Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

Alyson Stanfield, author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio, is an art business coach who offers all kinds of great resources for artists. Lucky for me, she also happens to live in beautiful Colorado.

I’ve purchased a variety of audios she has produced and always walk away with some very good information.

So whether you are an artist or secretly dream of being one, check this out.

She is currently having a sale, just until July 16th, on several audios.

Just to list a few:

Get an artist Web site that really sells your art

Sell your expertise in an e-book

So, you’d like to see your art published in magazines?

BOOST Your Productivity

Clear Out Your Inbox Once and For All

5 conversations with 4 successful, full-time artists. Hear how they do it!

I’m currently re-doing my jewelry and art website so I am getting the audio about artist web sites.

So, click here to check out the audios take advantage of her close-out summer sale audios before they are gone for good!

I’ve been dealing with clutter and information overload this week.  I’ve written some articles which I’ll be sharing with you soon.

As I have been going through the piles of information, business products I’ve purchased, books with intriguing titles, etc. there is one thing that stands out.

Some of the information sits collecting dust and I’ve never even used it.  There are the things that lured me in with the promise of the magic bullet.

But the programs and information that I have actively participated in have been very valuable with things I refer back to again and again.

I consider those an investment in myself, in my growth, in my businesses, and in discovering better ways to enjoy life.

Let’s face it; we all spend time money on things that don’t add any value to our lives.

After you spend money on the necessities, there is a lot more room for making choices than you think.

When you invest in yourself, you’ll reap the long term rewards long after the time or money is spent.

Investing time and money in your potential and making decisions based on what is important to you, and what bring you happiness, not just for the moment but for the future is the best investment you’ll ever make.

Barbara Winter wrote that she often gets emails about how people are quick to say they can’t afford to do something that would help them to go in the direction of their dreams or just be a life affirming experience.

In her Feb 2010 blog post at http://www.joyfullyjobless.com, she writes about a self employed friend who needed extra cash that put an ad in Craigs list to pet sit and not long after earned over $1, 000.

“What successful goal setters know is that the process goes something like this: focus on a goal, brainstorm obvious and crazy ways to make it happen, start taking action.”

So don’t wait to invest in your happiness.  Get creative and figure out a way to make it happen.

P.S. If you are ready to spend some time and attention on what you really want and what makes you happy, contact me about the Success Circle Program…..it’s about to start  and I just have a couple spots left!

I have recently starting using Springpad and I love it!  Since I have online businesses and do a lot of computer work, I am constantly finding resources, websites, and items I would like to save.

Well, my old method was to print things out.  And depending on what it is, I still do.  But I was getting buried in paperwork and then I had to file it!  More work, more time, and more paper!

With Springpad, I can bookmark a site, or a page, or clip something, and save it online.  I especially like that I can easily add tags so I can search or find it later.

Let me give you a couple of examples of how I use it.  I might be working on a project, and come across a site I would like to explore later…because I’m trying to focus on the project at hand!….I can “spring it” and add appropriate tags and a description if I need it.

I have used it for creativity and time management sites, cool artists, craft or home projects, recipes, website designs I like to help me re-design my jewelry site, virtual assistants or affiliate partners, research for articles, and lots more.

If you are planning a trip, you may want to save several hotel sites, or siteseeing activity sites, restaurants, etc. that you can reference later without writing down all the information or printing it out.

SpringPad also has specific folders for books, recipes, wine, music, movies, businesses, contacts, etc. if you want to use those.

They have a button that you can drag to your toolbar that makes it really easy to just click and add the page or site you want to save.

Keep Track of Your Lists

I haven’t used this feature yet but you can also create lists such as shopping lists, task lists, or checklists.

Add Events, Coordinate with Google Calendar, and Set Alarms

You can add appointments, events, or set an alarm.

You can access your information from anywhere online.  You can send other people your finds by email.  You have an option on each entry to make it public or private.

You can access your bookmarks and lists from your mobile phone.  And there is an IPhone app for it.

I may have to move into the 21st century and get an IPhone or Blackberry.

I haven’t even begun to explore all it’s uses but what I’m using so far is great.

If you have other ideas for how to use Springpad or use other services that you really like, please add a comment and share your experience.