The Power of Music

Check out this holiday video of the amazing US Air Force Band.
I'll bet you can't help but smile.

Enjoy!
-Katie

Musical Surprise at the National Air and Space Museum

Who's On Your Dream Team?

As an entrepreneur and manager of a one-woman shop, it's easy for me to feel isolated. This could prove especially debilitating for my business since I get the bulk of my energy from talking to other people. As you can imagine, working in a vacuum has its limitations.

Fortunately, I have many great friends, colleagues and general go-to people to keep me thriving. After all, a healthy support system is key to surviving any business or job. And I recognize that my greatest successes come when I connect with the motliest of crews: people from a variety of fields and perspectives.  In fact, the more diverse the personalities and thinkers, the better the collaboration. Katya Andresen, President and COO/Incoming CEO of ePals, has compiled the ideal confluence of minds and personality styles needed for great problem solving and implementation.

Who needs to be on your Dream Team?

Create Yourself: Will Gray

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” 

― George Bernard Shaw

Last year, when my friend, Rebecca, recommended I go with her to a screening of Will Gray's documentary, "Broke," I thought little of it.  But Rebecca always has good recommendations when it comes to musical events, so I figured I might as well check it out. (After all, she was the catalyst behind my Enriquez Iglesias experience.) And this documentary was about breaking into the music industry, so I suspected that I'd probably enjoy it.

But "enjoy it" was an understatement. The experience blew me away.

The film screening was held in an intimate setting, a row house in Washington, DC. Upon entering, Will welcomed all of us in what I now know to be his typical warm, affectionate way. I was even a little taken aback by his humility and graciousness, being that he'd made a film, was a phenomenal singer and a gifted song writer.

And let's just say he was quite easy on the eyes.

(Shoot, was that out loud?)

Anyway, what really blew me away was Will's voice.  And I'm not just talking about his speaking voice or singing voice, which was, I have to say, amazing. (He and his fellow performer, Reva Williams, treated us to a few stunning performances following the film screening.) I'm referring instead to what Will had to say.  He had managed to find his Voice with a capital "V," that inner awareness that so few people seem to achieve in their lifetime.  He knew what he wanted: to perform, to create, to tell a story; and he new what he wanted to say: that the music industry was changing in some not-so-beneficial ways and how it that affects the artform of performing and songwriting.

The fact that Will had made his music career- by age 30- something profoundly personal and unique was truly inspirational.  What's more, Will had made his life his own in a world of imitators and skeptics, a world I'd become somewhat familiar with from my time in professional acting. Like a breath of fresh air he was genuine and kind. He hadn't succumbed to all of the phoniness of the music business, from the rejections, from the hardships of trying to express his art despite the throngs of people trying to break into showbiz mainly to be famous.  He hadn't been hardened by the fact that being the right look or sound can easily trump talent.

What I saw that night was someone who had chosen to transcend that often troublesome world by having faith: faith not only in God but in himself and others as well.  He appreciated the collaborative approach to music, writing and filmmaking. He spoke of the miraculous results stemming from working as a team and how he relished that collective creative process.

It became increasingly apparent as the evening progressed that Will was living in a truly multifaceted way, using his whole person. He had tapped not only into his songwriting ability and singing talent but also his entrepreneurial streak, his sharp intellect, his poetic gift for visual, oral and musical storytelling, and his penchant for finding meaning in life and sharing it with others. He demonstrated all of these extensions of himself in his beautiful music, his insightful documentary and the visual way in which he had presented the entire evening.

Listening to the story and songs of a musician who had gone for "broke" (thus the documentary's title) provided a visceral experience for all of us gathered there.  We shared an unexpected creative intimacy in a normally distant, reserved and sometimes unimaginative city. I suppose we Washingtonians just needed a bit of a renegade to shake things up!

So, from a person who has been fortunate enough to experience your talents, here is a belated thank you, Will.  Thank you for touching my life in such a wonderful way. You eloquently embody what it means to "create yourself."

The Dog Ate My Birthday Cake and Other Tales of Woe

Just when you think ya know a gal...

My precious angel turned against me in what can only be described as a moment of weakness.  Cloey Margaret, my beloved Golden Retriever , decided that she too should eat cake in honor of my recent birthday.  So, the day after I turned 42, Cloey privately celebrated by devouring what was left of my scrumptious vanilla-with-caramel-frosting birthday cake, generously made by my sister. We'd only managed to consume about a quarter of the decadent gateau the night before, so you do the math.

Interestingly, my beloved showed no signs of remorse, nor did her so-called "sensitive" tummy.

Could she actually be... smiling?!

To add to my woes, I've had bronchitis for what's now going on five weeks this summer.  Yes, you heard me correctly, this S-U-M-M-E-R.  Not during the dead of winter, mind you, when these upper respiratory infections run rampant and occur due to "cool, dry uncirculated air" or "kids." But rather, in July and August when it's sunny and humid and warm and full of jolly good romps outdoors in the sprinkler.

To say I'm sick of coughing is an understatement. Moreover, I long for a respite from inhaler puffs and teaspoons of foul tasting cough medicine. I yearn for an end to the back aches, caused by intense hack-a-thons. It's time for it all this bronchial nonsense to END. Yes, E-N-D. My body is tired and sick and sick and tired. I want to be able to just go back to worrying about worrying how I look at the pool. At least I wasn't coughing then.

(It's all relative, isn't it?)

I've asked ... excuse me while I hack up this right lung... okay better ... for some pep talks from family, because I've felt kinda down.  Not only am I not getting enough sleep from coughing, I also don't like questioning if there's an end in sight- although my pep rally peeps assure me there is.  I want to feel good again, and helpful and productive and energetic. I'm sure you can recognize these most basic of needs.

But until I reach the end of the tunnel, I find that just reaching out to people close to me helps me keep my spirits up.  Sharing my frustrations, keeping the whining-about-wheezing to a minimum of course, essentially communicates, "Let me just tell you where I am right now.  Let me tell you how crappy I feel so that you can give me at least one vote of confidence."

My husband, sister and parents are especially good at giving me votes of confidence. They don't even need to provide me with any answers, because an empathetic ear and heartfelt encouragement are really what I'm after.

(Okay, and maybe a hug or two.)

As a bonus they also offer me different perspectives on my seemingly hopeless situation.  For instance, they remind me of when I felt REALLY crappy, as opposed to JUST crappy, which I've needed to be reminded of lately.

Career Woes

Support especially proves essential when it comes to career challenges and lows.  When you have someone in your corner of the proverbial boxing ring, tirelessly cheering for you, it seems that nothing can get in your way, even those setbacks that seem insurmountable.  Outside encouragement wages war against the inner and outer critics trying to sabotage your carefully plodded efforts.  It also helps to calm your fears and put worries in perspective.

The most effective support comes in the form of a system, from sources as varied as the cheerleaders themselves, each of whom possess entirely different strengths. Here are my top five support types - we'll call them, "The Fan Club"- who are integral to your success.

1) The Mentors Although nurturing teachers and professors may certainly fill this role, finding a successful, inspirational professional within your field (or related to it) can enable you to make huge strides. A great mentor (such as mine) gives you immensely useful feedback, playing the role of coach, motivator, and muse. These individuals get what you are trying to do (often times because they've been in your shoes themselves) and want nothing more than to help you succeed.

2) The Collaborators These are the invaluable friends and family who help you in many different ways.  Sometimes they just listen, sometimes they offer suggestions you've never considered.  Some (but not all!) may understand where you'd like to go career-wise and empower you in whatever way they can.

Their help may take the form of assisting you with direct career needs, such as connecting you to their friends in your desired business. Or they may help you with the small business tasks you don't have time to do.  Often times, they can help you out personally by doing favors such as babysitting your kids (or pets!) while you look for a job, grow your business or travel for work. As long as you outwardly appreciate their help and assist them whenever possible, the collaboration runs smoothly.

3) The Constructive Realists These people do a great job of helping you manage your expectations of yourself, reminding you that setting unrealistic goals can mean setting yourself up for failure. Naturally objective types, they point out that certain career expectations have little or no logical basis, such as those statements that have the word "should" in them (as in "I should be employed by now!" or  "I should be making x amount of money at my age.") Constructive Realists are the kind but evenhanded folks that help you separate emotional conjecture from objective analysis.  They may ask you how you're specifically improving your situation but also ask you to ascertain what beyond your control.

4) The Bottom Liners A very integral part of your support system must include, of course, the people that may not be hand holders or fans so to speak, but get you the job or work or connections you seek.  These also tend to be the people that require you to take the initiative and ask for their help. If you don't tell people what you need, what you care about doing and where you are stumbling, they can't help you; it's really pretty simple.

The Bottom Liners can nimbly get to the nuts and bolts of what you are seeking to accomplish. Headhunters, business group members, career coaches*, professional associations and acquaintances may fall into this category.

*Good coaches actually fall under all five of these categories.

5) The Confidence Booster This is my personal favorite and a priceless member of The Fan Club. One of the best cheerleaders out there is a friend and/or family member that simply adores you and everything you do. This is the fan that, without any pretext, gives you a surge of unbridled confidence and self-esteem.  Their encouragement makes you feel like a million bucks. Of course, they are the most subjective of the group, but that can feel quite refreshing compared to the requisite objectivity of the others in your Fan Club. So if you have one of those in your pocket, try to connect with this person regularly.  They'll give you the boost of adrenaline you need to keep going.

My dear grandmother was a first rate Confidence Booster.  She always said the nicest things about whatever I was doing in my life.  I could have been stealing cars and selling them for drug money and she would have said, "Oh, honey.  You SHOULD do that.  You are really good at it." She was my biggest fan and that was gold to me.  Especially since she passed away, I try my best to remember her enthusiasm and think, when I'm a little down on my achievements, "What would Grandma have said to me?" (answer: that "I'm the best career coach in the world!") I also try to be that kind of fan to others, because everyone needs that kind of unabashed, unconditional support from time to time.

Moving On... I Hope

As part of my continued commitment to reaching out to others for support, I ask you to wish me luck in my recovery.

And, just curious, do you think that Cloey's quite possibly paying me back for last Easter's, ahem, incident?

Clay Shirky: What I Learned About Creativity By Watching Creatives

Check out this amazing presentation on the creative process. 

Clay Shirky, a leader in technological design and an assistant professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, discusses many of my favorite ingredients to successful innovation, including:

1. The power of collaboration and the interdisciplinary approach to problem solving 

In this case, engineers and techies collaborate with artists and designers, which he likens to a philharmonic orchestra.

2. The pleasure principle of just having fun for fun's sake (not merely "play"- which can be dictated)  

Who knows where having fun can lead?  Does it matter?

3. The consideration of individual creative needs 

What works for one group or person doesn't work for all. Sound like personal career design??

4. The importance of making your innovations interesting 

This leads people to care about what you are doing. 

5. The fuel created from working on problems from silly to serious 

Perhaps some cross pollination happens to happen?

He also happens to be a terrific communicator, so enjoy!

Breakfast Never Tasted So Good

Several years ago, when my husband and I were fairly new parents and needed desperately to get away from "it all" (which, let's face it, was in the form of a 12 lb. baby girl,) we had the pleasure of staying at the beautiful Foster Harris House, an inn tucked away in the rolling hills of the Virginia countryside.  It was there that we met owners John and Diane MacPherson, a delightful couple that we thoroughly enjoyed talking to.

We discussed parenting, crazy dogs we'd loved but who drove us nearly insane, and what it was like to live in rural Virginia, running a bed and breakfast. I then had to gush to them how much we enjoyed their delicious gourmet breakfast.  I told them what a treat it was to have something so beautiful, sumptuous and carefully prepared by 8 am.

(I couldn't recall a morning like that at our house. Ever.)

They humbly thanked me for my compliments then mentioned that, besides being a chef, John was also a cyclist.

Oh really, I thought. How cool!  A cyclist/chef!

From the Tour d'Epicure

Then they told us about how they run a company called Tour d'Epicure, which enables guests to go on a cycling tour of Central Virginia, sampling wines and culinary feasts from various Virginia restaurants along the way.

Even cooler!

Finally, they told me they were working on a cookbook which would be out later that year.

That was when I decided that they were the coolest couple ever.  Especially since they were parents to an adorable little guy (who's probably not so little now!) and a fetching yellow lab.

As the years went by and I began writing this blog, I kept thinking about the MacPhersons, how content they seemed, and how they lived a unique life that truly embodied what I always seek to create with my clients.

Then, a few weeks ago, I happened to have a conversation with someone who was about to stay at the Foster Harris House the following weekend. I told them about how much they were going to love it, just as we had years earlier.  They then mentioned something about the owners now looking to do a cooking show with PBS.

Well, I knew I could wait no longer! After all, these people had indeed reached the pinnacle of coolness and I needed to know more.

*********************

So here, my friends, is their story, as told to me by John MacPherson, innkeeper/chef/author/cyclist/and (cross your fingers!) soon-to-be-food show host:

Before Foster Harris House


Q: What was your background like growing up?  Anything unusual?

The Foster Harris House

John: Interestingly, both of my parents had traditional jobs, but my sister and I always sought out work that specifically catered to our interests and things we enjoyed.

Q: What did you enjoy doing as a child? Anything related to your current adventures?

John: My parents would most likely find me fixing up cars after school.  They’d never know what they’d find in their garage when they got home because I was always tinkering with various cars needing repair. I especially had a love for Porsches and ended up importing cars from Germany for a small local lot in my hometown.


Q: I know that prior to moving to Virginia and owning the Foster Harris House you were an industrial designer and Diane a consultant in training development. How did you, personally, feel about your prior occupations? 

John: I enjoyed several of my early jobs, like importing cars, but some of the more traditional ones proved dissatisfying. 

Q: Apparently that didn’t stop you from believing you had the ability to create something that would be fulfilling.

John: Right. This is a value I'd like to instill upon my son:  as an adult, it's important to learn, as you gain experience, to strip away those things you can’t tolerate. Instead of trying to find jobs that have something that interests you, find a way to create something that utilizes your talents and passions.  Be willing to creatively find a way to make money and express yourself.

"Working Hard not to Work"


Q: Do you find living in a creative way is more pleasure than it is work?

John: Absolutely. We work hard to not work, which is what we want our son to notice. In 8 1/2 years we haven’t worked a day.

Q: What about the difficult aspects of running an inn and several businesses simultaneously?

John: The drudgery part is okay because it feeds all the other parts that make it great.  Satisfaction comes from something you’ve created and chosen in life, rather than from someone telling you what to do with your life, career, job, etc.. Again, we want our son to understand this concept.


Collaboration

Q: I like to impress upon my clients and readers that they don't need to think of venturing out "on their own" as a sole venture, as that concept feels so daunting and unattainable.  Rather, they need to realize that other people can help you realize your goals.  How does the creative collaboration work between you and your wife, Diane?

John: Diane and I share a passion for our businesses. This was a powerful force from the beginning: having someone else that shares your enthusiasm for your vision. We also both share an entrepreneurial mindset.  We've always worked more independently and preferred autonomy.

Q:  And how do you manage working together?

John: We look at our collaboration this way: each person serves as either the president or vice president, depending on their area of specialty.  Diane is the president when it comes to marketing and the aesthetic vision.  I am the president when it comes cooking, cycling, and fixing things.  This means that while the President has veto power, the VP has a say as well.  And each of us respects the fact that if it’s one of their specialty areas, the President has the final say.  We honor that expertise.


The Entrepreneurial Mind

Q: Many of my creative clients feel as if they have too many ideas and too little time. Can you identify with that?  

John: Throughout my 20’s and 30’s, I had lots of ideas- good and bad ideas.  But, through trial and error and the wisdom that evolves with age,  I've been able to decipher what I want to focus on.

Q: How would you advise individuals to blend their interests and create their own paths?

John: Out of having several different interests, we have three specific businesses that have come to fruition: first came The Foster Harris House, then came the Tour d’epicure, then the cookbook and now we're working on getting corporate sponsorship for our food show, In Season, which has been picked up by PBS.

In Season

Q: Can you let me in on the secret to your dream it/do it process?

John: Here's how we get these ideas off the ground and running:

1. We determine our most important ideas.

2. Whatever the idea, if we want to make it work, and for it to pay dividends, we have to give it adequate focus.  We give all good ideas a fair shake, but often we put certain ones aside until the right opportunity comes along.
3. Then, the idea that was once on the back burner becomes pressing because of opportunity.  We determine that it then deserves a finer point in our time and efforts and focus.

[Note from Katie:  Notice how all of their business are designed to tie in together so seamlessly? That's great career design on their part.]

Q: So how exactly have your businesses evolved?  I know that your gorgeous cookbook, for instance, began with a few great pictures that photographer John Spaulding took of your dishes, as well as hundreds of scribbled notes in a binder!

John: That's right. Each of our businesses have taken time.  For example, it took a while for all of the pieces and people to fall into place, but now In Season, after simmering for a few years, is ready to come out.  We gradually invested time and grew it slowly, and because of that process, it's now something we’re very proud of.

Q: You should become my spokesperson! That is exactly the G.R.O.W. philosophy: don't be afraid to grow slowly and organically.

John: (Laughs.)

Q: Okay, maybe you're a little busy for the spokesperson gig.

Beginning Expectations vs. Now


Q: How have your expectations changed since you first opened the Foster Harris House years ago?

John: Initially, we were mainly hoping to provide comfort, hospitality, and a great experience to guests. This has definitely been the case; however, the friends and family that have become a part of our lives lie far above and beyond our imagination.

We could never have imagined how satisfying it would be providing good food experience in an intimate setting, listening to people talk over breakfast, and loving to hear what they have to say. There is such a personal connectedness that comes from this experience.

The fact that people come back year after year has so exceeded our expectations.  Never did we imagine we’d have our lives so enriched.  Now we can’t imagine life doing anything else!

Q: It sounds like you've had a fantastic journey thus far.

John: Yes, we’ve had the privilege of serving over 12,000 people meals;  we now have a huge family and number of people we can now call close friends.

It's unbelievable.

Find out more about John and Diane online by clicking here.

Create Yourself ... Some Suggestions

found on Little Reminders of Love

When I Saw Paul McCartney Standing There

Seriously, I did see him!  Just a few weeks ago, in The Hamptons.  I did a double-take too, thinking, is that really him??!  And by the amused grin he gave me, you bet your Beatle it was.  He apparently still gets a kick out of all of the double-taking, deer-in-the-headlights blokes like myself.  (Now, for those skeptics out there, I found out that he does indeed have a house in the Hamptons, so the sighting was authentic.)  I can see why the ladies have fawned over him for decades, because he really does have an alluring quality about him, even at age 68. 

But did I get his autograph?  Heck no! 

And could I just kick myself for that?  Heck yeah! 

I suppose I felt too intimidated by his musical greatness to dare approach him.  And it was lunchtime and the Indian restaurant next door beckoned to me with its savory wafts of curry and lentils.  And I'll have to live with this decision for the rest of my life, as this is the story I'll be forced to tell my grandchildren someday, that Grammy never got Paul McCartney's autograph because she was too chicken.  And hungry for dosas.  That's just sad.

But I digress.  I actually do have a point in boasting about my McCartney sighting.  I'd like to share with you an article that features Yours Truly.  As you know, I'm a firm believer in partnering with someone else in order to accomplish one's personal career goals.  If you'll remember, I dedicated much of my No Day But Today post genuflecting composer/lyricist Jon Larson's creative collaboration.

So you know I was beside my career-geek-self when I learned that Joshua Wolf Shenk, a writer who seems to be as fascinated with psychology and creativity as I am, has started a series on Slate.com about creative partnering.  And who is featured in Part One? None other than Sir Paul McCartney himself!

And, of course, his sidekick, John Lennon.

You see, I'm pumping up Paul as the star because I actually made eye contact with him.  So don't you Lennon fans get your feathers ruffled.  If I see John I'll give him equal billing... from the nuthouse, where I'll be residing because I saw John Lennon.

Anyway, click on the link below and enjoy!

http://www.slate.com/id/2267342/entry/2267343

Home and Life Makeovers

Designers Guild, my favorite purveyor of wallpapers and fabrics

They say...

You reap what you sow.

You get what you give.

And I say, pay the experts.  You'll save yourself some expensive DIY mistakes.

Take home decorating, for instance.  I used to think that only rich people hired interior designers, so, like most people of the non-rich ilk, I merely played the game of trial and error with home decor.  Buy a couch on sale here, hit a yard sale there... schlep fabric swatches, a dizzying amount of paint chips and tile samples to a big box home store and lug home a few gallons of pretty decent paint.   Two days and wads of used drop cloths later, things were... better.  Not great, but not too too bad.  At least the walls looked more interesting with some color added. 

On occasion, for a visually stimulating treat, I'd frolick fawn-like through home design stores.  And then I'd drool over shelter magazines for ideas.  But then it was back to Ye Olde Faithful Giant DIY Warehouse of Blah for more DIY blah projects.  Saved money on each project, but in the end had a houseful of not-so-cohesive and not-so-exciting rooms.  And most importantly, I kept wanting more solutions, so I'd keep scouring stores and estate sales for more "bargains."

Eventually, during one of my frolicking sessions in a local home design store called Decorium*, I saw a sign.  For a few hundred bucks one could get an in-home design.

Say what?

Hmmm...  The wheels got to turning.  But should I spend the money on just a design, I wondered?  Money that could go to a new armoire or sofa at a FANTASTIC PRICE?

Or, I pondered some more, would that initial investment actually save me money in the long run and prevent me from constantly needing to correct mistakes with new stuff?

I decided that the latter made more sense and... voila!  My home makeover was about to begin!

Having an expert interior designer take my design boards (I had a record number the designer told me with a chuckle) and create a cohesive, visually stunning plan just blew me away.  I felt as if this weight had been lifted off my shoulders, because although I am a very artistic, visual person, I don't have the skills required to put together an entire home design that flows from room to room.  And I certainly don't have the time to piece together resources that a designer has at his or her fingertips.

Now of course, we couldn't afford to do everything he suggested, especially all at once, but I finally had a plan!  A vision!  A direction!

A plan, a vision, and a direction.  Hmmm... sounds kind of like career design doesn't it?

See, an even more profound relief happened when I later decided to bite the bullet and spend a few hundred dollars on a career assessment.  And then another small investment to do a career coaching program which helped me implement my newly-discovered talents and aptitudes.  Talk about another weight being lifted off of my proverbially laden shoulders!

Now, I'll admit, before investing in the aforementioned career program I had the same kind of concerns I had with the home design expert. Should I spend the money on guidance instead of investing money in a new business?  Or another degree?  And the answer came much more easily the second time around.  Just as the design expertise had proved exponentially beneficial, I knew deep down that getting a direction for what to do with my life would pay me back tenfold, and not just in terms of a future salary.  (Which typically pays for itself within one or two months of employment, by the way.) The payoff also meant a tremendous boost in confidence, a much-needed break from worrying about what I was going to do with my life, and an emotionally uplifting vision to create a professional life I could enjoy.

So how is my house now, you might ask?  It looks beautiful, has energy and vitality, and has proven a welcome retreat for me, my family, and friends.  We eventually did do most of the recommendations of the initial design plan, save for a few very creative tweaks implemented to help us stay within budget.  And being the visually sensitive person I am, my home aesthetic improvements have made a big difference in how I feel at home.  A visually pleasing environment really can make a difference in how you feel.

But the improvements to my career life?  Well, I think you know that I've found a fabulous home in career design.


*I highly recommend designer David Chenault at Decorium Gift and Home, located at 116 King Street in Old Town Alexandria or go to http://www.decoriumhome.com

"No Day But Today"

Whenever I find myself procrastinating and know I just need a good kick in the pants I turn on some motivational music.  My favorite song is simple and infectious: "No Day But Today" from Rent, a rock musical based on the opera, La Boheme.
 
Since I saw the full throttle musical nearly 10 years ago, I have probably listened to Rent's original cast recording a thousand times over.  This is due, in part, to the fact that I have procrastinated putting more songs on my iTunes list, but also in part because the songs really inspire me.  The "No Day" lyrics have actually become a sort of mantra to me, words I almost subconsciously recant to myself on a daily basis.  The song uplifts me (from sitting on my duff), especially when I'm feeling (justified or not) as if nobody cares about what I have to offer.  Jonathan Larson's beautifully crafted music and lyrics give me the energy and motivation to create something good, something noteworthy, something genuinely me, regardless of the success of that creation.  So I find myself doing, not just thinking about doing.

The other day, while listening yet again to my Rent fix, I decided that I wanted to treat readers to "No Day's" powerful and haunting words.  However, before sharing his lyrics, I thought I'd research the late lyricist/composer Jonathan Larson so that I could provide a bit of background to go along with the words.  And, wouldn't you know it, in doing so I reconfirmed why I love the show and its creator, from both an artistic point of view and from that of a career coach.  Here are just some of my reasons:

"You're Not Alone" (What You Own, Act II)

When my courageous clients design their own line of work they are initially propelled by their amazing vision and talents.   Whether they create a position for themselves in a company or start their own unique enterprise, they become the boss of that vision and have exclusive ownership.  However, most of them find, understandably, that they cannot do everything themselves.  Implementing their vision requires finding other specialists to help round out their expertise.  (For example, the architect who wants to open his own niche-driven design firm but needs to enlist the advice or help of business experts.)  Ideally, the collaborators keep the boss on the right track and help navigate when the boss finds himself in unknown territory.  In the simplest of terms, the team provides the creator with a much needed kick in the pants to keep moving past obstacles.

Likewise, Rent was a fully-embraced collaborative effort.  For over seven years, Mr. Larson worked with and was supported by a creative team of individuals who brought various assets to the table.  (And this doesn't even include the designers- set, costumes, lighting, etc., who later came together to bring Rent to life.)  I'm referring just to the development stage:  masterminds who set about getting the show's structure, tone, and flow just right during numerous readings and workshops.  (Jonathan referred to the structural edits as "programming changes.") The collaborators included producers, directors, and a dramaturg who, with their different personalities, abilities and points of view, brought a broad creative spectrum to Rent's development.  Ironically, the multi-perspective effort enabled Jonathan to pare down the show to its absolute essentials. 

Of course, Rent was Larson's own voice and composition, but with assistance from insightful colleagues, the young songwriter funneled every word and note into a powerfully fueled work of art.  Due to the collaborative effort, the show injects just the right amount of humor but never gets too cheery or preachy, too cold or dark, despite the subject matter of AIDS, poverty and homelessness.  Jonathan and director Michael Grief labored over this balance in tone, each bringing his own point of view.  Says Anthony Rapp, the actor who originated the lead role of Mark, "What Jon gave Michael was some of his hope and heart and generosity of spirit. And what I think Michael gave Jon was some edge and realism and complexity, and making sure things didn't all resolve nicely and prettily. It was a good marriage."

By bringing in a variety of sensibilities, Mr. Larson's individual expression of song and story exploded into a universally appealing show.  Not only did Larson win top awards (including the revered Pulitzer Prize,) Rent became the 8th longest running show on Broadway and has been produced prolifically around the globe.  In other words, the musical speaks (or rather, sings) to millions.

"Emotion, Devotion... Causing a Commotion" (La Vie Boheme, Act I)

Using the team approach, any project, business, or work of art becomes rich and full of nuances.  But it's not without some discomfort.  Although the creator needs to feel an emotional connection to their work, even the most talented must be able to accept their own limited viewpoint.  It is impossible to not have differences in opinion when it comes to implementing your vision.  The discomfort, of course,  lies in the ambiguous nature of collaboration.  For example, what happens when the creator's opinion differs heavily from the partners' opinions?  When does the team effort become critical, and when does does the ball need to go back into the court of the individual? 

Larson struggled heavily with this conundrum at one point.  He found himself at a personal breaking point after seven years of endless editing and rewriting spurred on by his colleagues, and he was desperate for reassurance.  So he called on his mentor, composer Stephen Sondheim, and pleaded with him for helpful, objective advice.  Sondheim promptly reminded him that because theater is collaborative, part of Jon's job was "to take into account what his collaborators felt."(http://www.siteforrent.com/abouttheshow/the-history-of-rent.html)  So Jon listened to his colleagues and moved onward with the project.

"Take me for what I am" (Take Me or Leave Me, Act II)

Rent, like all of Larson's work, is genuine, personal and honest.  He wrote from experience and created music and lyrics because he needed to.  In fact, tic tic BOOM, an earlier work that was produced only posthumously, tells the story of Jon's personal struggles:  living with rejection, both professionally and personally; living with no heat in a cramped NYC apartment; grappling with the idea of leaving show business for more lucrative, stable work; juggling his survival job of waiting tables with his creative efforts.  In essence, Mr. Larson's need to write music overrode his desire to live traditionally, without hardship.

The more our creations, including our career paths, reflect us, the more we will succeed in garnering interest in our work.  Make it your own, as the saying goes, and others will be drawn to your bare naked authenticity.  In a world full of redundancy and imitation, share yourself with the world.  Take the risk of putting yourself out there.  While the initial reception may not be immediately to your liking, wait it out and trust your instincts.  Others will eventually seek your fresh perspective.

And if you think that waiting until the time is just right to put yourself out there, think about this: Jonathan Larson, 35 years young, unexpectedly passed away from a aortic aneurysm the night of the final dress rehearsal.  In his own powerful words, there is "no day but today." 

 “No Day But Today” from Rent (1996)

By lyricist and composer, 

Jonathan Larson, 1960-1996

The heart may freeze or it can burn

The pain will ease if I can learn

There is no future

There is no past

Thank God this moment's not the last

There's only us

There's only this

Forget regret-- or life is yours to miss.

No other road

No other way

No day but today

There's only yes

Only tonight

We must let go

To know what is alright

No other course

No other way

No day but today

I can't control

My destiny

I trust my soul

My only hope

is just to be

There's only now

There's only here

Give in to love

Or live in fear

No other path

No other way

No day but today

Many Roads Lead to Success

I have a friend, a fellow Virginian, who refers to himself as "Highway Man."  He has a large sales district in Virginia and Washington D.C. that he services, thus the road reference.  However, as the Highway Man will gladly admit, he doesn't always take the highway.  He prefers to liven things up by taking shortcuts, bypasses, dirt roads, side streets, however he feels like getting to his destination on a given day.  Of course, with Washington D.C. traffic, you'd better have some alternate routes in your back pocket, so Highway Man does alright going where he needs to.

Highway Man is no Radical Dude, right?  Using different tactics to get to a destination is not that wild and crazy of an idea.  And after all, taking the road less traveled isn't always a bad thing.  It may take longer but scenic views and fresh air are plentiful compared to the exhaust-filled, clogged up main thoroughfares.

So why is it that whenever the idea of changing careers comes into a person's head the first thing he or she thinks about is taking the Super Highway of How It's Done?  Like assuming you must go back to school?  Or enroll in an extensive training program?  Or come up with exorbitant amounts of upfront capital? When it comes to the mindset of millions of Americans, it appears as if hefty monetary and time investments have the ONLY proven track record when it comes to successfully switching gears and taking a new path to fulfillment, success, and happiness.   These are the superhighways of career change and you'll pay a hefty toll. (Okay, I know.  Enough with the road analogies...)

Thinking of only the most drastic, expensive, life-altering tactics can be a huge pitfall when it comes to career changing.   First of all, this philosophy keeps many people (if not most) stuck;  they avoid taking a necessary step in a new direction.  Secondly, it impedes the creative brainstorming necessary to really jump into a unique market.  Thirdly, this mindset plays into fear, and fear keeps a brain in its preferred status quo comfort zone.  Lastly, it misses the point of finding an elegant, cost effective, simple way of creating new opportunities for oneself.  No pain no gain theory debunked!!  Pointless worrying for nothing.

Of course (and this I have to say) some career changes are going to entail monetary investments and going back for another degree.  And for those who don't want to admit that's the case to get to their dream and are putting off taking any monetary risks... well, that's a whole other blog post.

No Cost Solutions

The following are 10 simple, cost-effective, alternate routes in career changing:

1) Read books on your own to educate yourself about a new field. (I call this the Abraham Lincoln method- homeschool yourself!)

2) Barter your current expertise with that of an expert in your newly chosen field.  If she/he wants to learn more about what you know, teach one another. 

3) Network with friends and family and offer your up-and-coming service for free to these people.

4) Meet new people, especially those in your new field of interest, to broaden your social circles and garner potential clients.

4) Find a mentor who has experience in the new career path you would like to embark upon.

5) Join free networking groups, associations, social groups (or, even if there is a membership fee of, let's say, $50-300/year, it's still cheaper than going back to grad school for $50-100K+!)

6) Go on informational interviews with people who haven't gone the most traditional routes.  Even if they're in a different field than you're interested in, they can give you some interesting ideas about how to take a non-traditional route.

7) Relocate.  (Maybe not simple, but it could be a perfect solution.)  Who knows, maybe you'd actually like being in a different locale where your new field has more demand or the overhead is much cheaper.

8) Create a niche that uses the expertise you already possess.  (Blending fields works well in this case.) 

9) Shadow someone, intern or work part-time in your desired new field to make sure this is really what you want.  If not, perhaps you are half way there, and just need to tweak a few elements of a new career path to make it fit perfectly.  Most notably, you are doing the experiential learning before going back to school for theoretical learning.  This helps ensure that when and if you do go back to school, you're investing money in something you're truly committed to.

10) Collaborate.  Partner with a professional who complements your field of expertise.  Form a team that combines two different specialties and therefore provides two equally good but diversified services.

So you see, there's no need to panic unnecessarily, right?  There could be a way to get where you want to go without doing anything too drastic. 

Stop Swearing and Switch Gears!

Here's an example.  Let’s say you think you might want to become a published writer and teacher like the guy that wrote a bazillion books you see filling up a whole shelf at Barnes and Noble.  This is because you suspect you’d enjoy being a teacher who writes and is rich and well respected.  Heck, why not?

So, the first, and very typical, line of thinking goes like this:

“I want to teach, and maybe even write but I don’t want to teach elementary school or even high school.  I would only want to teach at the collegiate level, if anything.  But then I would have to go back to school yet again and for how long?” 


[Do research online and find it takes, ummm, many years.]  

Holy @&*%^$ !  I’m totally screwed!  My goal to teach will never happen!  How can I ever go back to school and still work and pay my rent and eat something other than Spam.... not to mention I don’t want to write a dissertation on some obscure topic like the esoteric nature of medieval cheeses and their ingestive correlation to obtaining knighthood or ... whatever!”

Using this line of thinking, you would be looking at only one, very standard, way of teaching- in a classroom.  Major roadblock there.  But what other ways are there to teach?  And WHAT do you want to teach?  And to whom?  In what other settings besides the classroom could you teach?  Those are pretty important parts of the equation that you just might want to tackle before a full blown panic ensues.

You could begin by teaching in your arena of expertise.  Perhaps it's something non-academic but if it comes naturally to you and people need your knowledge or skill, who cares?  Then, gradually, build your knowledge in another expertise.  Take a class here and there that really benefits you.  Acquire some new "tools."  Research on your own.  Talk to people.  Take the time to go deeper into your new subject area while you still have some income flowing from your existing pool of knowledge.  Then, if you really want to go The Road Less Traveled (and blow MapQuest out of the water!) you could creatively mesh the two fields, offering something fresh and new to the public.  And there may be no need for traditional credentials because you have become the expert in your newly created field.

This may sound pie-in-the-sky-what-is-in-Katie's-coffee-as-she-writes-this-nonsense;  however, look out there and see what I'm talking about.  Look for the pioneers of services and products and programs and see that they created their own expertise by filling a need, then developed a following, then fostered demand and... voila!!!!  They published a series of books!

Easy?  No.  But nothing worth doing is.  And investing more creative capital upfront than monetary investment involves little to no debt and reaps unlimited rewards.  Just ask Highway Man...