
Please join us. Jeff is great – very lively and engaging. He is the one who I tell the funny story about that he turned me on to Bea Fields, the blogging class and the power of Twitter. This is a man with a lot of heart, knowledge and expertise.
He will be hearing about the process for the first time as well. So do be on the edge of your seats to find out all the juicy details!
The Webinar is free but you do need to register. Just click here to do so.
Coming soon, my collaborator Ian Waddelow and I will be launching a 42 Day Retreat pilot group. How fun is that!
So stay tuned for more and as always get out there and change the world!
Annie
Video: Creative Retreat Inspiration
February 8, 2010
The Miracle of the Creative Retreat Process
January 27, 2010
Today I officially finished my 42 day Creative Retreat and it’s been absolutely fantastic – truly miraculous. I accomplished what I set out to do!
When I started I had only a tiny idea of what I was doing. I wanted to crack the code on why I couldn’t get bigger projects, like writing a book, off the ground. I also wanted to know how you can access inspiration whenever and where ever you need it. I decided to set aside some time and figure this out.
Initially I thought I might only spend 4-8 days over the holidays to do this, but very soon the retreat process took on a life of it’s own.
It’s a common belief that we have to wait on the muses to inspire us, but that’s not very useful when you want to get things done, because the muses don’t tend to ever show up when you need them.
I don’t know about you but there have been times when I have sat down to do a project and nothing comes. All that information that is somewhere inside of me has decided to go off to hide in a cave.
It is damned annoying!
I wondered to myself – is this just a cruel trick of the muses or is there something that we can actually do about it? I had an inkling that there was a way to access it all the time, I just wasn’t sure how.
During the retreat I realized that the realm of inspiration is always there. It doesn’t actually come and go at all. So the question is – how can we access it when we most need to?
Well here’s the good news – I cracked the code! I’ve done what I set out to do. I not only figured out what stops us from doing bigger projects, but I also figured out what to do about it.
Then I used those findings on myself and believe it or not I created an almost complete body of work, in only 42 days! How’s that for amazing?
I also have a wonderful new colleague and collaborator, a well-known consultant in Europe, who is now doing the process as well. Together we will be creating the process and sharing it with others.
Come join us for my brand new radio show this Friday at 11 AM. Radio 42 – the Meaning of Life, the Universe & Everything. We will be discussing the creative retreat process and the amazing things that you can create in only 42 days.
Please join us Friday at 11 AM, EST. You can also download the show later if you can’t be there live. You’re also welcome to share your ideas and suggestions for the show. I am always happy to have you as part of the contribution.
Thanks to all of you for really truly for supporting me so lovingly along the way.
Yours in the creativity and inspiration that changes the world,
Annie
Connect With Annie Hart
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