Success | Alexia Petrakos

Tagged: success

Dec 28

The Obligatory End of the Year Post

Around this time last year was the very first theme I’ve ever claimed for the new year.

In 2009, I decided on “Learning.”

I wanted to learn about things I thought I wanted to do.

I took an intro to Art Therapy class from SCAD.

I wanted to learn more about myself and what it was that I was meant to do. And I think I may have finally got it (at least for now ).

I wanted to learn as much as I could about marketing and business. So I listened and read and signed up for a 6-month-long course.

I could be completely satisfied learning in one setting or another for the rest of my life. But I also learned that there is a time for action.

Out of all this learning came quite a few really good things:

( Read more )

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Posted in dreams 2010 dreams excitement goals new year self-development success

Dec 09

Starred Items: The I’m Missing My Other Half Edition

This week Starred Items comes to you from Sunny New Jersey… where I’m sitting on my parents’ couch wrapped in blankets and sweater.

And my other half is home, finishing up some recording and being generally bachelor-ish. He says he misses me but secretly I think he’s enjoying not having to shave…

I’m up here for two reasons. First, I’m not going to see my family for Christmas. We alternate holidays since our families live in different states.

Second, I went to Times Square to see Suzanne Evans & crew for the NYC stop of the Help More People Tour which was 9 hours of intense teaching & blitz networking.

I’m most definitely NOT a super-networking-gal, so I met a few people and got to know them a bit better. However, there was lots of great info passed on to everyone. My favorite quote of the day was

“Stop bitching and start a revolution.”

And I have an announcement to make. You know the thing that I’ve been hinting at?

It has a name and a site. Whee!

So go see my new thing at Thrive Creative Coaching, where I help creatives kick the snot out of their soul-sucking day jobs and create business that makes ‘em money doing what they love.

So, on to the linky goodness!

The Big Secret to Success? Run With What You Have: I’m a big fan of Dave Navarro (no, not the musician, but he’s not half bad…), so you’ll probably see lots of his stuff here.I’m a big fan of just getting stuff out there, even if it’s not 100% perfect. If you wait ’till the right moment or until everything’s absolutely perfect, you’ll never do anything.

So get your arse in gear and put yourself out there.

Kissing ass, quantum leaps, and the power of being unqualified: Danielle LaPorte is unqualified. But she doesn’t let that stop her.

Why do you?

Who do you think you aren’t? A bit more on doing it anyway. Acknowledge your limitations. Evaluate if they really are limiting you.

And do it anyway.

What other coaches & bloggers are saying about goal-setting: Cath Duncan’s continuation of exploring goal setting that makes sense. Good thoughts from others. My favorite is Ken Robert’s:

“Focus on Small Daily Action”

The Key to Consistent Creativity and Productivity: This is a long post. I have to read it again since I tend to skim (as most web-readers do), but I recommend you read it a couple times through to get the full benefit.

I particularly like the explanation of the task switching cost. It’s the time that you lose from disengaging from one task to engage in a different one.

So, what have you been reading lately that’s impacted you?

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Posted in Links creativity goals perfectionsim productivity secrets success unqualfied

Nov 18

Starred Items: Skull Cats & More Goal Stuff

I’m all recovered from last week and back into my sorta-half-arsed routine.

There are two major things brewing for me these days. One is a book I’m starting to formulate, thanks to Barbara Sher’s Write/Speak Seminar I took a few weeks ago.

The other is a new business. I don’t have a name for it quite yet, but I’m helping artists and other creative types stuck in soul-sucking day jobs. I want to help them sort through their overwhelming mess of ideas and make money doing what they love.

I’m thinking of calling myself a Thriving Artist Coach.

If you’re a creative and need help, I’m looking for a few good artsy-types for a free session. Contact me and we’ll get something scheduled.

And now for the linky-love:

Leslie at Comfortable Shoes Studio is giving away some Moleskines. Lots of ‘em, including the new desk calendar, volants, and the drool-worthy color a month planner. I love giveaways! Follow her on Twitter @lessherger. *
The #1 Reason You Haven’t Had More Success In Life: Our own limits, imposed upon us by our own brains to keep us safe, are the reason we’re stuck where we are. Here’s how to break through our self-imposed limitations.
33 Rules of Persistence: How To Stick With It, Be Patient and Achieve Your Goals: As a rather scatterbrained creative gal, I have a hard time sticking with stuff ’till the end. Part of it is because I’m wired that way and I should probably hire a VA or something when I can afford it. But sticking with things ’till the “end” (whatever the end is… and it’s different for everyone) seems like something I should try at least once.
The Story of a Reluctant Entrepreneur: Realizing that being an entrepreneur isn’t a bad thing.
Matthew the Skull Lollipop Evil Angel Cat: I hesitate to put this one up here because I want it. Badly. But I also want to tell the world about this artist, zeropumpkin. I wish her oodles of success. And you can see this cat at the right side of the page.

*Links for the moleskines are my Amazon Associate links.

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Posted in Links entrepreneur goals limitations limits moleskines persistence success

Oct 19

You Need a Mentor

Long before university was the “obvious” next step, most young people were apprenticed to a master. They’d learn a trade from someone who’s been doing it for a while and was successful enough to afford to keep and train an apprentice.

These days the most we get from our normal path of schooling & work are a boatload of advisors (teachers, parents, relatives…). They sort of know how to get where you’re going (if they know at all) and can sort of steer you in the right direction. But more often than not, they’ve not been where you want to go. That is, unless you want to be a teacher or get into the family business.

In order to succeed as a bit of an unconventional person (self-employed, non-traditional jobs, etc) you need a mentor. Someone who has been where you want to go.

Of course you need to figure out where you want to go first, but once you have that nailed down, you need to find a mentor to help you on your way.

So how do you go about finding a mentor?

Jared Matthew Kessler’s book “Your Uncommon Guide to Finding the Ultimate Mentor” is the place to start.

Jared takes you through exercises and steps that help you find your mentor. This book also explains what a mentor is, why you need one, what the mentor/apprentice relationship looks like, how to find your mentor and how to cultivate that relationship.

And how is Jared such an expert?

As I’m living proof, let the compass guide you along in finding the path worth creating in living the life you choose to lead (not what someone else sold you to believe). The difference? Having a mentor instead of an advisor.

He found a mentor around 10 years ago, lifted himself out of his crummy circumstances and is now helping others find their own way with his books, blog & the Black Sheep Project.

Off to complete the exercises & find my mentor (although I have a few in mind…). How about you?

Sign up on Jared’s email list to get in on the pre-sale event going on October 22-24. You’ll be able to get the eBook before it’s released to everyone else and get it at a lower price.

*none of these are affiliate links… I just like what Jared’s doing & want to help!

photo credit: eddidit

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Posted in Musings achievement dreams goals mentor success

Not your average eclectic…
Creative Explorer, Guide & Expedition Leader. Visual Journaler, Pursuer of Dreams. Idea Generator.