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As you know the end of the year is a great time to reflect on the year and celebrate successes and learnings. Perhaps you’ve started your reflection process already?

I admit that in past years I (well, actually my ego!!!) would get so eager to document all of my external accomplishments and milestones. When you’re a driven, creative entrepreneur it can be easy to fall into that trap of out-doing your last year, your last launch, your last big-hairy goal, you name it.

But I need to remind myself (and in the process gently remind you, too, my friend) that your year-in-review doesn’t need to always be “bigger and better” than the year before.

In fact, the Shining and Shooting Stars in my Mentorship Program and I have been recently exploring the inquiries “When is enough enough?” and “What does success really look like for you and are you really honoring that through your actions?”

Our heartfelt conversations revealed that success doesn’t always have to equate to hitting a major moola milestone, launching new products, or increasing your marketing reach. Yes, achieving those goals can be great, if you’re consciously choosing them (rather than merely keeping up with the Jones’.) And there can be room for other things that can be just as fulfilling, if not more so.

When you’ve been in business for a while, you’ll notice that you’ll probably have some years or periods that feel more active and outward as you focus on growth, visibility, and the like and other phases when you feel more introspective and low-key as you let new ideas slowly percolate, you emphasize self-care, or work on solidifying your foundation. This is all a natural part of the creative process and seasoned business owners will know how to strategically make the ebb and flow work for them.

So please, don’t discount a “quieter” year.

Just because on the surface your year may not feel like it was as epic or prolific or exciting as past years (or your expectations) that doesn’t mean there aren’t juicy gems to mine.

In fact, the more intangible (and less sexy) aspects such as deep internal work, investing in infrastructure and foundation, moving through transition, and the like are hugely valuable learning opportunities that may make all the difference for you and your business in years to come.

Here are some prompts to help you with your gentler year-in-review:

  • How have you lived and worked in alignment with your values and vision?
  • What were your most valuable learnings or take-aways?
  • Where did you show self-compassion, courage, and commitment (especially in the face of challenge)?
  • How did you surprise yourself?
  • What impact (big or small) have you made through your work?
  • How have you evolved as a business owner and as a human being?
  • What did you enjoy doing that you want to do more of? AND how did you enjoy simply being?
  • What do you need to stop doing or let go of?
  • What three words would you use to describe how you felt in 2015? What three words describe how you want to feel in 2016?

As for me, in many ways this year has looked a lot different than my “bigger” years of book launches, new moola milestones, new house, and such. Even so, I’d say this year may have taught me the most about what I’m made of and that experience will serve me incredibly well in the future. I set out to focus on health, home, and happiness and I’m proud to say that I’ve made conscious choices and aligned my actions around those intentions. I’m celebrating keeping things steady eddy and sustainable in 2015 and making more space for my own creative process and embracing ease.

I’d really love to hear your year-in-review take-aways! Feel free to share your reflections with us at info @ artizencoaching.com that I can celebrate 2015 with you.

Our biggest sale of the year starts today, November 27th!

You can save between 10-50% on some of my most popular offerings including my autographed books, my kits, our Associate Coaching package (get individualized support to kick off the new year), and my licensing programs.

Simply enter the code HAPPYHOLIDAYS2015 at checkout.

New Items

We also just launched a few new offers including the Product Development Playground Home Studywhere I share all of my secrets for making your own information products (like all of these goodies for sale).

And two short, super-affordable courses on Pinterest and on DIY Graphics with Canva and PicMonkey.

So grab that creative resource you’ve been eyeing for yourself or get a unique gift for a cohort.

RBBP e-Course Lowest Price Offered

You also have the chance to grab a pass to the facilitated version of my flagship Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course that starts in January for only $97 during the Holiday Sale only.

Besides, I’ll let you in on a little secret… RBBP e-Course grads automatically get access to the home study, so in way it’s like getting two for one. Here’s the thing, though, if you get during the Holiday Sale, you’ll get the facilitated version of the course AND the home study for a mere $97 (which is like saving nearly $200 if you were to buy both separately!).

All Sale Items come with $97-value Bonus Gift

PLUS, when you purchase a sale item through Dec. 3rd, you’ll receive a special BONUS GIFT – my Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit Greatest Hits (valued at $97).

This awesome bundle features a popular session from each year including Danielle LaPorte, Jen Louden, Dan Pink, Michael Port, and SARK!

So to recap: When you purchase any Holiday Sale item not only will you save up to 50% off the regular price, you’ll also get a valuable bonus gift!For example, you can get my latest book Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way for just under $18 AND you’ll get access to a bundle of 5 super awesome video summit interviews (valued at $97). Pretty sweet deal, right?

The Holiday Sale ends on Thursday December 3rd, so make sure to act now.

Quantities are limited on tangible products. Please note that discounts or bonus gift cannot be applied to previous purchases.

As we head into the remaining bits of 2015, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the past year. This year has felt particularly challenging not just for me, but also for lots of people in my circles.

Speaking for myself, it’s been a year of (sometimes tumultuous) transition as I consciously chose to scale back certain parts of my business to better honor my overall health and well-being while still providing as much value and service as my team and I can do.

For folks in both my personal and professional life, it’s been a roller coaster of tough times from the loss of loved ones, major surgeries, health issues, tragic accidents, job loss/transitions, relocations, and the like – more so than past years it seems.

Not to mention all of the hardships going on at a more global level.

This is not to be a Debbie Downer. Rather, it’s a call for more awareness, compassion, and transformation.

How has this year been for you?

If you’ve had an especially challenging time, I’d love to share with you a practice that I’m just starting to do more of. I’m a total novice AND it’s still helping to shift things for me. And hey, if you’ve had an exceptionally peachy keen 2015 (so happy for you, btw!), then you’re primed to send some extra love and good juju to folks everywhere. Hooray!

One of the messages that really spoke to me when reading Pema Chodron’s wonderful book Living Beautifully: With Uncertainty and Change was this concept of Tonglen.

You breathe in pain, suffering, fear, anger, and sadness from others. These could be individuals or groups of people who you know or don’t know, who are near or far. Tap into the collective ache and hurt.

Then use your out breath to transform all of that pain and difficulty into love, compassion, happiness, hope, ease, and peace. As you exhale, spread healing energy and positive emotions to the world at large.

You’ll probably start to notice an expansive feeling as you connect with something larger than yourself.

I must admit that as an Enneagram 4 I’m prone to getting all “woe-is-me” especially when I’m stressed or overwhelmed. What’s great about Tonglen meditation is it helps you move past your own crap and realize that we are all one.

You can watch a lovely short video excerpt from a talk Pema gave on Tonglen here. (If you’re short on time you can jump to minute 1:22 when she starts to describe the actual practice a bit more).

If this is a bit too woo woo for you, here’s an unexpected side benefit I’ve been finding in even just short bursts of Tonglen.

From a heart-centered entrepreneurial perspective, tapping into others’ pain is helping me develop a deeper sense of compassion and empathy for the pain points and predicaments that my clients and community are faced with. I know that sounds fairly basic and, if I’m being totally honest with myself, I also recognize that the more years that I’m in business the more easily I can let myself become jaded by and impatient with certain fundamental topics or questions. Perhaps you can relate? This practice helps me try to walk in others’ shoes and is quite humbling and informative.

So whaddya say? Want to give Tonglen a go? I’d love to hear what you discover!

I know it probably sounds quite melodramatic when I say that doing Art Every Day Month in November 2007 changed my life, but hey I really believe it did!


By giving myself permission to create every day, the concept for the Right-Brain Business Plan® intuitively came to me at my kitchen table. Since that fateful day the RBBP has helped me grow my business in exciting ways and has helped tens of thousands of creative entrepreneurs around the world launch and grow their businesses (which totally blows my mind).

While I’d like to create every day, I must admit that I don’t always make the time to do so. Although I have been painting in my studio at least once a week and that’s been a lifesaver for me. When November rolls around, though, I love knowing that I’ve got the structure and community of AEDM to help me create my daily doodles.

Here are some of my creative life and creative business learnings from doing AEDM for the past several years:

  • Start small. While I absolutely looove working big when I’m doing intuitive painting, there’s something about the structure of my small 3″x3″ daily doodles that feels completely doable. I started doing these itty bitty sketches in 2009 because I wanted a low-pressure way to participate while I was writing my first book. When I’m sitting down to work on an “important” project in front of the computer or on a blank page, I can get intimated or stuck. But with the contained space of my tiny journal I know that I can just get something done pretty quickly. When you’re moving toward your big visions, start with small steps and enjoy those quick wins.
  • Provide parameters. The first couple of times I did AEDM I played with different mediums each day. While the variety was great and it eventually sparked my first RBBP, after awhile it started to become challenging for me to think of the next cool supply or format to try. When I decided to just focus on my small daily doodles, I felt relief because I had one less thing to worry about. Surprisingly, limits and guidelines can actually stimulate creative freedom.
  • Create consistency. In my last newsletter I shared some tips around enhancing your masculine energy through discipline and follow-through. A daily challenge like AEDM encourages me to practice having consistency and helps me form a nice, productive habit.
  • Capture ideas early, even if they’re not fully formed. When I wait until end of day to do my doodle, I struggle to come up with what to create. But if I start doodling earlier in the day when ideas come to me (even if it’s not intended for the final product) my mind and muse begin to subconsciously sculpt the idea. Then when I do sit down to do the work, I’m able to tap into more ease and inspiration and the doodle flows. I apply that take-away to my business business by jotting down my half-baked thoughts and doodling ideas for future projects. They’re fodder for when I’m ready to develop and implement the next exciting thing.
  • Find the stories and anecdotes. Throughout the day I’m constantly looking for a story or message to inspire my doodle. Sometimes they’re mundane things but often times I discover hidden meaning for myself that helps me explore an emotion or a life lesson. Plus, sharing the stories helps to increase connection, since people can often times relate to my foibles or the funny everyday situations I find myself in.
  • Think visually. I challenge myself to tell the story in pictures not just words. Doing this daily helps me to strengthen my visual thinking muscle. And that muscle sure comes in handy while running a creative business. For example, when I’m trying to articulate a new idea or strategy often times metaphors and diagrams help me wrap my head around new concepts or plans.

Whether you participate in AEDM or not, I encourage you to dedicate some time on a semi-regular basis to explore your creativity. You never know when your next great idea will emerge. I’ll be sharing my daily doodles on Instagram using the hashtags #aedm2015 and #jennleeittybittysketch. Hope you’ll join in the fun!

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To celebrate the launch of her wonderful new book, The Book of SHE, my dear friend Sara Avant Stover will be interviewing some of the feminine leaders that inspire her most (I’m honored to be one of them!).

Each will share the stories that live deep within her own feminine soul (which Sara calls one’s SHE). You’ll be hearing from coaches, yoga teachers, financial therapists, artists, entrepreneurs, nutritionists, astrologers, and even Sara’s own mother!

At the heart of each of our stories is this: as women, we face countless transitions on the pilgrimage from girlhood to womanhood. Menses, love and heartbreak, motherhood, menopause. Devoid of a central narrative, these transitions too often happen in shame and secrecy, leaving us doubting our personal power and self-worth.

Sara saw how women everywhere erroneously view these rites of passage as neuroses, or even “curses.” Now, through both her new book and this podcast series, she’s encouraging women to speak up and help tell a new tale that reflects the power and wisdom unique to the feminine path of empowerment and Awakening.

In our podcast interview, Sara asks me some deep questions that help me reveal some stories I haven’t shared before and open up about some tender points along my own Heroine’s Journey. I share why I’m risking listening to my body (over ambitiously pursuing rapid business growth alone), and both the struggle and peace that this brings. I also share some of my favorite ways to “embrace ease” during my work week, and how connecting with my muse keeps my creative fire kindled. Enjoy!

In our world of right-brain business here we often talk about right-brain and left-brain and how we need to get them to work better together for sustained success.

We can also look at this balance through the lens of the feminine and masculine energies.

I have a hunch, if you’re attracted to my work, you probably have a natural tendency toward more right-brain and feminine attributes such as creativity, passion, emotion, and flow.

And if you’re on the sensitive/intuitive side you might rebel against or feel stifled by the more left-brain and masculine qualities such as structure, linear thinking, and doing/action. Heck, you might even feel burnt out from forcing yourself to operate in that masculine mode throughout your educational and/or professional life. I certainly powered through my Master’s degree and corporate jobs with sheer ambition and drive.

The thing is, in order for us to fully (and healthily) manifest our creative dreams, we need to find a way to integrate the strengths of both our feminine and masculine energies.

Instead of viewing masculine qualities as rigid, too overbearing, or just “not you,” think of them as your ally in getting your gifts out there.

Here are a few places to start building some muscle around these more masculine qualities:

Follow-Through and Discipline

You can have the most inspiring, meaningful, and exciting big vision ever, but, without taking consistent action your idea will never see the light of day (which breaks my heart). Or maybe you had enough gumption to get your gift out there, but it doesn’t have the reach you want because halfway through your launch plan you started doubting, got deflated from slow sign-ups, and petered out. Cultivating more discipline and follow-through will actually help you keep putting one foot in front of the other (even through those tough spots). If you struggle with follow-through and discipline, outside accountability from a coach, buddy, group, or challenge can help provide structure to keep you on track. You’d be surprised by how those final few actions steps can make all the difference, so please stop self-sabotaging and selling yourself short! It’s a disservice to you AND to the peeps who need what you have to offer.

Boundary Setting

Do you worry so much about being liked or being nice that you let yourself get walked all over? And then you wonder why you don’t have any energy or mental capacity left to work on your business or creative projects? It’s time to stand up for yourself and your dreams and practice saying no when something doesn’t serve you. It’s not about being mean or selfish. It’s about compassionately drawing lines to protect and honor your vital energy. Plus it’s about empowering those around you take responsibility for their own actions. It’s not your job to carry it all.

Clear and Conscious Decision Making

One of the biggest drains I see for creative entrepreneurs is how much time and energy they waste hemming and hawing. And to top it off, they judge themselves about how long it takes or how hard it is to make the decision. (BTW, I’m speaking from personal experience here as this is an area I’m still working on!) Your business is built on the decisions you make – deciding who you’re going to serve and how, determining how much to charge, choosing which opportunities or partnerships to go after or where to prioritize your resources. It’s really one decision after another. If you get stuck over thinking, hijacked by your emotional reactions, or you’re just plain ol’ wishy-washy, you’re clogging up your creative flow and frankly just stalling. Instead, tune into your intuition, gather only the essential information to help you make an informed decision, give yourself a time frame, and for goodness sake just pick something! Know that if you’re going into this choice consciously then you’re strong enough and mature enough to own up to the impacts of your decisions. And trust that you have the resourcefulness and resilience to bounce back from a “wrong” decision and that as long as you’re constantly learning, there really is no “wrong” decision.

P.S. – My art journal page shown above illustrates some of the takeaways I had after reading my friend Sara Avant Stover’s new book The Book of SHE. My very personal interview where we discuss how I’m working on integrating my divine feminine and divine masculine airs on her SHE Talks podcast airs this Friday, October 16th.

When I think of action, clarity, and scrappy resilience, I think of my friend and awesome client Tiffany Han. I’ve known Tiffany since gosh maybe 2009 when we were Twitter buddies and have had the honor and pleasure of being her coach since the end of last year.

I’ve watched her raise her hand and say yes to getting 100 Rejection Letters and growing her business like gangbusters in the process (all while raising newborn twins btw!). Tiffany models what happens when you take bold action in your business, embrace creative risk and go after the things you want – even if they’re outside the boundaries of your comfort zone.

Tiffany and I had the chance to chat for a quick bit about what inspired her to seek out rejection (I know sounds a bit crazy, right?). And about how collecting rejection letters has helped her sky-rocket her visibility and income. She also shares more about her signature 100 Rejection Letters program: a year-long coaching and mentorship program where she teaches you how to master the art of making the ask, clarify the story that your brand is trying to tell, achieve focus towards your goals, and create a habit of sustained action towards building a business you love – without letting fear hold you back any longer.

Not only will she be teaching you all of her pitching and branding secrets over the course of the year, she’ll also be sharing a behind-the-scenes look at her own business as she continues her keep getting rejection letters. And she’ll kick your ass into gear as the best bad-cop-cheerleader you didn’t even know you needed!

Tiffany Han 100RL Gold Star Screenshot

With a blend of mentorship, structure, support, and accountability, you’ll be able to start doing all of the work you’ve only been thinking about doing up until now. And you’ll walk away with a heaping dose of confidence, a jam-packed toolbox, and a business that is killing it. And the world will finally know what a badass you are!

Are you in?

Early-bird registration is open through October 19th and Tiffany is offering a bonus 45-minute 1-on-1 session to the first 50 registrants! BTW, her top level program is nearly sold out!

The time to start is right now. (No. Really. Now.)

(A quick heads up that, yes, clicking the links here throws some affiliate coin my way, but – as always – I’d never share something with you that I don’t stand behind fully. This woman rocks!)

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The Right-Brain Business Plan®

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