How Does the Online Idea Party Work?
You have a dream or a wish, and an obstacle to getting there. (If you don’t think you know your wish, work through my kick-starter and read this post. To learn why you must put logic aside to find your dream, read the following.)
The online Idea Party is here to help you – and the other fellow party goers – with your wishes and obstacles.
Voices from Success Teams and Idea Parties:
Having a team to report to and hearing what everybody did each week is very exciting. It’s kept me moving all year. In the past I made some good starts on my own, but found, every time, when the energy ran out, I ran out. Now it doesn’t run out.
Jade G.
Children’s Playroom Therapist, New York Hospital
I would do a painting a year, a sketch a year. If it was only me I know I would never do it. Having to tell you makes all the difference. It’s crazy why I didn’t do this years ago, it’s so easy all of a sudden.
Caroline R. Personnel Executive, Macy’s Dept Store
Post Your Wish and Your Obstacle Here!
And help your team mates out when you can. Use the Reply link to help, the form below the comments to add your own Wish and Obstacle.
(Your first comment below has to be approved, so it may not display instantly depending on the time of the day. Once your email address is approved you can post instantly. If you want your own profile photo to show up beside your comments, instead of the cute little design, upload your photo on Gravatar.com and give them an hour or so to make it happen.)
I have come on here after taking in some information from the various ways one can access Barbara’s work. I have known about her work for no more than a fortnight (if that) and my first feelings on comprehending what she was saying were of such familiarity.. like oh thats what those moments were, those recurring moments throughout my life that I either ignored, paid attention to then got side tracked, or mostly disregarded after thinking dont be silly you could never be THAT or do that , who are you fooling.. Now after being immersed in this website and video clips on U tube and audios on shows Barbara has been invited on to share her vision, the momentum is building up xcitment, hope its beautiful. Im on this journey now.
Yeah, she does that to people. She gives you permission to be yourself, accept yourself, enjoy your life, and then pushes you to pursue your dreams.
My wish for you is that you get to see her in person someday, and watch as she runs a live idea party. It’s nothing short of a miracle as she brings the energy of a room full of people, their ideas, and their connections together to focus on fulfilling one person’s dream after another.
Barbara Sher is a rare gem, beloved by millions.
Welcome to the club.
Thank you Jennifer, I so feel I am in the right place. I started to apply Barbara’s ideas along with others of my inspirational teachers that I’ve drawn wisdom from which was my goal since the beginning of this year. Things have turned around for me and continue to do so. When I read about and watched the video on the Hanging with Barbara membership I thought …I want that. I’ll have to figure out a way to finance it. (not easy being a mum of a 4 and 5yr old) Today I received a cheque £1121.00 in tax returns so I am getting a membership this week 🙂 I am working on a couple of projects (very early stages) and its the first time I have given myself the permission to just go ahead and not be stopped by whatever stopped me before.
Congrats Chinga,
The ‘club’ is a great group of people, very supportive and fun too!
Thank you Kris. At the moment I am focussing on getting a snack business up and running whilst taking care of my two young kids and working part time as a Carer in a nursing home. I would be making sandwiches and wraps to supply to the local business area at lunch time. I cant use my own kitchen to prepare the food as its too small and wont meet the required standards of the environmental health office. I am currently looking for kitchen facilities that I will only hire for a few hours say between 9-12 am. I am taking a test to get a Food and hygiene certificate qualification hich food handlers should have. I have had samples of the sandwich & wrap packaging sent and have picked the one I will use. The obstacle really is that I havent found the kitchen premises to do the food preparation.
My other project is to fine tune my other talent. I know as a child (as early as 6&7 years)I loved to read, I grew up in Africa in a poor household and any chance I got I would read any literature I found in the house, any information facinated. I also remember being naturally prone to being empathetic beyond my years. When young they always said I was ‘an old soul’ I’d be scolded for butting in on adult conversation and be told off for not acting my age? I felt things so deeply and had an innate understanding for situations which I could not explain. If I witnessed an unpleasant situation (which was the order of the day in my early years) I instinctively saw other perspectives? not sure how to explain it, like empathise with the pain behind someone lashing out or behaving unkindly.
Chinga, you might want to check with bakeries or donut shops. The time period you need is often their slow time.
And that “old soul” thing is a real character strength, the one called “perspective” here: http://www.viacharacter.org/www/en-us/viainstitute/classification.aspx. It’s not very common, and finding more ways to use it could make your life more satisfying. It’s also much needed by this world we live in.
I will check out at least two bakery shops today that I know of. Many thanks.
And about finding more ways to use that side of me,Webmaster, its interesting that you say that.
Please bear with me as this will be slightly long winded.
I listened to an archive show of Elese Coit who mentioned Barbara’s take (this is a very loose interpretation as I derived it) on life purpose when a caller to the show mused over what her life’s purpose is. Elese said words to the effect of ‘ you know when you get a subject that really gets your goat.. an issue or something you have to stop yourself from interrupting and saying something about because you are so mad and you want to correct someone. Usually something to do with some wrong you always felt you wanted to right from your early years. That could point you to your life purpose. Well the other day I walked past three ladies that were in deep conversation about something. As I passed them i caught part of a sentence one of them said which went like ” They are scum! the whole family are scum….” Immidiately I wanted to say wait a minute, firstly, how is it possible for a whole family to fit under one description just like that? And second of all what can another person know of each of their individual struggle and individual issues to justify describing them as such! i didnt interject, I carried on walking but, as it happens, I had been speaking to my sister in Africa for an hour the day before that incident, we were going over the way things were in our family as we were growing up. The problems, disagreements and subsequent irreparable rifts which resulted and the people the experience made us today. I had been thinking I wonder what I could say to any of my older siblings that would help them see the other’s point of view. Hearing that woman describe those people as scum made me stop and think, is that it? could I be a family therapist or mediator or something? where would I start, could I make a difference like that?
Chinga, you could start with a blog. That’s what I (Patty/Webmaster) did when I recognized this same strength and my fierce drive to help people with marriage issues. My blog is http://AssumeLove.com. If you start a blog and want to do a guest post on mine to link to yours, I’m game. My impression of most family/marriage therapy training is that it relies on negotiation and systems analysis much more than perspective. So I work at something else to support doing my marriage thing.
Hi Patty, what a fantastic tool your blog must be to let you use your gift in enriching way, both for yourself and the readers. I was hooked ! there is so much valuable info (of interest to me incidentally).
Your idea appeals to me so much, I’d love to do this, I have always had such an appreciation for writing essays in primary & secondary school. I happily put effort to communicate through writing the exact thought or point of view in my mind. I loved nothing else more than reading it back and knowing I’d said (written) just what I meant. I took English Literature studies and Shona (a local language) for my A levels along with History all in which I was required to express my opinions in essays, I was in heaven! Then I took a College course in something quite the opposite where none of those skills were essential, I recently revived that experience when I took an Access course in 2010 20years later! Writing essays again for a whole year felt so good 🙂 Basically a blog is ideal for me. Now though, the self doubt is coming up already.. I’m not sure if anyone would want to read it, I dont know if I have enough experience in the subject, I know what I think about aspects of the subjects but my own life experience with family issues/relations is not resoved in the least, wouldnt I come across as a fraud giving advice and opinions when I havent come out the other side of it? How would I even start a blog, I’m not computer savvy (at all) wouldnt this project divert me from my Snack Business which is in its infancy…
I feel myself slightly cowering as I am totally intimidated by the fineness of your own blog..
No cowering, Chinga. The great thing about launching a blog is that almost no one will read it for a while. And by the time they do, they will see your practiced posts first. Just write from your heart to start, beginning with overhearing the two women talking and how it made you feel, what you wanted to say to them.
Where to start if you don’t want to get sucked into “perfecting” something imperfectable: Blogger.com. It will cost you nothing, and you can make all your setup choices in 15 minutes.
Others will tell you of the greater flexibility of WordPress. With that come more choices, more to learn, more that can go wrong. As someone new to websites with a business to launch, use it only if you have a friend who wants to manage your blog for you. The words are the important part.
Then you just start writing. And as you go about your day, you make notes of things that happen or things you recall that you want to write about.
When you have 7 or 8 posts online and you’re ready for readers, ask folks in Hanging Out to help spread the word.
You can mention your lunch service often as a backdrop for your stories. Let your readers follow along as you launch, talking about how your family supports you or fears for your security and how you handle that. Talk about your lunch customers and their families down the road. You could even create a category of posts on your blog for weekly lunch specials.
Make sure your city or neighborhood is mentioned, along with words like sandwich or lunch delivery, so people find your blog when using search engines to look for lunch, too. And tell them in the weekly specials’ posts how to contact or find you for food.
And when you have ten or more posts on your blog, send me a comment on mine (or here), and we’ll get you set up with a guest post that will link to your blog.
And whenever you have to solve your own problems with your family, recognize it as your post-graduate education, a chance to learn more to help others. Your value to your readers comes from the fact that you know enough to help them but you still deeply feel the pain of not knowing sometimes and can therefore relate to them. Once you stop facing new family problems, you stop learning what they need you to explain to them.
Hi Patty, wow. So this is what it feels like to have this quality of assistance. I am so grateful for how generous you are being. Somewhere in the back of my mind I’m thinking.. I got to do it now, there is no getting out of it.. 🙂 the wierdly safe place of -well cant do it beacause a,b,c,..what about this or that or that is diminishing. A growing part is taking over, one of yes this is right, this is me. There is nothing that doesnt make me feel good about taking this on. I almost feel like I cant let you down now you’ve opened the door so wide. Honestly,its really that I kinda dont want to let myself down, the opportunity is here.
thats funny about the typos Kris
Yes my experience here has propelled me torward doing something and to believe that there will actually be results. I was reading the exchanges on here to take notes and decide which to do first etc. I see I have gushed quite a bit about the effect of the Idea party treatment. It was unexpected and truly heartening and so I wrote as I felt. I look forward to being of useful service in one way or the other to the other members here.
So.. I went onto blogger.com to start this blog of mine. I havent really come up with name that I like . Is there a way to put in enough information so I am able to create a blog and go ahead and start writing entries whilst I figure out a name I like? I have approached the bakery and cake shops in my area about sharing kitchen facilities for my business but they all offer snacky eats which they prsepare on the day (so not very keen on sharing a kitchen the’ll be using. I also approached the churches and community centres about hiring their kitchens in the mornings but they only use the facilities for the community/charity free of charge. Still looking for out of the box ideas to get around this barrier. I have even asked some fish and chip shops who are mostly busy at night but they too use their kitchens for lunch preparations. Ive asked for local gyms if I could hire their kitchens as I figured they wont use them that much, no joy.
Oh, I’m considering a domain name now, I had a quick look at blogger.com will let you know what I come up with
Congrats Chinga, and Patty is a great person to learn from, she had a real gift for helping people ‘see’ and ‘navigate’ their path. I have found a lot of the exercises in wishcraft.com tremendously helpful in getting ‘unstuck’ with things. The flow charts, writing big lists of ‘why’ something CAN’T be done…maybe that will be helpful to you. Barbara is also having an online event about resistance that you may want to consider joining in on conta.cc/13lLG4L
Kind regards, Kris
that was Patty HAS! I get special awards for typos here…one of my specialties!
Here’s the dream of my life (besides going to Paris/Madrid/Barcelona): I want to get a book published. I’m creating a painting and drawing a day for 365 days on my blog, http://www.livedrawpaint.blogspot.com. I’ve completed 173 days so far–just shy of 6 months. I want to get recognized for my illustrations and writing and I’m not sure how to get the right person to see it. I would love to work as an illustrator–I want to follow in the footsteps of Roz Chast, Maira Kalman, and Wendy McNaughton?! (I have already illustrated the cover of my friend’s self-published book (available on amazon) and will have one of my illustrations featured in a book of quotes by Lesley Riley in October.) I’m just stymied on how to get to the next step.
Jill-
Have you tried using the backward flow chart like Barbara describes in wishcraft.com?
Hello Kris–
Thank you very much for your suggestion. I will check it out.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
Jill Hejl
http://www.livedrawpaint.blogspot.com
Dear Sue,
Congrats on your dedication to helping your son. We’ve been through similar circumstances and I can relate.
I would love to hear your music, and would be happy to create a CD for you.We can figure out some way for you to give me a hand with something later.
Do you have MP3 files of it or? feel free to email me at media@wellnesstalkradiodotcom
Dear Kris,
Thank you for your quick and kind reply.
Producing a CD is quite the undertaking with renting of studios, hiring Musicians, licensing songs et al. I will write you at the email address you sent for me so that I can tell you a bit more of my plans and send you some samples of my voice.
Warm regards,
Sue
Dear Sue,
Yes, it is! You have a beautiful voice.
There are options for good quality recordings that don’t cost a bizillion dollars these days.
Best wishes,
Kris
I have been a Singer for the past 20 years and sang professionally and semi-professionally for just as long.
My dearest wish is to make a CD.
Obstacle? I have no money….Zilch!
For the last several years I have been the primary caregiver to my severely autistic Step-Son. We have had to move to a remote area where he could manage his surroundings. I have been isolated for a long time, and have not had any gigs for a long time. My husband took a low paying job so that his time would be more flexible to help his child. My family lives in a different country. I have no friends. There are no surrounding creative areas. Plus we have two more young children to support.
After several years of fight and struggle we have finally gotten the care that my Step-Son so much deserves and he will be going to a fine boarding school with an incredible staff. This means that we can move somewhere where I can finally start singing again.
At this time all creative venues, churches, libraries, restaurants, clubs, expect you to have a professional CD.
Up to five years ago you could audition, or submit a decent demo, now they want a professional full length CD as they are incredibly easy to make….They just cost money!
I get the feeling that people suspect your talent now if you don’t have a CD.
Crowdfunding has crossed my mind but I dry heave at the thought of asking for money, plus I don’t really know anybody.
Clueless right about now…
Any amazing suggestions please?
Thanks 🙂 I
Hi Sue–
It seems a lot of people have found success by posting a video of themselves singing/playing music on YouTube. I have read about several groups and individual people who have been discovered in this way. Please forgive the suggestion if you’ve already tried this route.
Jill Hejl
jillhejl@comcast.net
Hiya Jill!….my sister’s name is Jill 🙂
Your Art is cool, fun, and terrific, and you are an interesting Writer too. You might want to write your own and book and illustrate it too 🙂
I sure have put vids on youtube,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr-kZcl3TTk&list=PLAF7DEC43DD93EF5A
but just like in real life only a few get big successes on YT and get contracts and stuff like that…That being said, I really am an independent bird and would like to produce a CD on my own. Most people get loans from family and stuff but everyone is having such a hard time now in the world moneywise…I have facebook “friends’ but the ones I know who would give are struggling artists like myself and the others I don’t know well enough…Some people thrive on crowdfunding but geez I would be too shy….I can sing for a thousand people but not good at asking for funding…Go figure…
I wish you the best luck ever because you deserve it!
Thank you very much, Sue, for your compliments on my art and well wishes. I would totally want to get my 365 day project published and have several ideas for children’s books in the works.
I also happen to tutor Spanish. The father of my favorite student, Morgan, has produced his own CDs. He lives in Chicago, and I just sent him a message on facebook regarding your wish to get a CD produced as well as the link of your singing on youtube. By the way, you are a phenomenal singer–so melodic and expressive! I watched it twice, I enjoyed it so! You should be in the big time, sista! I asked Stephen if you might have suggestions for you and also if he would be interested in maybe producing something for you. I do not know for sure if he does production for others, but I didn’t think it would hurt to ask…and also, you may want to be the sole producer. Anyway, I think he may have put 2 CDs of his own out already. I will keep you posted. (-: If you want, please friend me on facebook: Jill Hejl. That might be an easier way to keep in touch, but if you prefer not to, no problem at all. (-:
O.k., we’ll see what happens next! And if you ever need someone to do your CD cover work, keep me in mind. (-;
Good luck,
Jill Hejl
http://www.livedrawpaint.blogspot.com
Hey there Jill….Thanks for your sweet compliment and suggestions….Will be happy to meet you on facebook!
I want to open my own cash only medical practice. My obstacle, need to raise $120,000 in 5 years.
Ben-
Have you thought about opening a concierge practice? I set that up for a Dr. friend once. It’s based on a membership program model.That would give you some ‘steady’ income while you build your cash practice.
Or how about going in with another Dr. in an already established practice?
Maybe even a crowdfunding campaign? You could offer some kind of interesting offer for patients. There is such a need for good Dr.s that will offer alternative care for an affordable fee.
Sorry, just saw this today, thank you Kris!
Your welcome Ben!
In the USA, you can look up the Small Business Administration & get free advice & mentoring from retired business owners in your area.
If you’re a member of LinkedIn, you can search for people who do what you want to do & ask for an informational interview by phone.
Finally, use hash tag searches with your interests (#keyword) on Twitter to find like minded people & network.
Or join Barbara’s Club / Hanging Out or a Success Team. Great folks to cheer you on & brainstorm with you.
I am an entrepreneurial to my core. I will write an idea down/explain it and I would be so excited, others are just as excited. Then I would get stuck on how to start it and I would lose the excitement. I wish I could get started and see it through.
Shenise,
I do the same thing. What I’m finding is that the key is to set up ‘structures’ so that you get started and stay on track.
ie- my radio show airs every week so I HAVE to get that done, despite all of the other good ideas! (:
Maybe you could coach people about your/their ideas?
Have you read Barbara’s books, they will help you! Lately I write down the idea and do not pursue it unless I’ve done at least a day of research and waited for a few days to see if it is still interesting after that. The long range planning stuff that you can find in wishcraft is extremely helpful. free online here http://wishcraft.com/
If you can do Barbara’s membership club- Hanging Out with Barbara Sher- do it! Great accountability there, and super nice people. Also, if you want to join a group of people online and talk with Barbara I’m setting up this event. (yes, ANOTHER idea!) conta.cc/13lLG4L
Maybe you could post your list of ideas here. Would love to see it!
A Better link to ‘Ask Barbara’ http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ldmkaomab&oeidk=a07e7lgmrq6d8285447
Some good crowdfunding info in case your looking for a way to fund your ‘wishes.’
http://nibletz.com/2013/06/09/7-key-elements-successful-crowdfunding-campaign/
Eric,
Hopefully you can join us for this upcoming seminar that Barbara’s doing on resistance!
http://youtu.be/Ceg0j_rh80g
Also, meet up is a great place to find ‘like minded entrepreneur’ types.
Congrats on ending ‘the isolation!’
i’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit and am just now overcoming fear of success obstacles in my life and the isolation that kept me paralyzed. i would very much like to network with others either as an idea party or whatever else you suggest to break through the lack of faith in myself and the isolation and pursue my goals. please advise.
Hi Eric!
Congratulations on all you’ve done to bust through those obstacles and out of that isolation. What are your goals and big dreams? Looking forward to hearing more about the exciting things about to happen in your life and wish you all the best.
Jean