If you’re not showing up every day, how can you expect your dream to?

By Andrea Schroeder / April 21, 2014 / daily practice

So here I am, showing up with my art journal for my creative dream practice this morning, even though I didn’t want to.? Even though doubt built a stronghold in my stomach overnight.? Even though I’m tired.? Even though I’m not sure what my next move is.

My dream is a radiant ball of light.

My doubt is a rough block of concrete.

I’m giving them both space in my art journal.

Exploring possibilities.

Doing my best to ground myself in my truth.

Last week, my Daily Practice was a bliss-generator.

This week it’s a container that is keeping me from falling.

Because I stayed in it last week, this week it can hold me.

Daily Practice matters so much for dream-growing.

It’s like your life-line to your dream.? If you’re not showing up, how can you expect your dream to?

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If you’re not showing up every day, how can you expect your dream to? Read More »

Update #21: Daily practice is ridiculously bliss-making.

By Andrea Schroeder / April 18, 2014

I set a big goal for my business for 2014: to welcome 800 dreamers into my Creative Dream Circle. And to do this not by getting super pushy about selling – but to do this with heart and soul and creativity and joy and LOVE.

(you can read my original post about this here)

At this point though, it?s less about the numbers and more about growing my capacity to serve dreamers everywhere in bringing their dreams to life.

In support of this goal, I am writing weekly updates on Fridays, for all of 2014. This is where I’ll share the story of all the ups and downs of bringing a big dream to life.

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I am happy.? Very very happy.

Give Your Dream Wings really changed things for me. It created a more comfortable space for me to be, inside my business because I can trust that new people will get a warm welcome and thorough introduction to me through this free course.

And it means I can talk on my blog about how I live with my dreams in a different way.? The practice I teach in Give Your Dream Wings is the start of the practice I do every day.? I bring a lot more into it from what I teach in the Circle, but the basic principle is the same so I feel more free to talk about that now that I am explaining it in detail in this course.

I’m not sure I can explain that part in words, but energetically it shifted something in me that feels amazing to be shifted.

Plus, new members have been steadily joining the Creative Dream Circle.? The free course really is the perfect introduction to my work for people who want to work with me to make their dreams real.? It helps them feel more safe & sure about choosing to join if they enjoy my free course.

And I’m making inspiration cards every day in preparation for next month’s Let’s Make Inspiration Cards Together class.

Inspiration Cards as a daily practice is ridiculously bliss-making.

Really looking forward to sharing the magic of this with my Circle members.

Not just the fun of collaging and painting and glittering, but the magics of diving deep into new worlds of inspiration and finding new ways to connect with the truth that what you need is always accessible to you – you’re swimming in it.

The past 2 weeks have been a little chaotic in the dream loft with construction workers doing some finishing/fixing – nothing major, but furniture had to be moved and things got dusty and it’s really nice to have that stuff done and have an air of peaceful spaciousness return to my space.

Basically, I’m feeling on top of the world.

I’m remembering how making a deep commitment to a dream opens up the pathway for its fulfillment.? And how there are challenges but the challenges are short and small and the journey and long and deep.? As long as you are committed for the long run you’ll get there.? And I am committed for the long run.

Update #21: Daily practice is ridiculously bliss-making. Read More »

Update 21: Growth Spurt

By Andrea Schroeder / April 11, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, Manifest Your Dream Life

(you can read my original post about this here)

At this point though, it?s less about the numbers and more about growing my capacity to serve dreamers everywhere in bringing their dreams to life.

In support of this goal, I am writing weekly updates on Fridays, for all of 2014. This is where I’ll share the story of all the ups and downs of bringing a big dream to life.

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A lot of my update posts have been about giving my dream space to quietly marinate.? Some weeks I feel kind of ridiculous providing an update when there is really nothing concrete to report on.

But that’s kind of the point.? This is how dreams grow: there are looooong quiet periods in between growth spurts.

But we compare our long quiet periods with other people’s growth spurts – only because the growth spurts are all we see.? And we feel frustrated and defeated when it looks like its easier for everyone else.

That’s part of what I wanted to address in writing these updates – to share the ACTUAL process, including all of the quiet periods.

So this week is a growth spurt week.

And I am really happy about this.

I updated my website.? I am 100% in love with this.

I launched my new free E-Course: Give Your Dream Wings.? There are over 4,300 participants.

Everything I have been doing since December, in terms of exploring what’s going on in my inner relationship with my goal and looking at how I want to grow my business, has culminated in this.

I feel like I have created the perfect welcome sign.

Welcome to the world of the Creative Dream Incubator.? Let’s do this.

Give Your Dream Wings is amazing.? I feel so happy to have this as the front door to my business – a warm welcome.? Instead of me saying “Hello, I believe in you” now I am saying “Hello, I believe in you… here let me show you, step by step, where to find the magic.”

This shifts the energy, big time.

And that is all the update I have energy for right now!? This week really wiped me out, in a very good way.

Update 21: Growth Spurt Read More »

On Being Afraid And Doing It Anyway

By Andrea Schroeder / April 9, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, Manifest Your Dream Life

Yesterday I hosted by first blog hop.? It was totally rad.

It was also totally outside of my comfort zone.

I am seriously introverted.? And seriously HSP.? Just the volume of emails needed to pull off something like that was/is outside of my comfort zone.? Nevermind all the other things that scared me about it.

I felt overwhelmed at the thought of it.? I also felt inspired and sure.

There is this thing in the Creative Dream Circle called the Crazy Smart Wisdom Council.

When the right thing for you is outside of your comfort zone (which is where most, if not all, dreams live) – you will tend to try to talk yourself out of it because who wants to be uncomfortable?? The beauty of having a Crazy Smart Wisdom Council is that it roots you back into your truth.

Not the small truths: I’m scared. I’m unsure. I don’t have time.? The Big Truth: When I both LISTEN and ACT ON my intuitive wisdom, anything is possible.

Yes, it’s scary.? Yes, I will probably do it wrong.? Yes, I will feel overwhelmed.? Yes, it would be much more comfortable to just not do this.? Yes, I know this is my right next move.

It’s NOT about steamrolling over your fear.

That is a bad idea, always.? “Leap and the net will appear” is bullshit.

Steamrolling over your feelings is really different from sitting in the discomfort and being willing to be vulnerable in service to your dreams.

When I was willing to be vulnerable in service to my dreams:

I asked for help even though just the thought of asking for help makes me uncomfortable. I reached out to other bloggers and asked them to offer their time, talent & energy in support of my project.
I moved forward even though I was sure I was going to do it wrong.? I have met SO MANY amazing talented bloggers – hundreds of them.? I couldn’t ask everyone I wanted to ask.? I was afraid of asking the wrong people, of other people feeling left out or pissed off, of everyone saying no.
I facilitated something really beautiful.? There was a lot of magic in this blog hop, in sharing people’s honest heartfelt stories of how they nurture their dreams.? It inspired people all over the world.? It introduced people to interesting & amazing new bloggers.? And it got attention for my new free course.

I’m so glad I did this.

On Being Afraid And Doing It Anyway Read More »

Give Your Dream Wings Blog Hop

By Andrea Schroeder / April 8, 2014 / Manifest Your Dream Life

Today I’ve got some pretty ding dang BIG news for you: a new (free!) course that shows you how to nurture, support and grow your dream… in only 10 minutes a day.? It’s called Give Your Dream Wings.

I’m celebrating with a blog hop.

The Give Your Dream Wings Blog Hop is a peek inside the process of how inspiring people make the magic happen. We?ve got some of the internet?s most inspiring bloggers sharing how they give their dreams wings ? what they do that supports, nurtures and encourages their tender dreams to come to life.

Here they are….

Amanda Fall, Persistent Green & Sprout Magazine: Love or Fear?

Amy Goetz, Amy Creates Stuff: Dreaming While Under Construction

Angel Sullivan, Bringing Soul to Solo-Preneur: Giving My Dream Wings

Barbara Martin, Barbara Martin Art: Growing Creative Dreams

Connie Hozvicka, Dirty Footprints Studio: Big Dreams, Small Packages

Effy Wild, Effy Wild Love & Glitter: Give Your Dream Wings

Gretchen Miller, Creativity in Motion: Giving Your Dream Wings Through Creative Practice

Hali Karla, Hali Karla Arts: Give Your Dream Wings {[Hop-Flap-Fly}

Jamie Ridler, Jamie Ridler Studios: Giving Your Dream Wings, One Feather At A Time

Jane Cunningham, Numinous Jane: Furnishing My Dreams With Wings And Other Daedalus Like Activities…

Jo Anna Rothman, Conjurer of Electric Creative Wholeness: Magic Middle

Kylie Bellard, Effervescence: My Recipe For Dream Fulfillment

Laurel Bleadon-Maffei, Illuminating Souls: 5 Tips For When Your Dreams Feel Too Big & Fear Tries To Talk You Out Of Your Destiny

Lisa Sorona Beam, The Adventures of a Creative Entrepreneur: Creative Dream Visual Journal

Liv Lane, Human Sparkler: The Big Reveal: My New Dream

Liz Lamoreux, Be Present Be Here: On Living Dreams Into Reality

Max Daniels, Better Your Life: Keep Calm And Ask For More. And Then Some.

Shannon Wilkinson, Perception Studios: How I Give My Dream Wings

Tamara Laporte, Willowing Arts: Giving Your Dream Wings

Tara Leaver, Art, Words and Creative Encouragement: The Simple Way To Bring Your Dream To Life

Victoria Brouhard, The Practical Art Of Letting Your Soul Lead The Way: How to Come Back to Your Dream After Heartbreak

Violette Clark, Violette’s Creative Juice: Give Your Creative Dream Wings

If you’re a pinner, you can find all of these posts on the Give Your Dream Wings Board.

Let’s give YOUR dream WINGS.

Living with your dreams is about living your truth: shining as the bright star you are, open hearted, deeply connected and ridiculously inspired.

Give Your Dream Wings is a FREE 10 day e-course. It’s where I’ll show you how to, well, give your dream wings. Like, right now. In ten minutes a day, for zero dollars.

You’ll get a lesson every day for 10 days, delivered via email.

Once you get to the end of this course, you’ll have a simple but magically profound technique for accessing your genius, nurturing your dream and making the MAGIC happen, in 10 only minutes a day.

What you’ll need:

A computer with internet access for receiving emails and watching videos.
A journal (or a bunch of sheets of paper) and a pen (I’m pretty sure it will work better if you use glitter pens, but that’s up to you).
10 minutes/day that you can devote to this.

You do NOT need to already know what your dream is, or believe that it’s possible for you to have what you want. Just give this a try and see what happens!

Ready? Let’s do this.

Once you’re signed up, you’re also going to get my inspiration-filled weekly emails with links to my latest videos, updates about what’s happening inside the Creative Dream Incubator and other treats. Of course, you will be free to unsubscribe from the emails at any time, with a simple click of a button.

Give Your Dream Wings Blog Hop Read More »

Update #20: Finding Magic In The Places Where Things Overlap

By Andrea Schroeder / April 4, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, intention, Manifest Your Dream Life

(you can read my original post about this here)

At this point though, it?s less about the numbers and more about growing my capacity to serve dreamers everywhere in bringing their dreams to life.

In support of this goal, I am writing weekly updates on Fridays, for all of 2014. This is where I’ll share the story of all the ups and downs of bringing a big dream to life.

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

So yesterday Creative With Money started inside the Creative Dream Circle.

Not to be all Pollyanna-y about it, but I got nowhere near my goal for registrations for this course and I am completely happy with that.? Some really awesome people signed up and it seems ridiculous to be sad that more people did not sign up.

Unconscious money stuff is the main thing that holds people back from living the life they want to be living, so offering this class to help with that is important.

But this course is a healing – not the kind of thing you just jump into, the timing needs to be right.

So when people were not tripping over each other to sign up for it, I was not thinking that something is wrong with my work or with me or that maybe this is the beginning of the end.? I was thinking that the timing isn’t right and it didn’t feel like a big deal.

This is new for me, to not have the worrymonster jump up and try to take over, and I like it very very very very very very much.

TRUST. STABILITY. BLISS.

In last week’s update I mentioned how not meeting my goal this year would not be such a huge problem.? All it would meant is that I would keep working with people one-on-one.

I thought about that a lot this week.

The thing is, I LOVE working with people one-on-one, there is a lot of magic in those deep dives. And yet, those deep dives need a LOT of energy and I want to free up more of my energy for new, unknown projects.

But a part of me is all… but I love working with people in this way.? And I can feel that part of me kind of fighting me on my goal.? Of course – that energy creates a stuck!

Even though sometimes I resist this process, when I give all parts of me the space they need to express what they want, instead of trying to bulldoze through to “meet my goal”, magic happens in the places where everything overlaps.

Last last year, when I re-structured the Circle and lowered the price to $100/year, my idea was that as the Circle grew, I would add small group coaching circles that would be available to Circle members only – so they’d have a private space inside the Circle to connect with each other outside of our calls.? So for those times when people need it, really in-depth Creative Dream Support would be there.

So remembering that idea kind of solves everything, group coaching circles are something I really do want to be doing.

I’m happy about that.

And last week I talked about exploring all the things about business that I do not want to do, and finding the places where the essence of those things overlaps with the essence of what I want to bring to the world.

I made some progress on that and am finding all sorts of things I can do for my business that I feel happy and delighted to do.

Also, I’m working on a Big New Thing which I’ll share next week which I am so excited about I can hardly think straight.

Overall – on the outside my dream seems to be moving verrrrrrrrry slowly.? But on the inside it’s 100% amazeballs.? I am so happy about where I am with this.

Update #20: Finding Magic In The Places Where Things Overlap Read More »

Wheeeeee!

By Andrea Schroeder / April 3, 2014 / healing, money

The Creative with Money e-course starts today.? (There is no end date, since this is an adventure of healing & possibility – everyone is going to work through it in the timing that works for them.)

I know exploring money can feel scary/boring/superficial/sad and it’s natural to want to not look at it.

But not looking at it is not helping you.? You know that.

And healing money stucks is absolutely liberating!? Healing money stucks fertilizes your dreams and makes them grow like crazy.

The Creative with Money class is happening inside the Creative Dream Circle.? So when you sign up – you get a whole year of follow-up support.? With the tools and resources you’ll get in the Circle, one year from today you could be living inside a miracle, which is how I feel about my life right now and let me tell you – it’s the best thing ever.

The Creative Dream Circle is positively oozing with warmth and love and healing and possibility and support and creativity.? All the things that make exploring money easier and more interesting and more fun.

I hope you’ll join us today.

Wheeeeee! Read More »

Grief & Magic.

By Andrea Schroeder / April 2, 2014 / healing, money

grandma — My grandparents: My grandmother made these giant loaves of bread every year for Thanksgiving, to show what she was grateful for.

Yesterday it was four years since my grandmother died.? My mom posted some photos on Facebook and I was all ” four years, has it been that long” and “no way it’s been four whole years already” at the same time.

It’s really hard to measure missing someone in years.

I thought back to four years ago, and how devastated I was.? My grandmother was 89 and in excellent health.? She was independent and creative.? She was living a full life and we were planning a big bash for her 90th.? Her death was very sudden.

I know everybody says this after people are gone, but she really was the best person ever.

And I was sad for me for losing her, but I was also sad for the world for losing her.

I was lucky enough to grow up with all four of my grandparents, and she was the last one I lost.? It changed things for me in a way I did not understand at the time.

It was my grandmother’s death that planted the seeds for me to leave my cushy office job and set out to live my life more fully on my own terms.

At that point I was already leading my own creativity workshops, doing spiritual healing & counseling and leading healing and meditation circles – all while working at my day job.? By then I had worked my way down to 4 days/week and was absolutely blissed out to have the opportunity to be doing what I wanted to do, even though I wasn’t able to do it full time.

At that time, I didn’t think I would EVER do my creativespiritual work as my full time gig.

But after my grandmother died it felt like something changed.

Frankly, it felt like time to grow up.? Which maybe makes sense – I was about to turn 36.

Though she was not the first person I have lost, her death really shook me up and reminded me of how precious life is and not to waste any of it.

And that happiness I was feeling about “only” working 4 days a week so I could spend 3 days devoted to my creative and spiritual adventures started to turn to annoyance.

It was only three months later that I moved down to 3 days a week at my job, and let my boss know that I would be leaving by the end of the year.

No one believed me.

It seemed to unlikely that someone would give up the security of a job with a generous pension and benefits package to strike out on their own to teach people about the magic of glitter and positive thinking (which is how my co-workers described my early workshops).

But I was determined. Not because I wanted to build a big business or become rich or internet-famous, but because I wanted to live my real life.

I realised that life was too precious to spend it doing anything other than what feels TRUE for me.? And I liked my job, but I couldn’t say that it felt TRUE, down to the depths of my being, for me to spend my days doing that work.

No matter how uncertain life as an entrepreneur is, it feels TRUE.

So yesterday I was taking that in.

How much has changed.? How much I have changed.? How I feel about my life today.

Yesterday I wasn’t feeling super-great.? So I was taking it easy.? Drawing mandalas, re-arranging my work schedule to suit my energy, extra meditation, lavender tea lattes.

Four years ago, if I wasn’t feeling super-great I’d have been drinking extra coffee and maybe get a cupcake or something as a treat to get myself through the day.

Pursuing your dreams is a risk.? There is no doubt about that.

But I think we don’t think enough about what kind of risk you take in NOT going for it.?

I was imagining what I’d be like today if I was still in that job.? My whole body kind of tenses up.? I’d feel further away from my purpose and my creativity.? I wouldn’t be practicing extreme self-care as a way of living.? I wouldn’t have the Dream Loft.? I wouldn’t feel fulfilled by my work the way I do now.

That’s not who I want to be.

At the time, I thought it was all about money.? About how I needed my job because I didn’t know how to make enough money to support myself without it.

I thought the life I really wanted was impossible because of money.

In hindsight, that’s ridiculous.

It wasn’t about money.? It was about courage, and learning to trust myself and my creativity.? It was about stretching my comfort zone.? It was about how much more powerful I am when I am living in integrity with my inner truth.

And I promise: the life you really want is possible.? But it’s not going to come to you, you have to go to it.

And if you want my help sorting this out – I’m here.? My Creative With Money e-course starts tomorrow.

I can promise you that in this course you?ll meet money in a totally different way ? this is not like anything else out there.? You’ll see new possibilities for how to live your REAL life.

And I can promise to be there with you on the journey.? I?ll be active in the class forum, answering your questions, helping you get through the stuck places and cheering you on.

The Creative With Money e-course? happens inside the Creative Dream Circle.?? Once you join the Circle, you’re in for a whole year.? This means you get this plus ALL of the other courses I run all year long – for just $100.

Grief & Magic. Read More »

Creative Dream TV: Money & Healing

By Andrea Schroeder / April 1, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, healing, money, Vintage Creative Dream TV

Today I wanted to talk more about the magic of healing your relationship with money, and why this matters to me, why I want to help you with this and what kinds of things tend to come up for people as they explore healing & money.

You are invited to come and explore this with me, and with other committed creative dreamers, in my Creative With Money e-course which you get inside the Creative Dream Circle.? We use creativity, imagination and play to lead you around the very sticky terrain of exploring your inner relationship with money and laying the foundation to create a whole new money story for yourself.

I can promise you that you’ll meet money in a totally different way than you ever have before – this is not like anything else out there.

Creative Dream TV: Money & Healing Read More »

What I learned from my (former) naivete about making money online.

By Andrea Schroeder / March 31, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, Manifest Your Dream Life, money

When I first set out to learn about how to take my small creativity and meditation workshops and put them on the internet and let them be my, like, real actual income, I sought out coaches and mentors who were making real money.

That was one of my main criteria for wanting to work with someone: how much money do they make?? Because if they have figured out how to make a lot of money online surely they can help me do the same.

Now all I can do is smile in embarrassment about how naive I was.

The truth is, size doesn’t matter.

What you need to live a happy, inspired and meaningful life is different than what I need.? More is not better.? Just right is best.

I’ve stopped reading all blogs where people talk about how much money they make, and use it as a selling point.

Not only am I not interested,? I am turned off by the energy that’s driving it and the message behind it.

I think they’re missing the boat completely.

The trick to money isn’t about hitting certain numbers.

It’s about being in right relationship with it.? FLOW. LOVE. CREATIVITY.

About how much easier it is to grow a dream when you can give it the material things it needs.? About how much sparklier life is when you’re indulging in the exact kind of soulful self-care that fills your well, and not making compromises in order to save money.

Because when you’re making compromises in order to save money, you’re out of alignment with the richness of your soul.

You can feel it, how you’re pinching yourself off and collapsing your brightest possibilities. And it hurts.

But you live in a world that is profoundly fucked up about money, and you don’t want to go over to the other side where it’s all about the money and not about the love, so it’s hard to even know that another way is possible.

Most of the problems of creative dreaming are actually money problems.

Like wanting to earn a certain amount and getting caught in a pattern of needing external validation.
Or playing the martyr.
Not having time for your dreams because you’re giving all of your energy to a job that does not make your soul sing.
Dulling your dreams down because you don’t have the right space for the kind of creative work you really want to be doing.
Playing small, thinking this is financially safer.
Putting your dreams on hold until that magical day when you’ll suddenly have more money.
Not quite trusting yourself to do that thing you really want to do and find a way to make it work financially.
Not seeing the infinite possibilities that swirl around you in every moment of your life because you’re afraid of what may happen if you go after them.

What it really comes down to is trusting yourself to create an outer life which is in alignment with your inner magic.

EMPOWERMENT. TRUST. ALIGNMENT.

I’m not going to promise you some ridiculous 3 step program for overcoming all of this, but I do want to invite you to come and explore it with me, and with other committed creative dreamers.? Together we can bring in the superpowers of love and healing and transformation.

My Creative With Money e-course uses creativity, imagination and play to lead you around the very sticky terrain of exploring your inner relationship with money and laying the foundation to create a whole new money story for yourself.

I can promise you that you’ll meet money in a totally different way – this is not like anything else out there.

And I can promise to be there with you on the journey.? I’ll be active in the class forum, answering your questions, helping you get through the stuck places and cheering you on.

I know you can do this.

Creative With Money e-course starts on April 3 (this Thursday) inside the Creative Dream Circle.

When you join the Circle you get an annual membership.? This means you get ALL of the courses I run all year long.

One year from today you could be living in your new money story – the one that’s all about love and flow and creativity and possibility and magic.

What I learned from my (former) naivete about making money online. Read More »

Update 18: Why Being Stuck is Very, Very GOOD

By Andrea Schroeder / March 28, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, Manifest Your Dream Life

(you can read my original post about this here)

At this point though, it?s less about the numbers and more about growing my capacity to serve dreamers everywhere in bringing their dreams to life.

In support of this goal, I am writing weekly updates on Fridays, for all of 2014. This is where I’ll share the story of all the ups and downs of bringing a big dream to life.

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

A part of me is frustrated that this is not happening faster.? She reminds me that my goal was to stop doing one-on-one sessions and have the Circle be my main income and that I should be there by now.

And also: I know more than anyone about bringing a dream to life, so why am I taking so long with this?? This is so stupid.

This part of me wonders if? making this journey so public is messing with my ju-ju and wants me to stop posting these updates.

I send this part of me a lot of love and a teeny tiny little reminder that I know it feels like it, but it isn’t really taking “so long”.

Which she tries to brush off.? I don’t need love, and I sure-as-fuck do not need patience!? What I need is for you to get your shit together and get this done. NOW.

I put her in a sound-proof bubble of love and compassion and gentleness.? Slowly, she starts to mellow out.

The truth is, if all I cared about was reaching my goal – I would be there by now.

I have learned so much about online marketing and sales, I know if I was doing certain things I would have more sales.

That is not how I want to get there.

How I do this is way more important to me than how fast I do it.

I spent two years developing the Circle while it was relatively hidden.? What if it takes me two more years to get it to optimum capacity?

Right now, the Circle feels absolutely blissful to me.

When I look at what it offers people, what happens for them when they join, what happens as they work with the tools over time… bliss.? I am so proud of what I have built and the impact it is having on the people who choose to join.

The relief they feel that now they have a place where they can go any time they feel scared, stressed, angry, stuck, unsure… and transform that feeling, and leave feeling connected and bright and happy and knowing what to do next next.
The amazement they feel at discovering aspects to their creative genius they didn’t know where there.
The miracles and adventures they find as they use these tools to excavate and transform their inner worlds.

What happens inside the Circle is delicate and vulnerable – that’s the nature of TRUE healing and transformation.

So even though outside of the Circle – my blog and social media streams – is not the same kind of container for transformation, it needs to be somewhat in alignment with the deep magic of inside the Circle.

I mean, that only makes sense, right?? I can’t use standard internet sales & marketing approaches to push more people into the Circle then suddenly demand that they get vulnerable enough to do the work.

Trust, safety and sovereignty have to be a part of this EVERYWHERE.

But just because I don’t want to go the traditional sales & marketing route does not mean I don’t do ANYTHING about sales & marketing.

For every strategy and tactic that I am saying no to – I need to find something to say yes to.

What I’m doing is exploring the essence and looking at where the essence of the marketing tactic meets the essence of my work and then exploring what I can do with that.

Much, much longer process than simply following proven tactics.

Also: richer.

Frustrated little me in the sound-proof bubble has found a deck of index cards and a marker and she’s sending me a message:

Yes, I like this.? I see that this is what you have been doing but you’ve been doing it a bit haphazardly.? Let’s make a list of tactics and strategies that are effective, put it in Evernote, and make a plan in your calendar to work with one every week.

“Working with” meaning: doing that journal thing you do where you draw out the essence of the thing, put it beside the essence of the Circle and then find the places where they overlap.? Then brainstorm ways to work with the essence in ways that are in alignment with the Circle.? This probably won’t take more than an hour.? And then of course you have to implement what you learn.

See what happened there?

I started by giving some space to the frustration I was feeling.

Rather than try to pretend it’s not there or bury it in positive thinking, I listened to what it has to say, and what it wants me to do.

Then I made space for my centered myself, to listen to what I have to say when I’m not listening to my frustration.

Then I showed my frustrated self what I want.

Then my frustrated self and I were able to work together to create a plan that makes us both happy.

This is the essence of healing and transformation. It doesn’t obliterate the parts of you who are afraid, it embraces your inherent wholeness and wisdom.

This is what I teach, in step-by-step detail, in the Un-Sticking Station in the Creative Dream Circle which is basically, a recipe for a miracle.

Nothing, EVER, has to stay stuck.

Having an Un-Sticking Station is soooo important because getting stuck is part of creative dreaming.

The whole concept of stuck = bad is a muggle concept.

But when you’re a creative dreamer you’re working with the unknown so of course you’re going to get stuck.? That’s just a natural part of it.

Learning how to recognize a stuck, and then un-stick it quickly and effectively is a necessary skill for creative dreamers.

And more importantly – it’s in the stucks where you find the gifts – the gifts you use to build your unique & gorgeous path.? That’s where the magic is!

Update 18: Why Being Stuck is Very, Very GOOD Read More »

Spotlight!

By Andrea Schroeder / March 27, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, Manifest Your Dream Life

One of my favourite parts of my job is supporting amazing people in bringing amazing (often IMPOSSIBLE) dreams to life.

My clients and Circle members are brilliant bright stars who are making a big difference in the world.

I want to share more of their stories here because they are so super inspiring, and today I am super excited to share Corie Weaver‘s story about her “impossible dream”.

?Tell us about yourself!

I didn?t grow up planning to be a writer. I was never one of those kids scribbling stories in a notebook, or submitting to the school paper. But I?ve always been a voracious reader.

A few years ago, I realized I had some of my own stories to tell. I?ve been lucky enough to have participated in some fabulous crit groups, and to have attended the Taos Toolbox Workshop.

I love reading. I love stories of adventure, stories that grab me and won?t let me go. Stories that will stay with me for years. Old and new, paper books, digital and comics ? anything with a good story is fair game. And I love writing, telling stories, creating worlds and people and histories? and then doing terrible things to them!

My background is in medieval history (Spanish manuscripts of the apocalypse, if you were wondering), but as I?m fond of being able to pay the bills, I work at our local university, as well some freelance work as a web designer. I live in Las Vegas, New Mexico (the smaller, older, and much quieter one) with my husband and our two cats and two dogs. We travel as much as possible, and are active with our local animal rescue group.

Tell us about your dream!

To write stories full time, reach young people and their parents, and to create a platform for more stories than I can personally write to reach more young people!

Dreaming Robot Press focuses on publishing science fiction and fantasy novels for a Young Adult and Middle Grade audience.

We believe stories shape our reality.
We believe this is especially important for stories that we are exposed to growing up.
We believe novels can be excellent in both their stories and in the effects they have.

In order to ensure that all children can find models to identify with, we?re committed to publishing stories about a diverse range of characters and situations.

Today there are more options than ever for a writer to explore. If you have a great young adult or middle grade science fiction or fantasy manuscript and you?re considering going indie vs a small press, we?d love to talk with you.

Right now we?re very interested in receiving young adult/middle grade novels featuring strong female heroines, without a romantic subplot.

How has the Circle helped you with your dream? What are you doing now that you are in the Circle that you weren’t doing before you joined?

I never really believed I could make a living from my writing.

As I’ve been working deeper and deeper into the heart of my dream, I’ve realized that I’ve been telling stories to myself as a younger girl. And then with the help of LOTS of dreaming and journaling, and talks with friends, I uncovered something deeper that had bothered me.

In the world of Science Fiction and Fantasy, there aren’t a lot of young adult and middle grade books for girls that don’t have a romantic sub-plot. Its as if we’re telling girls that sure, they can go off on adventures, they can have a ‘hero’s journey’ – but its not complete until they find true love, or something like it. Even great books, with totally kick-ass heroines seemed to always have some level of romantic tension.

And I thought… I can do something about that.

Years ago I worked at a small press, and now in the world of digital publishing, a lot of the gates are opening for writers to bring their work out. I’ve started a small, electronic first, publishing house to focus on girl-positive young adult and middle grade science fiction and fantasy. Self-publishing is great, but there’s a number of hurdles that are easier tackled in a group 🙂

What’s your favourite part of the Circle?

The playdates!! I seldom have a chance to listen in realtime, but I love going back and making that special time for myself and my dream to get closer and reconnect.

I feel like I’m glowing for days after.

I’ve been known to run through the recordings again when I need a pick-me-up mid-month, and I’ll get a whole different set of insights.

I hope you go visit Corie nd check out her?Dreaming Robot Press – she is a gorgeous soul and great person to know!

Spotlight! Read More »

Creative Dream TV: The Truth about Money and Creative Self-Employment

By Andrea Schroeder / March 25, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, Manifest Your Dream Life, money, Vintage Creative Dream TV

Some days it feels like the only people who talk openly about money are the people who are making millions.? And it starts to feel like more money = more success. Which is not true.

Being successful with money is about having what’s right for you.

Being successful with life is about living in a way that lights you up with joy.? For me, this has to include being my own boss so that I can be doing the work that is the most inspiring and fulfilling to me.

While I’m feeling a little uncomfortable about sharing this today because it’s just more personal than what I am used to sharing publicly, I also feel like it’s really important that I do share it.

We need more not-millionaires sharing their happy money stories.

So today I’m sharing my actual story about money and being a creative entrepreneur.

I am 100% self-employed. I am single and don’t have anyone helping with the bills.? Of course, this story changes from day to day and week to week, but this is where I am right now:

If you want to become a more conscious, empowered and deliberate creator of your money story, join me for the Creative with Money e-Course.

This course is deeply healing and magically transformational.

You can get it inside the Creative Dream Circle.

Creative Dream TV: The Truth about Money and Creative Self-Employment Read More »

Update #17. Timing: Perfect Timing & Time for Magic & NO MORE WAITING.

By Andrea Schroeder / March 21, 2014

(you can read my original post about this here)

At this point though, it?s less about the numbers and more about growing my capacity to serve dreamers everywhere in bringing their dreams to life.

In support of this goal, I am writing weekly updates on Fridays, for all of 2014. This is where I'll share the story of all the ups and downs of bringing a big dream to life.

***************************************************
I feel like I am settling into this routine now, of taking some time on Thursday afternoons to connect with my dream and look at what's happened with it over the past week and what it needs next and sort out what I want to share about it here.

I like this.

This week my main struggle has been in being frustrated about SLOWNESS.

And then remembering to trust in perfect timing. (Perfect Timing being Diving Timing being not under your control)

It's pretty much impossible to trust in perfect timing when you're not doing your part, though.

So being frustrated that it's taking too long is often a sign that there's something you are not doing, that you could be doing. Hello, resistance.

I happily received that message this week. Along with some really gorgeous inspiration about what to do about it.

This is coming together with the work I've been doing around marketing.

I want my marketing to change the way you think about your dreams.

See, when you make your dream your spiritual practice – you step into deep, deep magic. You step beyond fear, excuses and resistance. You step into the land of possibility RIGHT NOW IN THIS MOMENT.

No more waiting for something to change first before you can go after your dream.

No more figuring out HOW to make your dream real.

No more not being sure about what your dream even is.

Just magic, right now. ALL the magic... This is what people experience when they start working with the tools inside the Creative Dream Circle.

What I am doing now is creating a free program so people can get the basic tools to do this as an introduction to my work.

I teach cutting-edge CREATIVE energy processes, that go way beyond the law of attraction or positive thinking. It's not like other things you've tried. That makes it really hard for me to describe it. Plus, I can help you do things that you think are impossible, but your brain is telling you that that's impossible.

This is where I've been stuck in trying to describe my work.

So, I'm creating a new free class so that instead of explaining how out of this world amazing my classes are, I'm just going to show you what I can do – more importantly, show you what YOU can do with these tools.

When I first took my in-person creativity workshops online, I grew my audience with just that – a free e-course about using creativity as fuel for creating positive change in your life.

Since then, my work has evolved. A lot.

So much so that I deleted that free course and started offering my Creative Dream Start Kit but the Starter Kit no longer feels in alignment with the fullness of the magic I can offer you.

So this feels like my next step.

I'm creating the course right now, and working on a promotional plan for it.

I'm thinking back to when I did my first free e-course and had pretty good success advertising it. I quickly grew my email list to about 2,400 people and had enough sign-ups for my paid courses that I felt confident leaving my job.

Right now my email list is at 4,000. So I'm thinking because I'm starting from a larger base, I can double it, especially considering that this free course is AMAZING and there is nothing else like it out there.

I am imagining that word of mouth is going to work for me and I am willing to work hard promoting it.

And the most important part is that having this free course feels like the exact introduction I want to give people to my business. This makes me very happy, to think about being able to give this to people.

With 8,000 people taking this course – will 700 of them want to come into the Circle this year to get me to my goal?

That's the question I'm playing with now.

One thing that is REALLY cool about this question is that the thought of 8,000 people on my email list doesn't freak me out like it did just a short time ago. Progress!

If you like exploring business from a creative/spiritual perspective:

I do have a whole Creative Business Incubator inside the Creative Dream Circle with EVERYTHING I have learned about building a business with heart and soul.

And I recommend Hiro Boga's Become Your Own Business Adviser, though a much larger investment, Hiro has 30 years experience and a stunning depth of knowledge. It's starting on March 28 and I'll be taking it again this round.

Update #17. Timing: Perfect Timing & Time for Magic & NO MORE WAITING. Read More »

Spotlight!

By Andrea Schroeder / March 20, 2014 / creative entrepreneur, journaling, Manifest Your Dream Life

One of my favourite parts of my job is supporting amazing people in bringing amazing (often IMPOSSIBLE) dreams to life.

My clients and Circle members are brilliant bright stars who are making a big difference in the world.

I want to share more of their stories here because they are so super inspiring, so I’m starting today with Angel Sullivan, who generously shares her story and some LUSCIOUS pages from her creative journals.

?Tell us about yourself!

hey gorgeous, i’m angel… and i’m a beauty, meaning, and depth junkie {all-together now “hi, angel”}.

i’m always looking for the light in the depths & for the deeper connection. i talk a lot about connection to self, Self, Mama & others… and have little to no patience for small talk & surface interactions.

i’ve been creating simple & soulful websites for solopreneurs for the last three years & before that worked for various companies in IT Support/Training roles.

now, i’m gearing up to shift my focus to bringing more soul to solopreneur. in other words, i want solopreneurs (everyone, really) to step back from all the marketing messages & ‘expert advice’ we’re being spoon fed… and instead to remember how to tap into our own inner gurus for the answers we seek & for the decisions that need made (this is what i love about Andrea’s work. she consistently points us back to ourselves, and that’s where the real answers are).

the primary way i’m going to do this right now is by creating a way for us to do luminous communion together (you & me = serious magick!). we’ll spend the day (plus some follow up time) bringing *you* back into your business so that it’s drenched in heart + soul *and* supports you financially. if you’re interested in hearing more, you can get the details here.

i believe that doing this will create a shift in the consciousness of our species that leads to a more just, peaceful, and equitable world for all of us (humans, plants, and animals alike… not to mention all of our living waterways etc… as well).

Tell us about your dream!

before this year, my dream has been to figure out my dream!

now, my dream (since i’ve gotten more clarity) is to help solopreneurs remember how to access the magickal & luminescent parts of themselves & bring that into their businesses so that their depth (their big truth) can spread out from their businesses into the larger world (and feed their souls and their bank accounts at the same time!).

How has the Circle helped you with your dream? What are you doing now that you are in the Circle that you weren’t doing before you joined?

my dream is pretty freaking big.

so it needs some pretty solid structures & foundations to support it.

two of the ways i build those structures are to create maps & collages. i never really did anything like either of these (at least in the ways that i do now!) before joining Andrea’s Circle.

i never would’ve thought that activities that seemed so simple would lead to the insights and clarity that they do. but it never fails. they always do.

what i find most helpful about The Circle is that the group calls (the Playdates & the HOLYdays) always have this amazingly luscious energy about them. this energy that i just cannot seem to conjure on my own. and when i listen in on the calls, i become part of that energy. i feed into it, it feeds me, and we have this gorgeous regenerative & interactive cycle that transports me to a place within me, where the magick just freely flows.

What’s your favourite part of the Circle?

that’s not an easy question given all the luscious resources & connections available!

i think when it comes right down to it, though, my very favorite part of the circle is knowing that i can participate as much or as little as i am able / would like to… and that regardless of my participation level, i always feel included and welcomed.. and i always benefit.

so if i’m able to be on a call live, rock on. if i’m not, i can look forward to the recording & playsheets. either way, i feel like i’m part of the circle, and never feel slighted for not participating in the way someone else would like me to.

(this is such a big deal to me because so many other group facilitators {in my experience} tend to be so concerned that folks participate in the way that *they* want to happen, that i end up feeling guilty or otherwise less-than if i don’t connect in the way that i’m expected to. blegh.)

Let’s peek inside Angel’s journals!!

I am so grateful that Angel was open to sharing some photos of her creative journals.? We go pretty darn DEEP and PERSONAL with our work in the Circle, and most members (understandably!) prefer not to share such delicate work in a public space.

So it’s always a special treat when we get to take a peek….