13 responses so far ↓

• 1 Mark Silver Apr 13, 2006

  Hi Jen,

  Great post, as usual. Authentic, clear, engaging. Thoughts on directions? I think your heart knows more than your head is letting on. Not to say that your re-orientation time isn’t authentic- I’m sure it is.

  And.

  And as I’ve gotten to know you over the last little bit of time, I’m convinced that it’s not a re-invention that’s in order- it’s a deepening. It’s planting your flag. The marketplace may seem crowded- but that’s only because the need is so very great.

  As far as what the business offer(s) could be. That’s not a question of an offer, that’s a question of how vulnerable and intimate are you willing to get with Who you are helping and What you are helping them with.

  Beyond that intimacy and clarity, it’s then a question of strategy. By strategy, I mean the creation of the complete holding, guidance and care for those Whom you are helping.

  I hope my tone isn’t coming across as flippant, because I don’t feel flippant. And I don’t mean to intimate that this is an easy-peasy process. But, it is a beautiful one. I’ll be happy to help you chew on it some more as well.

  Also, you wrote “Other authors own the self-care spotlight now.” I don’t think ‘self-care’ adequately describes the position your already hold. I think it’s something much deeper.

  I’ve faced these same fears in my own niche- but if Heart of Business can thrive in an ‘overcrowded’ marketplace of business support, you can too. But it won’t be by getting ‘bigger.’ It will be by digging deeper. Every time I’ve tried to ‘reinvent’ – I’ve just been led deeper. I’m wondering if you have unexplored territory even in the midst of what seems so familiar.

  Thanks for inspiring me with your search.

• 2 Poppy Apr 14, 2006

  I agree with Mark, I don’t think you’re truly self-care, but something deeper. Self-care in terms of an industry and nurturing feel a little bit different. I keep coming back to your books, even the ones that you wrote before you polished your writing skills, because there’s something in them that isn’t anywhere else. YOU offer something that no-one else does. And your committment to creating, moving from writing into art as the next unexplored territory, is leading you into fascinating places – perhaps the next challenge will be a gallery showing of your art, perhaps a book written and illustrated by you, perhaps something wildly different.

  I think everyone who blogs go through periods of time where there’s just nothing to say. I’ve seen some bloggers and artists shut their site down for months while they redesign, grow, let whatever is emerging be heard. Some do it so regularly that it becomes almost pretentious. But it’s far from rare – after all, who wants to write about days where you do ordinary household and family stuff?

  I’m rambling again…

  –Poppy

• 3 Jennifer Louden Apr 14, 2006

  Thank you!!

  I feel so much lighter today — and I’m also aware of this sort of continual murmur of how I can’t go / discern /hear deeper. It’s a very familiar feeling. Like I’m faking knowing when I try to know. Does that make any sense?

• 4 Carla Apr 14, 2006

  Jen, you ARE the direction.

  What if you’re already doing, expressing, feeling, connecting, serving, praying, teaching, loving, helping, creating exactly how you’re supposed to, and your brain hasn’t caught up yet?

  I don’t believe we can ever know what all we’re offering to the world. We just do our best, rest in what is, listen to Spirit’s guidance, TRUST that guidance, and pray for the courage to stretch our hearts and lives and selves even more fully.

  Thanks for YOU exactly as you are.

• 5 keri Smith Apr 14, 2006

  I can so relate to this theme of transition (maybe we can talk about it on sunday a bit). During our recent retreat I announced to the group that I officially have no idea where I’m headed creatively. All I know for sure is that it’s changing. Such a strange feeling. But I’m o.k. with it. Part of me feels like I am sitting and watching it all, letting it happen on it’s own.

  One of the difficulties is when you put yourself out into the world creatively, and you become known for one thing it becomes scary to change that, for fear that people may not like the new transformed you. The same is true in the personal realm. But I suppose that is the role of the artist (which I see you as, whether you embrace that title or not), to allow themselves to evolve and push the boundaries of the known world. To question what is. constantly.

• 6 Jennifer Louden Apr 14, 2006

  Carla and Pixie – thank you and you are really helping me see something deeper – which is that I know and accept change is a constant- that is part of where I’ve grow (yahoo! and thanks to the work Molly Gordon and I did together) and I know that showing up as I am truthfully is the key, thank Carla AND as I work with crackerjack business stragetist on how to move forward in the world, we need a way to talk about what I’m being. That is so frustrating for me!!! I have never been, nor will I ever be, one of those creative people who think the markeplace owes me. I have to find the place where my passion meets the need of others. Why am I having such a hard time understanding that???

• 7 melba Apr 14, 2006

  Hello.
  This is my first time reading your blog. I have noticed several bloggers linking to you lately, but I have to admit I didn’t know who you were.

  I just read your about page and was blown away by all that you have accomplished. Isn’t that interesting though…I am a creative blogger, love blogging, love the self help section of the bookstore, love Oprah and yet I didn’t know who you were. I think that is why I was meant to read your post today and comment to you.

  There are so many people in the world we can’t possible reach everyone at the same time. If it feels authentic maybe it is ok to keep on a similiar path (which I am excited to find out what exactly that is!). I think there is a balance between keeping the creative process fresh for you and your audience and staying connected to your intrinsic style.

  I sat with your phase
  “commercially viable distinctly unique offer”
  for a few minutes.

  I think sometimes artists feel guilty about the money part because there is so much pleasure and reward in the creative process. Commercial success ensures we can provide for ourselves and our family as well as validates our perspective.

  I will enjoy exploring your past and look forward to seeing where your creative journey leads you.
  Sincerely, Melba

• 8 Mary Apr 14, 2006

  Hi Jen,
  this is my first visit here -came via Keri’s blog – as an almost 44 year old creative women, presently blessed with the freedom to explore new genres of creating with my hands, I feel moved to share that I have repeatedly come back to Marcel Proust’s famous quote-
  “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
  Providing for our loved ones, is indeed top priority; how ever, relying on “commercial success” to validate your perspective could indeed undermine your personal truth or you unique contribution to nourishing your own creative spirit and that of the known and unknown others with whom you inspire and encourage.
  If we can learn to embrace the Mystery if you will, or uncertainty, of each of our unique creative journeys, it is then that we will experience a bigger openness and willingness to stay the course of our journey.
  THis is so much easier talked about then applied to daily life; but, I am trying real hard to live in this. to fall backwards over and over gain and TRUST the process.
  Namaste,
  MB

• 9 Jennifer Louden Apr 14, 2006

  Hi MB and Melba and welcome!

  I agree with you MB it is all about being in the mystery and what’s so ironic is as I’ve become more and more accepting of that, the pressure to delineate myself clearly the world has increased. I adore hanging out, listening and exploring where I want to go next. Okay- most of the time. But as a business, that has meant I’m scattered and it’s hard to women to understand what I do or to pithch what I do to media to reach a wider auidence. It’s a real struggle for me – staying true and close to the bone which is truly the only way I can live now – and yet not coping a story that means I can’t be in business or make a great living. I hate even thinking of myself in business but Mark Silver’s work has really made me see that it’s a very important way to see what I do. So what I’m rambling about, perhaps, is nothing other than the ancient struggle between expressing yourself creatively and making a living magnified greatly by the media flat world we live in.

  I invite more comments and I’m so glad you’ve found me.

  Jen

• 10 Marilyn Apr 14, 2006

  You asked what your intention is for keeping this blog. I wonder if you feel that finding the answer to that will help you to find the answer on how to reposition yourself in the arena where you’ve experienced success. In 12 step programs they talk about doing the work while letting go of the outcome. What was Marsha Sinetar’s old book? “Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow”…still sounds true to me 20 years later. My experience in life has been that if I’m coming at anything with a desperate desire to make money from it, it almost inevitably slips through my fingers…but if I’m doing it with passion because I simply love to do it, I’m usually greatly rewarded (and often in more meaningful ways than simply Benjamins). Another thing I learned in 12-step rooms is to let go of ‘uniqueness.’ We’re all unique, of course, but if I get my head too wrapped around what makes me unique, I can easily get lost in ego-land. So I try not to THINK about it–I try just to BE it. Coming at your repositioning from a marketplace standpoint might be a smart business model, but coming at it from your heart place might put you on the path that feels right for YOU. And if it feels right for YOU (rather than guessing what feels right for US)…well, authenticity is always more appealing than catering to market share (to me anyway).

• 11 Maureen Apr 15, 2006

  Dear Jen, and all.
  Could part of the problem be the very
  reality that not
  all creative longings involve endeavors that make money? Even if money sometimes follows doing what we love, it does not always do so. Just as an example I love to sing and dance but believe me, I could not make money doing these things, as they are creative expressions for me but my level of ability is far far below what the market would pay (we’re talking shower level singing, hymns in church, and dancing in unstructured classes for fun and spiritual growth.)
  I know Jen that we have shared the issue of being primary breadwinners.
  I find that confining at times (Particularly because my job, unlike yours,does not foster my creative side at all — any creative endeavors must be extra curricular so to speak.) Maybe sometimes you would like to just create in a way that does not involve needing to earn money, not needing to see the short (or even long) term financial reward?
  Julia Cameron in her many books speaks of the need to empty from time to time (and so do you–becoming the hollow woman). How much time would one need to be hollow?
  Maybe sometimes you would like to do fewer retreats and be creative in a totally self absorbed non financially productive way.. but reality intervenes.
  All of this said, I would concur with others who speak of how you are unique and the ‘crowded marketplace’ need not worry you. In terms of quality I so agree- I have now read many many books on self awareness that probably would be considered in the genre of your books… but you books stand out. Not only is your message wonderful, but your writing is stellar. And you don’t go around in circles, but provide the reader with something fresh in chapter after chapter.
  As for your special energy and ability as a retreat leader: well they just don’t come any better.
  Still, there is
  a lot of competition
  and one must get the word out about oneself somehow (such are the realities of capitalism and Madison Avenue.)
  Love,
  Maureen

• 12 Olivia Apr 15, 2006

  Hi, Jen,

  I wait for your blog every day with great anticipation as one of the most inspirational things I read on the web because of how your transparency and “realness” inspire me to move more in that direction in my own life. I think that the most valuable thing you bring to your business, your blog, and those whom you interact with in the world, is YOU. “You” will be the center and the commonality between what your business is now and what it will be in the future.

  Another reason you are inspirational to me is that you are always evolving, and are willing to go with that. Stasis is boring. I may be wrong, but I don’t think anyone is looking for you to produce a consistent, homogeneous product, even in the short term—I think they are looking for you to just be you. And that “you” will evolve, and then those of us who are at a point on our path where we can appreciate your work will be thrilled. I think that this is a scary thing, to trust that all will work out okay wherever things lead you, and however different things are, but it’s a brave and necessary path for those of us who really want to be all that we can be.

  I am also a great admirer of Oriah Mountain Dreamer. I really identify with and am inspired by her realness and her acceptance of her introversion..and of course, but her writing style. On her web site she writes about the newest phase of her life, a “call to stillness” in which she in on an “indefinite sabbatical from public speaking and teaching”. She writes, “I have a sense of being in a time inbetween, a time of personal change, a time of not-knowing what is next. I am resting and recuperating. I am at home, cooking, cleaning out closets, planning my garden and going very slowly through my days. I am waiting for the impulse to move to come from deep silence and stillness. I do not know how long I will be in this place and I do not know where it will lead, but I am grateful to have the opportunity to be here.” My thoughts on this were: “WOW!” This is so incredibly brave. It is rebellious with respect to our culture of achievement and productivity. But I think that fallow times and transition times are vital if we want to be authentic and true to our calling.

  I trust that your own personal calling will be revealed in exactly the right time as things unfold, and that your financial situation will follow right along perfectly, too. I know it!

  Olivia

• 13 new moon journal Apr 17, 2006

  Today is not a good day to work…

  After catching some flack from disappointed clients I felt the need to post this here. Please know that each year I take a sabatical in the summer to recharge and renew, create and play. The dates thi…