Rip the Lid Off — 2009 Style

“And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything you risk even more.”
 – Erica Jong

In Issue #221

Rip the Lid Off—2009 Style
by Krista Jones

In late December 2007 (CP Issue #133), I wrote an essay called Rip the Lid Off. The essay talked about my past experiences as an Environmental Scientist as well as my goal for 2008.

I thought it might be interesting to revisit that essay today, and update it as necessary as we kick off 2009.

CP Issue #133 began with the following quote from Marianne Williamson: “You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.” The quote ended by saying, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Those are powerful words that are worth re-reading every so often. Especially around the start of a new year.

When I read those words at the end of 2007, I couldn’t help thinking about the toll playing small has taken on me over the years. When I read them today, however, my thoughts take me in a whole new direction …

Now I think about how incredibly grateful I am for the progress I made in 2008, and how determined I am to keep moving outside of my comfort zone.

At first I was surprised that my thoughts are more positive today than they were just over a year ago. After all, like many people, I had the general feeling that ’08 was a “bad” year. So for the first time since I can remember, I celebrated big time as the magnificent ball dropped in Times Square.

Yet, when I reflect on 2008, I realize that at least three significant and positive things happened in my life. Things that happened in large part because of a pledge I made to you and myself at the end of 2007.

What was my pledge? To play bigger than ever.

I’m willing to make that pledge again for 2009.

Are you?

I ask because playing small can lead to complacency. The place where you have things together and you’re getting by without worrying about survival, but there’s no passion. The place I was in when I was scared to leave the security of my environmental job. I used to think, “You know what, this isn’t so bad. It’s not a lot of work. It’s comfy. I’m doing my little head down thing here. It’s an okay life.”

But when I went inside, it didn’t feel like it was an okay life at all.

If you’re currently in that place, I’ll remind you of the three things I did in 2008 to help me step out of a complacency pattern:

There is nothing wrong with complacency on occasion. But if it’s your lifestyle, sooner or later you’ll find yourself looking in the mirror with disappointment, wondering what ever happened to the flame.

Change is scary and it is hard work. But when you’re in a grateful and abundant zone, you move forward with greater ease.

I hope you’ll share your stories with us as you step up and out in 2009. In the meantime, I wish you much personal and professional growth and success.

Resource Referral: Getting Started

I received an email a few days ago from a reader who is interested in becoming an AWAI-trained copywriter, but she doesn’t know which program to start with.

If you’ve been wondering the same thing, here’s the deal: If you don’t have any prior training in copywriting, you should start with AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting. This program is “Copywriting 101”—it covers all the basics. Then once you have that foundation, if you choose you can take the Masters Program to learn more advanced skills.

And if you’re interested in a specific niche, order Secrets of Writing for the Catalog Market, Secrets of Writing for the Christian Market, Secrets of Writing for the Fundraising Market, or whichever market you’re interested in. Starting your copywriting training with any one of these niche programs would be like starting your education in high school before attending elementary and middle school.

I hope this helps to clear things up and that you get started on your dream soon.

Quick Life Tip: Rise Above It

There’s a whole lot of negative energy floating around these days about the recession, healthcare, war, and all the other things that tend to bring us down.

If you watch the news or hang around certain crowds, you can quickly sink from a high energy state to one of despair.

As much as I tried to remain immune to the negative energy and consciousness of the world around me over the past few months, it still got to me.

But it didn’t take me down completely.

If you’re constantly watching or reading the news, stop it. If you’re surrounded by negative people, find new friends to talk to. Protect yourself. Protect your dream. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from taking a risk that you believe in.