You may not know this about me, but when I’m interested in something, I become a master researcher. I want to know all about it. I troll the internet, research people who have and are doing what I’m interested in, learn their stories and map their successes and challenges. I read their blogs and books and learn what experience has given them to share. I find the information inspiring, like a bolstering catalytic force that strengthens my YES and helps me move forward feeling encouraged and connected to a pool of similarly inspired people.

So this past year I got interested in people who are successful in their particular area of focus.

For example, what’s a painter who makes $200,000+/year doing that’s different than one who makes $40,000? Especially if they more or less spend the same amount of time painting.

Although I focused on people who do all sorts of things (painting, music, counseling, writing, photography), and by NO MEANS consider one’s income to be the only measure of success, I found the same thing across the board. There was 1 magic formula everyone I learned about did and a few other things I found that were pretty darn similar.

The magic formula is so simple it’s like duh, I knew that already but clearly we don’t all know this otherwise there’d be more ROCKING IT and less HOW DO I MAKE THIS WORK? in people’s lives. It boils down to this: You have to fully and consistently show up for what you’re doing.

I don’t mean you have to slave 7 days a week. Nobody I learned about did that. In fact, from what I could find, every single one of them has a consistent schedule they keep to and really show up for, and with the exception of a few type-A folks, this schedule looks like WORK when you’re set to work and DO WHATEVER (except keep working) when you’re set to personal time. And, deep breath for you night owls, the majority of people’s schedules began at 6:30 or 7 in the morning, many of whom use this morning time for art and get to business around 10ish.

So what would it be like if you actually, whole-heartedly SHOWED UP for your life? What if you gathered all the energy you spend in doubt, questioning, confusion, or disorganization and harnessed it into engaged creation and action? Imagine how rocking your business, creativity, relationships, etc. could be if you really showed up for them. It’s potentially like you could walk into a whole different life!

When I was in Hawaii last month my honey and I, both artsy entrepreneurs, got to talking about the obviousness and simplicity of the magic formula and decided to create an experiment we’re doing now through Summer Solstice called The Show Up Experiment. Perhaps you’d care to join us?

The experiment is this: We’ve each set a certain weekly work schedule for ourselves that’s considerably more than what we’ve each been doing but that’s still totally realistic. During “work hours” we’re only going to work on the 1-2 main dishes in our creative-business lives and everything else will happen outside of those hours.

Simple. Clear. Easy. Do-able. And way more organized and efficient than trying to cover every base every day… which we all know is a form of sabotage as it leads to everything being done half-assed and you feeling frazzled and exhausted.

I’m super excited about this experiment and what fantastic possibilities will come of it (fingers crossed!!) so I thought I’d share it with you because maybe, just maybe, some part of your life is calling for a Show Up Experiment as well??

We needed strengthening with creativity and business, and perhaps you do too, but maybe your life needs attention with health or relationships or __? Whatever it is, I can say with certainty from my semi-obsessive researching of the past year, that IF you have an area like this, you’re RIPE for a Show Up Experiment and NOW’S a great time to create one and step into it. Seriously, do it! You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. Carpe diem!!!

ps. Showing up is The Foundation of the magic formula, but it wasn’t the only thing. So the “few other things I found ” will come in next week’s post. Stay tuned!

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Here’s an entertaining and illuminating dose of cause and effect inspiration to give you a BOOST!

Life is so much like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel. Every moment we can step back or IN. It takes courage, but really – which life do you want to live?

Heard any of these?

I can’t handle it if s/he leaves me. I earn __ amount of money which sucks because it’s not enough to live on, but I can’t earn any more. I can’t do __ – I’m too old/short/heavy/etc. I can’t go up to her, I don’t have a chance! I want to sing/dance/paint/etc., but I can’t and since I’m not an artist, I can’t try. I can’t change careers now, I’m in too deep with what I have going on… even though it’s not satisfying or not paying me well. I don’t like where I live or don’t like the relationship I’m in but I just can’t move on. I just can’t (adjoined with frozen deer in headlights look). I don’t know how. It’s. too. much.

OMG, even just READING this paragraph I feel like a doomed wooly mammoth being sucked DOWN into into the La Brea tar pits. It’s soooo dense and heavy.

But sadly, crazily, BIZARRELY, I hear people say this sort of thing ALL THE TIME. Sometimes it’s this direct and sometimes their ego tries to hide what it’s up to by saying it a bit more indirectly or being “reasonable”. But at the end of the day it’s the same thing: The Poison of I Can’t.

This poison has been dripped into humanity for ages and it runs in each of our psychological blood streams. It has soaked itself into the fabric of who we each think we are and has woven itself into how we view what possibilities are available in life. It works on each of us to close the door on our light, to shackle who we know ourselves to be and keep us feeling small… and miserably helpless.

But it’s a lie. The BIGGEST LIE. The most wildly ridiculous and fantastic tall-tale that’s ever been spun.

I mean, really – just look around at the people in your life. When you really LOOK and see who they truly are, don’t you just revel in how extraordinarily fabulous they are? Aren’t you dazzled by how uniquely talented, gloriously intelligent, insatiably lovable, and profoundly capable they each are in their own eccentric and wild way?

I AM. I look at the people in my life and am blown away by each of them… and they’re each so different, but each such precious gems of power, beauty, creativity, wisdom, and love. I am inspired beyond belief by each of them. Their mere presence ignites me to expand who I think myself to be and approach life with more boldness and heart.

And guess what? This ISN’T a “guess which one is not like the other” situation. You’re that too. You are every bit as talented, powerful, and delicious as the people in your life. Whatever crappy actions and story that may’ve been dumped on you up to this point is no more powerful than dust on your mirror. It’s nothing. Not worth a second thought. Sure, it happened. But it doesn’t define who you are for the rest of your life. Geez! So, wipe if off, see who you are, and move forward!!!

Do you know about John of God? His story is fascinating so, if not, read about him here. But, to say it shortly: he’s a healer in Brazil people travel to from all over the world. Although it’s not always the case, he’s known for miraculous healings where people who have been afflicted with life-long or terminal ailments experience spontaneous and complete healing. Far out, right? Well, one of the rooms of his building is filled with crutches and wheelchairs people no longer need… because they leave there just fine and able to walk on their own.

I Can’t is like that. It’s a crutch ego’s been using on you forever to convince you something’s wrong with you when there isn’t. So if this is a message who’s time has come in your life, then puh-lease take it in.In.IN. to the very core of who you are and toss your old I Can’t story in the dumpster where it belongs!

And whatever you’ve been dreaming of or considering, do it. Even if it’s not something you do forever, do it as an act of showing yourself you can. Because, you CAN. Now’s the time, baby, to be and live you – loud and proud:)

“…for the past 33 yrs I’ve looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?” And whenever the answer is no too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”? – Steve Jobs

Your thoughts put you in prison or they can set you free. And I don’t know of anyone who gets to the heart of that matter more swiftly and simply than Byron Katie.

If you find this to be good, empowering medicine for you, also check out her 2 books “Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life” and “I Need Your Love – Is That True?: How to Stop Seeking Love, Approval, and Appreciation and Start Finding Them Instead“.