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Turning a Personal Mission Inside Out

Welcome back to creative life fulfilling your creative purpose we just finished up with less than twenty one where we connected the dots between purpose and profit for some the students and the audience hopefully you're doing that at home is starting to make sense certainly gel we're now going to move into lesson twenty two which is true about turning a personal mission inside out before we do that we're actually going to meet a guest her name is julie hemingway and she is an artist who I worked with um who has a beautiful mission and it came from ah very heartfelt personal mission she's now going tio express through her art for others so is julie is julie up okay so there's julie hi julie so again I never meet these people I never get to see their faces I think I saw you and our google hangout too yeah then now again well julie welcome to creative life julie was watching my last creative life course and enrolled in the mentoring program and um julie had to do the same thing I made all...

you guys do and look at her painful times in her life right? Yes, yes I was crying in my car I thought about doing this call for my car just for old time's sake so julie used to say sneak she she used to sneak into her car and do our mentoring sessions on the phone yes, I's at work so I had the only quiet place was my car right? And you could be crying all of you. All right, so, julie, the name of this lesson is turning a personal mission inside out and I thought you were an excellent example of that because you had ah personal mission to help your son which came from a painful moment that you had with your son. And now that you've help solve that problem for yourself, your art is going to help solve that problem for for other folks. So I always tell everybody, julius share what you want to share don't share what you don't want to share it's not reality tv its transformational tv um but, uh can you two to whatever degree you want? Teo, can you tell us about that painful experience with your son? Well, my son, who is currently eleven years old, is autistic and um we've had difficulties often on but I think the his awareness of what he's dealing with came when me and him went to his therapist office one day and it was actually the first time that they had met and she asked him what jabbari, what would you like for me to help you with? And he told me he told her that he wanted her to help him be normal and this you know, just that the fact that I knew at that moment I was very aware that he was aware of his differences and it was also during a time during the summer where he was starting to notice that people were treating him differently kids weren't really talking to him, so you know, he was starting to become more self aware of his environment and how he was different. So if you notice, julie recalled a specific moment in time she didn't talk in a general way about her son she's recalled a specific moment in time and that's when the doctor ask your son what he wanted and your son said, I just want to be normal, yes, so it was a crystallizing moment for julie and one of the things that you told you shared with me, which actually then became julie's unique value proposition, which is so cool is on julie, and you could stop me if I'm wrong. But what I understood is that you used to write these he's kind of love letters or affirmations to your son telling him if you noticed if you noticed him being particularly good or particularly bright or critically special on a day julie would write her son a letter and she'd illustrated because she's an artist and so there were these really beautifully crafted um letters to her son, which she kind of took for granted right right a right yeah, it was just it was something from me to him you know he also is an artist and he loved you know pretty drawings and things like that so break so now let's look at the let's look at the pain right and look at the problem there's a lot of parents out there who want to express their love to their child and went that child to feel special and to feel affirmed and to be, you know, appreciated there's a lot of people who really want that for their children but they don't all possess julie's illustration skills or her you know, her mission so julie is in the process of building a business and can you describe a little bit about that? Well, all these letters actually turned out I have a book full of them so what I'm doing is I am creating prototypes right now so I'm still in the beginning stages but I'm creating prototypes of I guess you could call them more of a personalized baby book actually storybook to the child a storybook tears to your child and what I would do is I would take those moments that the parent talks to me about or maybe even take a particular you know, positive that they have done that they maybe one elaborate on and I would illustrate it and created into this book just for them to get to their kids so you khun you could go and buy uh some baby toys or you could do this study other things or you could do that right right like who doesn't want to affirm their child and this thing is going to be an heirloom it's going that child is going to keep that uh till their dying days that's a gift that's a huge huge gift to know the name of this lesson you're following along in the discovery journal is turning a personal mission inside out so I brought julianne because she had a personal mission toe love and affirm her son and to give him strength and encouragement this and she's got took it for granted until I noticed hey julie there's those stupid baby books that everyone has which people can go ahead and do right they're fine or they could commission julie at any point at any age and and and more than once right so maybe you commission julie when your child is five for maybe you commission then you maybe it's her sweet sixteen and you want to give her some more affirming guidance so you commissioner again so what's great about that model is julie has built into it repeat business right hey, so dooley I mean this has been this has been your still in the process of doing this I know you've been getting some commissions and you're working on your prototype so julie mentioned working on approach type so this is a brand new concept for juli although she's done it for her son she doesn't really have products to demonstrate to the marketplace so what she's doing and correct me if I'm wrong julie is that you're actually and you guys can all take this tip so she's approached people about build creating one of these books for their child and should be in real honest with him and saying, look, I need to build prototypes so that I can demonstrate my value proposition um she's choosing carefully the parents and if the parents want to buy it which we all hope they will they can but they're not under an obligation so it gives her an opportunity potentially to sell the prototype and gives her a meaningful opportunity to build a prototype that is actually what it would be like to commission julia for one of her books so do you see how that works so she's doing her basically she's doing research and development and she might be able to sell those prototypes if she chooses the parents who's got some money? Yeah, it was a grand your grandma you too grandma for a while there how is that going to cheat? Did she did she bite? She did actually she kind of disappeared for a little while they were because her son her grandson it was for a grandson her hands was really sick and he had fallen back ill again which is why I didn't hear from her for a while but I ran into her a couple weeks ago because we actually go to the same church and he's back healthy again and she told me you know I really want to do this so we're going toe meet up again yeah that's a fantastic now I mean what do you guys think? Is this a beautiful mission do you see how instance insult how inspire it is and she would have to make anything up should have to write any copy all she needs to do is tell the truth this is what I do and this is how I got this idea and um you know if you think you'd like tio do something for your child your grandchild your nephew your niece um you khun commission one of these heirloom pieces how do we for julie which your website because there might be people watching who who want to do this so you get your credit cards ready some hemingway studios dot com heavyweight studios dot com just send me an email on the contact form okay. All right. So julie, before we wrap up with your visit what I'm gonna ask you to do is you went through this process with me and you obviously learned a thing or two you learned something um what was I gonna ask you? What was that what was the biggest thing you learned in this process is the same process that we're doing in this course what was the biggest thing that you learned to trust the process that's the biggest thing that I learnt because it definitely was a process and I really thought the first couple of times that we met for the first few times that we met as I was bawling my eyes out I wondered what are we doing and why can't we just get to it but you know if we hadn't gone through that process I would not have found my personal legend so right and you know I mean it is scary I'm asking you to do something scary and vulnerable but I got your back okay I'm not doing this to torture people I'm doing this because I want artist to feel empowered and I want them to understand their value in this in the marketplace that's why I'm doing it so I'm glad you trust the process because I know you were struggling with it it's his house it was very hard okay and what's it always do three because I like three so too what's the second lesson big lesson that you learned through this process well I I learned that I have somethingto offer you know something about value yeah something of value to offer not just a decorative work and did you have that feeling before we started this process not at all I was flailing around I didn't know what I was doing so but now I have a direction so and what you have to offer I think is mighty powerful what do you guys think or there's a baby book from target because that but I don't think so this is so much better when god or what if your family all pitched in and did this for a child right like viewing audience there's an idea for you pitch in and get one of these all right so uh number three what's the third big lesson you learn or insight you gained as a result of this process it's okay for me to be my authentic self is not only okay this's only yes I think I had you read do you buy russell simmons right yes you did yeah loved it I mean so remember unique value proposition that's essentially what you have to create in order to compete in the marketplace so how are you going to get unique? Well the only way you're going to get unique is by doing you by being your unique self that's the only way so it's essential that's why the's this process is so personal so very personal right now so like julie before she started was this illustrator slash artist in the sea of competition no way to differentiate herself in a meaningful way right now look at her like it could be that but she's so genuine about it it's like nothing's manufactured shampoo to write copy just speaking from the heart pretty cool huh? That's what artists tio we actually this memory connecting with our humanity this is an example of what we did with john what we did with yoni what we did with cathy and what we've done with julie we're cutting and and krista it's all about kim connecting to our humanity really simple how we're going to do that wow julie so I'm very impressed I want to know what I want to know when grandma bites and hands you that credit card you'll be the first to know I'm gonna block about it I think it's an oss I gets an awesome business I think it's really awesome okay julie thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day and for being willing to share your beautiful mission and I'm so glad that you're doing it you're doing it I know you're gonna be successful thank you alright take care thank you jury great like do that or be an illustrator and submit and hope to get pit screw that screw it really this is like ten times more powerful ten times more I mean ten times a hundred times more powerful and more impactful I mean really really it's that it's thank you can't compete I'm sorry that's all there is to it that's what you gotta do all right so we're gonna go toe lesson twenty two so if you're following along in the discovery journal we're going to go into lesson twenty two and um we're gonna look here it's again we're trying to figure out what problem are we going to solve okay, so what problem did what problem is julie solving raise your hand if you know the answer or if you want to guess john what I'll just pick on you what problems she saw them um she's she's an illustrator yes, but what problems? She saw me because this is the part where all a lot of artists will like and I said about problem solving problems always about my beauty it's about this about this but aren't speaking to me yeah that's true but that does not help you build a sustainable creative enterprise you have to solve a problem so I'm I am I'm gonna debate this with anybody this is essential you have to get to this place so john what problem is she solving? I don't really know howto word it that's okay just get take your best stab at it she's solving the problem of parents not knowing the best way to express love I guess or well I mean don't parents struggle with that like relaying their heartfelt affection and relaying how they feel and it's like you know, also it's one thing to say it out loud and then that moment's gone you know, you forget about it to have it illustrated in a book which is in the form of an heirloom you're never going to forget it so you can impart really important lessons to that child or relay um really specific love and encouragement to that child because it's now in this beautiful physical form of art so that, like I compete with that, nothing compete with huge yeah, so is anyone else under have a insight into how julius solving a problem does that? Does this make sense this whole solving a problem thing? Yeah. She's creating a bridge for them. It's amazing. She is it's a beautiful, very bridge and so it's a very astute observation, felix, because her son is autistic. So, um, you know, a communication and, um, you know, emotional exchanges are a little more challenging for an art autistic child who has her son's diagnosis and it's a way for her to break through and at least for and also it's for herself too, right? So it's not just for the child's also for the parent is just is there a pubic for the parent to be able to relay this life lesson or this particular piece of affection so works for everybody kathy even if someone doesn't hire her doesn't have the means to hire her isn't in the position to hire her to do that I think she just in general just through what she does reminds parents how important giving those messages to your children are right? Well that's her mission yeah that's julie's mission so so that's almost like aside from her art that's which is what we were talking about, what we're always talking about this it's it's value above and beyond your art it's not just you and your enterprise in your exchange what what value above and beyond your writing what value above and beyond your photography what value above and beyond craft what value above and beyond mediumship and just the one to one exchange you know where what is it above and beyond so that's a beautiful demonstration and just think she's just lovely and I think, um she really did she did bawl her eyes out I have to tell you she really did which is mean she was doing her homework honestly she thank me later. Really? I know you're shocked at that she did she's like thank you so much that we did he didn't let me stop you just made me keep going working through all of this came out the other side with a totally different view of this problem that she thought she had it's like she gained acceptance and she her perception around it shifted dramatically all right, so um lesson twenty to sew again if you're trying to get at your mission it's really an understanding of what? What problem have you solved for yourself right and so then what problem can you solve further? So julie solved that problem for herself and now she's going to solve that for others john you solve the problem for yourself right so what problem have you saw for yourself? Um a sucked it change you change you yes, it was like the worst at it and I'm pretty good at it you could make it happen right? And you can inspire and help other people change. All right, jen so what problem have you saw for yourself? So my overarching lesson I've had to learn to really care for myself and love yourself love myself yeah right? Trust to trust myself and care for myself is carrying and loving didn't come from your family of origin you actually had to teach yourself how to do that and you are this is a huge problem. Yeah, this is a huge problem and it's a problem that last far beyond childhood take it too often to our graves so if you can teach other people how to do this in a very specific and unique way you've got yourself a revolution on your hands which is great so I know you have to work out some of the mechanics, but when we first started talking your mission looked very different and it was a lot more general and I think you're starting to hone in and the lens is starting to focus you feel that way um I feel much clear about my life lessons um the the the mission more more so, right? Yeah, one hundred percent I mean, I feel like I'm still fumbling through it right? To be honest so you know, and I know I'm making this point deliberately because I don't want you to feel if you're listening that you have to have all the answers and all that boxes checked wouldn't listen to what julie said trust the process julie did not arrive at that overnight ok, it took time and um some people are quicker to it in some people it takes time yeah so it's it's going to take whatever time it takes yeah I definitely am clear about what I stand for good and what my core values are so what is it that you stand for in one sentence can you say that? Do you have that articulated? Um yes really teo love trust and care for myself and as a result others will love trust and care for you yeah, because they'll see that in you and then you teach people how to treat you they respond to you in the way that you interact with yourself so I don't know maybe that's maybe that's permission I don't know but if you got some clarity so far so all right um again I'm goingto keep diving into this and we've felix you understand your purpose you understand if you understood it at a young age what your purpose wass um but now let's talk about your mission so if your purpose is your why right what do you what do you think your mission is my mission you don't have to read it and when you look at your conversation on doesn't have to be perfect my mission is to teach people and demonstrate to people how to tune into our spirit which is who we are into their own intuition intuition the same yeah same thing so what do you call it spirit what do you call it intuition you before divine to the divine whatever again whatever you want to call it so before this course wass that mission as clear no it wasn't theirs in the back of my mind right it was there but it wasn't the focus now it's folk it's the the focal point right so you khun guide your decisions you've got your priorities can he guided by this mission yes and that's a kind of clarifying it is opportunity right and then also people know um that unlike other psychic mediums who are a lot about themselves and their talent which is just fine so judgment on that um the way that you have an opportunity to be unique or different is that it's not just about your ability your mission is also to help other people access their ability to experience the same feelings and recognizing the signs great and to feel that love that we all want so you see how this is unfolding that like the jew guy is getting the habit how the dots are connecting okay and so um you know and it's also a number five here is I asked the question what contribution can you make so that's another this is another frame for this question around turning your personal mission inside out so what contribution is julie making two to the world or two families or to children or two parents he's teaching them how to express love is she is she selling illustrations I feel like she's leaving a legacy for people with their children right so she's helping she's doing both she's helping parents express themselves she's also leaving a legacy through this heirloom right but here's the big big thing that I'm trying to teach everyone she's not in the business of selling art anymore because selling art sucks it sucks you're not gonna make it it's not gonna work there are people with more talent than you than me that are going to outshine you. You can't compete on that there's too much fantastic photography fantastic illustration fantastic writing and there you're just not going to compete so you've got to create that now people will be insulted. Well, I'm fantastic. What are you talking about? Well, you're not because it's so subjective so even if you are incredibly talented, someone else might think somebody else is more talented so it's not enough to compete on you've got to create value above and beyond your art that solved a problem that serves some target market that's what? I'm that's where this whole course is driving at and it has to come from your core being your personal mission, which is the only way you're going to sustain the energy and focus to follow through on this because this stuff is hard. I wish I had an infographic that would represent this whole course but this is hard stuff I am not teaching a lightweight course this is hard work it's really painful at times, but I think if you asked anyone in the studio audience or any of these other artists if it was worth it, they would tell you it's worth it I'm telling you to take care of yourself don't do something you're gonna flip out or if you're feeling fragile, but if you I have got it and you do this work it's amazing, it makes huge, huge impact on your life all right? So you had your queen had your hand up for a second there, johns you remind me of something we were talking about about people who think talent is going to be the key to their success but talent is a multiplier on success and doing this work is actually the key well, thank you for making that point. Well, you made it just thought I'd remind you that you made it again and you made it more it's really it that's just exactly it this I'm not discounting talent I'm not saying that you should dismiss talent you obvious is kind of the minimum price of admission you have to have some level of talent but the basic orientation for artist is that this is the big elephant living room that you just just keep working on your you know, honing your craft and finding your voice and refining your skills and someone will come along and discover your fabulousness but that ain't gonna happen it's not gonna happen. So what you have to do is is this place in my opinion somebody else's somebody malice made different? No, I'm open to a challenge. I'm open to a differentiation of opinion but if we can teach you in art history lesson that proves this point and so that is the end of the segment which obviously feel very vigorous about lesson twenty two turning a personal mission inside out and next. Oops. Next up is less than twenty three. And we're going to delve more deeply into the value above and beyond the art. So thank you very much.