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10 Ways to Attract Opportunity

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Below is my list of tips that I use to attract opportunity and keep things rolling. You can also apply this to personal goals, but these tips are for those of us working artist and bloggers who want to up our game!

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1. Bust a fear. Before anything, you have to believe in yourself. You’ll never move ahead if you don’t 100% believe that you are capable of success and accomplishment. You, alone, without help from anyone. If you don’t believe in yourself and what you have to offer, how can you expect anyone to invest in your or your business? So what exactly does “bust a fear” mean? It means to challenge yourself to something out of your normal area. Believe that you can conquer it and then prove it to yourself and do it. For me, last year it was hiking to the top of Rainbow Bridge at Glen Canyon. I HATE hiking. I didn’t want to do it because I was so out of shape, and there was no glitter shaking involved. In other words, I’d gotten used to a comfy lifestyle of blogging and crafting. I griped the whole way up that hike, I’m so glad you can’t hear what was going through my head, I’m embarrassed! But when I got there and realized what I did, it changed me. Because of that experience, I’m going to pick a challenge like that and try something different.Not because I like it, but just to keep me on my game.

2. Pick your target, take aim, and throw the darts wholeheartedly. Now that you believe in yourself, what do you want for your brand, blog, career, etc. Do you want more traffic to your site? Do you want sponsorships? A bigger following? A licensing deal? Do you want to do public speaking based on your blog? Write and publish a book? Make more money? See where I’m going with this? Be specific of what you want. Know that whatever you put your energy into, you will see results. Once you choose what you want, research and make an action list and follow through. For example:

I want to double the size of my mailing list by August. IDEAS:

 – Add tagline to the bottom of emails

– Make a graphic to promote my mailing list.

– Send an email blast promoting it.

– Post once a week to remind my social network followers.

– Have a giveaway campaign to draw attention.

 – Send an email to my inner circle blog friends, see what I can promote for them.

See? Like that. Look up other people who inspire you and see what they are doing. For me, I pick three topics to focus on for the year. Plan strategically. Again, be willing to work at these topics, break them down into manageable chunks. The more you focus on your chosen targets, the more people you will meet in those areas.

3. Use a # for your goal. Haha, this is kind of silly, but I like to do it. Every little bit helps. What is the hashtag you would use to represent your goal? Be specific. #bookdeal2014 or #licensingdeal2014 instead of #millionaire2014. You can also use these for your passwords, not only do they use different keys but every time you sign on, you are sending that message to the universe!

4. Get organized. Oh, lordy, you know this! This goes to the other designers out there like me. It’s easy to have twelve projects to make on deadline and the mess builds up quickly! But know that the state of your room is the state of your life! It’s a pain in the butt, but up your game and think of yourself as a professional. Force yourself to clean up after each project, answer emails timely, keep everything tidy. Get rid of the junk you don’t use! It’s clutter! And your schedule too! It will clear your mind so you can come up with awesome new ideas!

5. Stop saying “I know” and “I don’t know.” Every time you say these phrases, you are cutting off opportunity. If you know it, then do it. If you don’t know it, get help from someone who does know.  ‘Know what you don’t know’ – is a quote I heard recently that I love. Empower yourself and soak up lessons from every situation. The more you say, “I know.” the more you will stay in the same place. Instead, think of a new way to apply the process, or maybe try it again.

6. Appreciate the negative people, but don’t dwell on trying to win them over. They are put in our path for a reason – so we can learn what not to do! Other than that, they are energy drainers and detractors. I do my best to block out negative people, but sometimes we can’t, right? Just know that they likely have their own issues and project that frustration out on others as a distraction. Rather than trying to win them over, you could be giving happy shout outs to the people who are always sure and steady for you. And – be the example, steer the energy in a different (better) direction!

7. Shake your snow globe! I’ve mentioned this before here. How can anyone see all the light your project if you don’t shake your snow globe every now and then? If you’re a blogger, offer some surprising posts, introduce yourself to a magazine or site editor, visit a new conference, do something awesome and share it with your readers. Make a little graphic for your blog, or for an original quote you always say. Make yourself noticeable, make people do a double take, let them knowhow fabulous you are!

8. Take classes in topics you think you already know about. Think you know about graphic design, knitting or photography? Take a class in those topics to get fresh perspective. Open your mind to the thought of embracing new! This also works great with artists. Take a class and don’t bring any of your supplies, only use what the teacher has. It forces you to work from a different view, who knows what will come from it! Best thing, leave with ideas of how you can add a “twist” to the topic!

9. Surround yourself with positive people and help each other. Growing up, I always had a family member who warned me of the cruel world and cruel people out there. I remember thinking that I better be positive and hang out with positive people to help me be strong when I finally met up with the “cruel.” You know what? The cruel never quite happened because I have always hung out with the happies. Invest time and energy into positive relationships to build each other up. Not just in one area of your life, but in all aspects.

10. Don’t fear success, opportunity or prosperity. Recognize and embrace. Put in the hard work and be ready for what is to come. Stop thinking of success as this big unknown scary place or thing. In fact, sit down and write out what success means to you. Again, be specific and define it so you are in control. Make a BIG picture list and break it down into tasks. There – now you have your goal list! Cross off each accomplishment as it happens, document it, and know that you are one step closer to your destination!

As far as opportunity. Think back to your main goal. If the opportunity presented helps make that happen, go for it. If not, pay it forward. It can be damaging to take EVERY opportunity, it will suck the life out of you. So really think about how it fits in the big picture and you’ll know the answer of what to do.

Oh, wait!

BONUS: 11. Be prepared! For example. If your goal is to write for a certain magazine, have a list of story ideas ready to go. If your dream is to have a product line, have it storyboarded out and ready to show. Name your collections or styles of art. I learned this the hard way once. Years ago, early in my career, I had a magazine publisher sit me down, look me in the eye and ask, “If we were to launch a magazine called Crafty Chica, what would be the content?” I. Was. Speechless. It was then that I learned how important it is to have a mission statement about what my brand was all about. So I’m telling you – be prepared. Because once the ball starts rolling, a lot of things will come your way and you want to be confident, know what your brand is all about, and most importantly, what you want out of all of this. Why do you do what you do, what is the end result you want?

BONUS 12: It’s not all about you. It’s so easy to fixate on our own struggles, hopes and dreams, plans and all that. If you over think, over post, over share about you, you, you – the energy wears thin. Sometimes it helps to step aside from your work-in-progress and come back later. Preoccupy your mind and thoughts on other positive things and project them outward. If you are stuck, but in the meantime see a tip to help someone else, take a break from your issues to help them. I’ve learned that enlightenment and inspiration will splash you in the face when you least expect it and it will feel so refreshing and reenergizing!

OK, one more!

13. My fave! Make a promise video. Record a little video sharing what your goals are for the year and make sure to watch it each month. You can host it on YouTube and make it private if you want. It’s a great way to check yourself!

Good luck for 2014, I wish all of you so much love and success!

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7 thoughts on “10 Ways to Attract Opportunity”

  1. I absolutely love this post! I started the new year by doing something WAY outside my comfort zone (speaking on a panel at CHA) and I totally survived. And I actually kind of liked it! After that, I felt more empowered, confident and open to new experiences. I’ll be bookmarking this one this out and looking at it often. Thank you!

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  2. Oh man, I want to glitter tattoo your tips to my body! Kathy – you always inspire and are so “to the point” and eloquent in your words. Thank you for sharing. I’m going to work on a couple of these things now and begin that product line concept. Thank you for your guidance and friendship! You are amazing and such a blessing to my life.

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  3. This is so awesome, Kathy. I love #1, it really, really helps to face a fear. I try to do it in the morning if I can because the rest of the day seems so filled with possibilities. And that’s even if I fall flat on my face in trying to conquer that fear! 🙂

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