Are You an Artist?

My friends, Michael Michalski and Stephen Rager create Art. So does author Jeff Goins. Grant Peelle is also living his dream has an artist.

Some of these folks have been creating their Art or years. Stephen Rager gets up every day at 5:00 a.m. to start his project before going to work. Michael Michalski has been creating his own music for years and loves it. Jeff Goins is an up-and-coming author, speaker and blogger, while Grant Peelle produced an award-winning documentary.

Every day, these folks have a common thread to make a difference through their Art. Whether it’s a part-time or a full-time operation, these artists are on the cutting-edge daily. It’s what motivates them and allows their talent and gifts to shine. While some may take their work for granted, those of us in the trenches understand the vulnerability and risk.

They know out of every 30 people, 29 will say they’re wasting their time. Those folks know rejection and failure will happen. They wear their hearts on their sleeve and brave the pain. Because pain and failure are their friends too! It’s understood the path they chose is tough.

Artists also know it only requires one idea, song, book or movie to breakthrough. Perseverance and shipping a product are what gives them the courage to stand-out. Despite success or failure, they understand tomorrow is a new day. It’s another chance to begin again.

Artists don’t float through life settling for the status quo or approval. That’s not Art, it’s a job. No these gentlemen push the boundaries from their soul. It’s not a choice, it’s a duty.

Artists understand their passion to make a difference and touch someone else’s heart and soul! Deep down inside they’d have it no other way. It’s why they exist and what makes them unique!

Are You an Artist?

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Isn’t it Time We Pick Ourselves?



Image courtesy of:

Michael 1952.

When the teacher asked questions, most of the students raised their hands. The ambitious or popular students were usually chosen first to respond with the answer. This situation took place often, throughout the day. If you were selected and didn’t respond with the correct answer, good luck being picked again, anytime soon .

The subtle message was :

1.   You weren’t popular.

2.   The teacher didn’t trust your judgment.

3.   What you thought didn’t matter.

During the summer before a basketball game, it was common for the two most popular and gifted athletes to choose their teams from a select group. The decision to choose the most gifted athletes would be chosen first, usually followed by choosing the most popular or friends of the person doing the picking. Being one of the last two possible selections indicated you weren’t valued as much and if there was any hesitancy as who to choose it didn’t speak well for either of you. Being the last player selected meant you were “stuck” (no pick for you) on one of the team’s roster.

Being last meant:

1.   You weren’t very good.

2.   You weren’t very popular.

3.   You weren’t really wanted.

The same process appears throughout your career in lieu of promotions, positions, hiring and lay-offs. It’s all part of the same system of the Industrial Age. Instead of recognizing and nurturing individuals strength we follow the same rules rewarding the gifted, popular and our friends, while ignoring the rest. For 100 years, it was the only way to ensure fitting-in, compliance and conformity.

Not anymore.

Picking yourself is all that matters. Artists always pick themselves; they don’t wait for permission, acceptance or a christening. We always felt artists were strange, different or didn’t quite fit-in. Artists aren’t concerned with the status quo, survey results or a spreadsheet, their focus is strictly on their core mission .

It's no coincidence artists are the catalyst of change. The system refers to those people as inventors, however; they were artists first and foremost. Ford, Gates or Edison didn’t form a consensus group, become elected or chosen by anyone. Picasso, Tchaikovsky, Dylan and Symon picked themselves. Some said they were crazy and wasting their time, but their determination to succeed came from within.

 Art touches our lives, inspires movements and forges technology.

As we sit on the cusp of change in the post-industrial revolution- isn’t it time we pick ourselves?

 Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Mr. Seth Godin

Several blogs ago, I mentioned some cool startup projects seeking funding using Kickstarter. I was happy to be able to contribute to Seth Godin’s unique publishing transformation idea, which sought $40,000.00 in donations to publish his upcoming book- "The Icarus Deception: Why Make Art?" The dollar amount was exceeded within 3 hours on Kickstarter. So far, the project has more than 3,900 supporters and earned more than $267,000.00.

The project funding ends on Tuesday, July 17^th.

Seth’s has built an amazing tribe of followers who are very loyal towards his art. If you get an opportunity to catch his blog or purchase any of his books, do so. If you want to hear him speak at a conference- act quickly; Seth Godin’s lectures sell- out in a matter of minutes.

Why? Because what Seth offers is rare and sometimes free. His foresight and advice in marketing and business is cutting edge. His broad marketing research is undeniable.

Mr. Godin initiates trends and proves their success by accomplishing the act himself within the public’s view. No test run, no survey, a decision is made and without fear, he walks the talk.

Seth is willing to take risks because he knows the art he creates are opportunities.  Opportunity’s are the future and the future is now!

Besides, Seth has created a tribe and a tribe of people can make things happen quickly. He is relentless in his ideology and is always pushing the boundaries. Change is constant so his followers are never bored.

Mr. Godin often states the importance to finish, do it, ship it or simply get it done. Fear is not an option. That’s why he has the Midas touch. The Kickstarter project is an excellent example of this concept.

Congrats to Seth Godin and his tribe!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranola.com

Kickstarting your project!

For those of you with an idea that needs funding to implement-Kickstarter is an excellent choice. Kickstarter allows you to post your project with a description along with photos or a video presentation. Forget about borrowing money or maxing out your credit cards to go into business.

Kickstarter is free to join. It doesn't charge anything unless the minimum funding is reached. You are only charged for what you pledge and guaranteed to be rewarded the prize offered.

You setup the pledge amounts and number of financial backers necessary to fund your project. The backer chooses the dollar amount they will pledge. In return for a pledge, the backer (donator) is rewarded with different gifts. As the dollar amount of pledge increases so does the rewards or gifts to the backer.

If the required amount of money isn't reached within 30 days, you can scrap your idea and move on. Some projects are actually funded above the money needed by 200-300%.

Obviously, getting the word out helps your goal of reaching the funded needed. People with tribes of followers have a strong chance of exceeding the goal. Web presence and social media networking skills are the easiest way to build a tribe.

Best-selling author, marketing guru and blogger, Seth Godin, recently launched a Kickstarter project needing $40,000 to release his next book "The Icarus Deception: Why Make Art?" In less than 3 hours his project met its goal. The project has 15 days remaining on Kickstarter and has earned over $253,000.00 from 3,700 backers.

Seth Godin's goal was to use Kickstarter to pre-market a book before its release changing the way traditional publishing is marketed. You can read about it here.

Another project that blew me away (and like Seth's project above I missed the chance to pledge and receive some really cool gifts) was the funding for a film called: "I'm Fine Thanks." The film is a documentary by Crank Tank Studios, who travelled the country to interview people who created their own success by not settling for mediocrity. (This is the stuff I love to write about and I can't wait to see this motivating film).

The 5-man film crew asked for $100,000.00 in pledges. At the end of the 30-day run on Kickstarter, the artists raised over $116,000.00 with 4,700 backers to make their project become a reality.

Congrats to Kickstarter, Seth Godin and Crank Tank Studios for their successful and innovative ideas!

Until We Meet Again, Jim Carver
Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School "Band of Gold"
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranla.com