ALeighEdwards.com

Many people dream to create a bigger, better, grander, more prosperous life. But, one of the most POWER-FULL things that I’ve learned about growing your creative dreams is that it takes a village. Creative dream growth requires creative dream management and management requires delegating and outsourcing (in some instances), especially if your dream involves birthing it forth into public view.

In my past life, management was my profession and I was excellent at it for a very long time. But, management was what I was trained to do. Creativity is what flows through my veins organically. So, guess which one I prefer? If you guessed “creativity,” you are 100% absolutely correct! But, as much as I love to create, what I know for sure is that creative growth without a solid system to support that growth is a recipe for overwhelm, stress and failure.

Here are a few tips from my toolbox to help you grow your creative dreams:

1.       Pray

Spirit, Divine Intelligence, God is the source of all your good. Take all of your questions, ideas, confusion, and concerns to God. God’s IS infinite creativity and only wants to see you happy, healthy and prospering. Simply ask and it will be given unto you. Then, notice God’s gifts in the form of repetitive thoughts, dreams, visions, feelings, ideas, synergistic people (earth angels), and synchronistic events.

2.       Examine How You Like to Live and Work

If you prefer working autonomously (and at your own pace), you may be uncomfortable with growth that will require you to hire or work with a team. This is very important to know. Be prepared to make adjustments as you feel necessary. 

3.       Invent Your Dream Work Environment

Visualize…Visualize…Visualize!

• What does your work space look like (i.e., furniture, paint, equipment, window and floor coverings, and accessories…it’s all in the details)?
• Where is your dream work environment located (i.e., home, mobile, brick-and-mortar)?
• Do other people share this space with you? If yes, describe them, for how long, and what they do?
• What is your dream schedule?
• How do you feel working in your dream space? List the qualities.

4.       Active or Evolve Your Inner Manager

Determine how active your inner manager is. Decide whether you are primarily (or preferable) a creative genius or if you can enjoyable combine management with growing your creative dreams. Once you know how active your inner manager is, you will know how to proceed with gaining additional management support.

If management is not your strong suit, get informed! Study how to be an effective project manager. This means learning to put time-efficient strategies into place so that your creative process flows easily and effortlessly. If necessary, hire a mentor to teach you basic business and current marketing strategies so that you can grow your creative dreams more skillfully.

Basic systems (to bring your creative dreams public):

• Cost of materials and supplies to produce your creative dreams
• Cost of basic business tools (i.e., URL, domain hosting, email marketing, logo, web/blog design, plug-ins, video production, social media marketing, etc…)
• Cost of education (i.e., life coach, mentor, classes, and etc.)
• Location (i.e., home, mobile or, external brick and mortar location)
• Creative process time
• Blogging schedule (if applicable)
• Network management (i.e., Newsletter, E-zine, and/or E-mail schedule)
• Marketing
• Social Media management
• Product or Service Launch
• What it will take to be able to pay yourself*  

5.       Make an “Assistance List”

Ask yourself, “If I had an assistant, what would I want them to do?”Then, jot down things that you are willing to delegate each time you think of something that you don’t personally need (or want) to handle.

Of equal importance… If you decide to hire an assistant, make a VERY detailed list of the characteristics and skills that you would like your new assistant to possess. Your creative dreams will prosper beautifully from these choices.

6.       Assemble Your Dream Team

We can create more through community than we can alone. Assemble the kind of team that works best for you. Define what you want and how you work best then, surround yourself with honest, loyal, dedicated, qualified, equally-creative people who will support the advancement of your creative dreams.

Make a list of who your dream team consist of…

• Virtual Assistant
• Social Media Manager/Consultant
• Financial Guru
• Life/Business Coach
• Spiritual Life Coach
• Nutritionist/Personal Chef
• Yogi/Personal Trainer
• …the sky is the limit

And, don’t forget to list how you will interact with your new dream team…

• When, where, and how often will you meet?
• How are your team meetings set up? (i.e., face-to-face, virtual, destinations)
• Who will plan and schedule?

7.        Accelerate Your Creative Dreams

Attend classes, conferences and events to network with others of like-mind to expand your creative dreams. Or, set up an online think-tank to share your experiences and exchange insight, ideas, tools, resources, and contacts with other creative people.

8.        Ground Yourself

We live in a “success blessed” society where success is intrinsically associated with being “good.” And as you evolve and grow your creative dreams, interesting shifts can occur and they may not always be positive.

Remember to continually surrender your creative dreams to the highest good of all involved and place your focus on service. When your pure intention is authentically to serve others, it keeps your ego at bay.

9.       Exhibit Unshakeable Faith

With the understanding that everything is Divinely ordered, have faith in the inevitability of your highest good manifesting.

Creative growth requires faith, prayer, change, focus, persistence, and a crystal-clear management strategy. Nurture your creative dreams carefully, tend to them well, and this growth will serve you and your creative dreams prosperously for years to come!

So, what are your creative dreams? Is your intention crystal clear? Do you feel that you have the proper systems in place to support the growth of your creative dreams? I would love to read your thoughts. Share them with me in the comments section below. And if you enjoyed this post, please share it with your social media network by clicking the buttons below for Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. I appreciate You!

Namaste,

P.S. Here are a few resources I believe you will appreciate:

• Sell Yourself without Selling Your Soul - Susan Harrow - book
• Promote Your Creativity - website
• Assistu.com - website
• Dream Big – Lisa Hammond - book

Self-love is one of the most important vibrations we can radiate out into the world. When we truly love ourselves, our personal energy vibrates at an elevated level; that is, when we authentically honor the core of our being, we vibrate “I Am Worthy and “I Am Deserving.” Sending this level of love and energy out into the universe attracts back to us the people, conditions, circumstances, ideas, and feelings that mirror our self-love vibration.

In contrast, when we don’t honor and value ourselves, we might as well be wearing a “Kick-me” sign because in essence, we are sending a strong message to the universe that “I don’t love me, therefore why should anyone respect, value or love me. For this very reason, it is of the utmost importance that we learn to value, respect, honor, appreciate and love ourselves truly, deeply and authentically.

Watch the video below to learn an exercise that will help you to practice the Art of Pure Self-love:

 Click Here to Download the “How Do I Love Me” Technique

By setting the clear intention to pay attention and notice what we love, honor, and appreciate about ourselves, we set the wheels in motions to attract more love from the outer world. By taking the time to actively give to and nurture ourselves, we are sending a clear message to the Universe that we deserve more good to come into our lives. Then the outer world will become a living, breathing reflection of our inner world.

So, as always, I would love to hear from you… When was the last time you actually thought about the ways in which you love and appreciate yourself? Do you think that this technique can help you reconnect with the pure love that you are, increase your self-confidence, or build your self-esteem? Let me know what you believe in the comments below. And if you enjoyed today’s message, please share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. I appreciate You:)

Namaste,

When we want to change something in our lives, it’s usually because we are dissatisfied with a certain condition(s) or a particular feeling associated with the “something” we want to change. The thing we may not realize is that in order to create lasting and long-term change, we must first cultivate an acceptance of what is; that is, we need to acknowledge that what is actually exist.

Take a look at what I mean…

Also, acknowledgement and acceptance helps us to let go of what is ready to be released and make way for what is ready to appear. When something in your life is no longer serving you, it needs to be released in order for you to be open to new possibilities that are waiting to emerge.

So, what is waiting to emerge in your life? What are you authentically ready to release to make room for your good? Let me know about the long-term changes you desire to make in your life in the comments below and as always, if you resonate with this message feel free to “Like it,” “Tweet it,” and “Google + it.” I appreciate You!

Namaste,

Hi Everyone!

It’s Christmas Eve 2011 and I hope this message finds you all well and S-U-P-E-R, D-U-P-E-R excited for the holidays! I wanted to let you know that my three week winter Holiday has officially begun and I will be away from the blog, email, and Social Media from now through the end of the second week of January 2012.

So, if you’re reading this message, feel free to browse around and leave a few comments. I will be back to business during the third week of the New Year with lots of surprises and good news for you.

Until then, enjoy these beautiful moments in time and I will see you fresh and rejuvenated in the New Year!

Tis The Season!

The holiday season has officially arrived and it can be both exhilarating and emotionally exhausting; especially if you are experiencing a major life shift or mourning the loss of anyone or anything significant in your life. Believe me, I speak from life experience. You see, as I write this post, I am smack-dab in the middle of processing the recent transition of my beloved grandmother. And while many professional coaches and personal development leaders hold the posture of keeping their personal circumstances close to their vest, I believe in the authenticity of sharing both the peaks and valleys + tools that will meet anyone experiencing the same or similar mixed emotions over the holiday season, right where they are. So, if this is “You” and you resonate, here are 8 Secrets of How to Flow Gracefully Through Grief during the Holidays:

1.       Honor Your Feelings. The holiday season can deliver a trick-bag of emotions that run the gamut from sadness and overwhelm to pure joy and celebration; combine that with grief on any level and you’re in for one heck of a rollercoaster ride. Give yourself permission to feel exactly what you feel in any given moment. Reflect, cry, celebrate…express whatever emotions you feel and allow them to flow up and out. Release the need to impress others or measure up to external beliefs about how you “should” feel.

2.       Ask and Ye Shall Receive. This is one of the most powerful statements ever spoken. It means that there is a Divine & Higher Power which can and will honor your request. So, if you find yourself in need of extra energy, strength, courage, patience, a compassionate sounding board, whatever or whomever it is that you need to lift you UP, ask for Divine assistance. God and the angels are ready, willing, and able to support you but, you must ASK!

3.       Release and Surrender. Often times when we are growing through change we are very heady; that is, we get very cerebral and contemplative as if we must single-handedly “fix” our emotions or the situation alone.  But, this is a great time to open your arms, and release all the thoughts, challenges, and emotions that you’ve held so tightly gripped within your hands. Open your hands, arms, and your heart to love; to the love and support of compassion beings around you and to the love of Divine support. Release and surrender. Emotionally, let it all go. And remember to be willing to ASK for help if you need it.

4.       Ink it. Write a heart-felt, un-sent letter to your loved one (or gratitude list) expressing exactly how you feel about them at this moment…the memories, experiences, your gratitude for their contribution to your life. Then, either store it away in a special place (e.g., book of poems, spiritual text, photo album, scrapbook, or drawer in your home) or perform a symbolic ritual of burning and releasing.

5.       Go with the Flow. Redefine your expectations of the holiday season, at least for this season of transition. If you feel the need to scale back and graciously say “no,” do so. This is a good time to create new traditions and redefine or release others.

6.       Celebrate. Gather with a small, close-knit group of nurturing family and friends who knew your loved one or understand your circumstances to share stories, memories and pictures. There is strength in numbers and their celebratory support can lift your spirits.

7.       Receive Energy Work. Your body is a remarkable energy field that will respond positively to energetic treatments. Energy work, such as Reiki, Qi Gong, Cranial Sacral Therapy, and Theta Healing can benefit your energetic body in tremendous ways. Seek the assistance of a qualified practitioner by contacting a local metaphysical or holistic healing center.

8.       Believe and Trust. Acknowledging that your current emotional set-point may feel raw and shattered, you must know and believe in your heart that everything is healed and whole right now; you are right where you are supposed to be, in this moment. And as your faith grows and your trust enables your mind and body to relax, your strength will increase. Believe and Trust that all is well and that the intensity of your emotions will subside.

Now, this list is in no way exhaustive. I’m sure there are many ways to expand on the energy and tips that I share here and if you can think of other ways to soothe a grieving holiday soul, please share it in the comments area below. Also, if you know of anyone that may benefit from these 8 Secrets of How to Flow Gracefully Through Grief during the Holidays, feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Yours in Grace and Gratitude,

P.S. Today is December 2nd and I’ve returned to this article to provide some additional resources because the Universe spoke very clearly to my soul this morning. The following are a couple of web and book resources that I hope will help anyone experiencing grief, loss, and suffering in this moment. Sending you much love and support! Leigh xoxo

Web Resources

• Life Preservers
• Beliefnet.com

Books (Please note: I am not an Amazon affiliate. I’m simply providing links in order that you read more about each book and purchase if you believe that the content will assist you or someone that you can deeply for.)

• Healing Grief by James Van Praagh
• Being Present in the Darkness by Cheri Huber
• Lights in Blue Shadows by Edie Hartshorne
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Unfinished Business by James Van Praagh
• Heartbroken Open by Kristine Carlson

Let’s face it, no one wants to acknowledge that their own thoughts are at the seat of their stalled dreams. But, when you embark upon the journey of personal development, one of the first things you must do is to dig deep… in the back…in the dark, to the core of your personal beliefs. It is there that you discover which old thought patterns are keeping you stuck.

Watch the video below to discover a tool that will help you turn the tide of your thinking:

Here is the expanded example from the video:

A Stay-at-Home Mom (Hypothetical) Desire:

To build a financially lucrative home business that I love, serving others with my gifts, and creating a legacy for my children and family.

So, if/when you become discouraged about your efforts to manifest your desires, remind yourself that to think according to the general beliefs that everyone else pays tribute to is both easy and useless. But, to think prosperously, in spite of appearances or old beliefs, is worth every effort.

Be courageous enough to move beyond what the collective consciousness sees as possible. Focus on placing your mental imagery and emotion on what beliefs you would have “if” you already had what you desire and work your way backwards to create your dreams.

I would love to know your thoughts on today’s blog post…how much time do you spend in honest self-reflection? Have you ever just stopped there and justified all the reasons you “couldn’t” or did you use it as a catalyst to launch you towards your desire? Share your experience in the comments below. And if you enjoyed the post, please do share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. I appreciate You!

Yours in Creating New Core Beliefs,

Throughout our lives, we experience the peppered disappointments of the human experience. Jobs/careers end. Wealth recedes. Loved ones make their earthly transition. Partners divorce. Friendships fade.  And when they do, we experience heart break, mourn the loss, and wonder from where our good will next come.

In order to accept a prosperous life, we must be absolutely clear in our individual mind that every good thing we want is also God’s desire for our life. To gain that clarity, it may help to ask yourself the following questions:

• If Universe has an abundance of all good, why would Spirit want “me” to live in lack and limitation?
• If God is unconditional love, how could “I” be excluded from that love?
• Why would Divine Spirit create this vast universe filled with good and then seek only misery and poverty for “my” life?

The spiritual journey is all about learning to trust. The challenges we face in life are like clouds passing across the sky. They are temporary experiences, phase’s if-you-will, not designed to last.

In time, we learn that love doesn’t come from other people; it comes through them. After numerous job and/or career changes, we learn that an employer, company, or product(s) is not the source of our prosperity. And with time, we recognize that financial challenges don’t have to be permanent or perpetual. They’re simply trying to get our attention…show us that this is a time of growth.

You must remind yourself daily that your prosperity does not come from outside of you. The ultimate source of your good is God. And though life circumstances may change, the only lasting truth is that God is always there. The Universe never fails us!

The power to live a prosperous life lives within you! You control your destiny in life. You decide how it will be, and then the Universe matches your vibration to bring your ideas and dreams into fruition.

Learning to trust the Universe is one of the greatest spiritual challenges; releasing the ego’s need to control and manipulate everything. But the one who succeeds is the one who lives a life of peace and abundant prosperity… mind/body/spirit. The person who learns to trust the Universe can say, “I don’t know how my good will come, but I know that it must come.”

So, the next time life’s challenges threaten your peace say to yourself, “this too shall pass.”

Yours in Divine Recognition,

P.S. Would love to know your thoughts here. Please take a moment to share in the comments below and if the Spirit moves you, feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter as well. I appreciate you!

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Law of Attraction is that you just need to create a mental picture of what you want in order to manifest the life of your dreams. And, Yes, you must have a crystal clear image of what you want but, that’s not all. What’s even more important is that you know how you want to feel.  

Think about a person that just makes your heart glow when you think of them or think back to a time, place or event when you were head-over-heels happy…Do you feel giddy or just feel like being silly…Do you feel more loving and compassionate toward others…Do you feel more peaceful and calm…or is there just a buzz in your being? These are the emotions that raise your vibrations so that you can attract more of what you desire into your life.  

In this following video, I share a technique to help you feel the joy BEFORE it arrives:

Click the arrow to play:

When your five senses are heightened and you feel pure joy, you exist in a vibration of already having your desires. This is the feeling nature…the energy…the vibration you want to send to the Universe. When you are in this energetic space, your statement to the Universe is, “Please send me more of the people, circumstances, and things that match the way I feel in this very minute.”And the Universe always says yes by delivering, in tangible form, that which is a vibrational match with your emotions.

So, “a penny for your thoughts.” I would love to know what you think about today’s post. And if you enjoyed it, please feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to Click Here to download your free worksheet so that you can put this practice to work ASAP. 

Yours in Joyful Feelings,