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Hi! I'm Marie
You have gifts to share with the world and my job is to help you get them out there.
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Button TextWhen you think about getting your work out there in a bigger way, do you ever get caught by thoughts that say…
“But what if the thing I love to do doesn’t directly change the world or solve a problem?”
“But what if my business model is all about me? I’m having a really difficult time seeing how my products will really help anyone, besides me following my dreams!”
Most of us have a hard time valuing what we do, especially if the thing we do comes so naturally to us.
It’s can be even tougher if our work falls into buckets that can be considered “creative” or “artistic.”
Marketing can seem easier to get behind (and execute) when what you offer the world clearly solves some kind of pain point or problem.
But what if that’s not what you sell? And if you’re a creative or artistic person, can you still feel like your business makes a significant, positive impact on others?
If you’re an artist or creative who’s questioned the value of the work you bring to the world, watch this now.
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How we doing? We all had Mexican food. We're all going to toot our brains out. Anybody else have beans?
Hey, it's Marie Forleo and you are watching MarieTV, the place to be if you want to create a business in life you love. And I assume you do, because this is Q&A Tuesday. In this Q&A Tuesday, I am tackling two Q's with one A. That's right, two for Tuesday.
First question, [Sophia 00:00:34] and she writes, "Hi Marie. I've watched every one of your videos and you've inspired me to follow a passion I long abandoned, illustration. You often talk about the importance of having a mission and doing work that matters, but what if the thing you love to do doesn't directly change the world or solve a problem? I can't say that illustration and telling stories adds value to the world. Is there a way to contribute no matter what kind of work you do?"
Now check this out. Carolina writes, "Hi Marie, I'm a documentary and environmental photographer, but I'm having a hard time coming from a place of service when I try to sell and market to my clients. My concern is my business model is all about me. I'm stuck in a rut and I have a really difficult time seeing how my products will really help anyone, besides me following my dreams. Please give me a Mama Maria reality check."
Sophia and Carolina, awesome questions. I can't tell you how many times I hear this, especially when it comes to artists. Here's the thing that I want you to know. You make a difference. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do for a living, all forms of expression are valuable. There's no such thing as better value or more value. Doctors aren't better than doll makers, journalists aren't better than jewelry designers, and astronauts are not better than artists. Entertainment, art, anything that provides pure pleasure is a hundred percent of value.
Just imagine our world without paintings or art or books or movies or comedies or plays or operas. We'd have no freaking culture and we'd be bored out of our brains. Art connects us to our humanity and to each other. It compels us to think and to feel and to love. Think about how much nicer our home is when you've got great art on the walls, or think about how a great illustration or a photo helps bring a story to life. Or think about times when you've needed a good laugh or you've been moved by a great piece of art or by a beautiful song. What if those things didn't exist? What if Picasso or Prince said, "You know what? This art doesn't really provide value. I should be a homeopathic health coach instead."
When you're learning about business, especially online business, you see so many examples of marketing solutions that it's easy to dismiss the value of art that's not problem solution-oriented. But just because you don't market something that clears up acne or makes a dog stop humping legs doesn't mean you market something any less important. And if you still question what value art has, here's a tweetable from Mr. Picasso himself. "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." So there you go, art does solve a problem. It cleans off the dust. Art's like Swifter for your soul.
Now before we wrap up, there's one more thing. Making money doing something you love, if you're not hurting anyone or cheating anyone, is by definition a service to the world. You are helping the economy and you're adding to the financial flow. Plus get this, you're also making a difference to people around you. Because when you do what you love and you're passionate and you're happy, that is added value.
Okay, Sophia and Carolina, that was my A to your double Q. Thank you so much for asking it. Now, I want to hear from you. Do you ever doubt the value of what you do? If so, I want to challenge you to tell me at least three specific ways that your work makes a positive impact on others. Don't forget to tell me about it in the comments below. As always, the best discussions happen after the episode over at marieforleo.com so go there and leave a comment now.
Did you like this video? If so, subscribe and share it with your friends. And if you want even more great resources to create a business and life that you love plus some personal insights from me that I only talk about an email, get your buns over to marieforleo.com and sign up for email updates. Stay on your game and keep going for your dreams because the world needs that special gift that only you have. Thank you so much for watching and I'll catch you next time on MarieTV.
B-School is coming up. Want in? For more info and free training, go to joinbschool.com.
Like a hammer, bam. Meh,
Meh.
Meh. Back that thing up, back that thing up.
Wow.
Oh my God.
Today’s challenge is super important and should take you less than 15 seconds. I really want to see you take action on this one.
In the comments below, name at least 3 specific ways your work makes a positive impact on others. If you’ve got more than that, keep going.
Now it doesn’t matter what level you’re at in your business or life — or what you do for a living.
Because even if you think you’ve got this “valuing what you do” thing handled, I’d bet that there’s a next level waiting for you.
And really owning your worth and its positive impact on others, especially if you’re an artist or creative, is a key part of that equation.
Most importantly, owning the value you offer the world creates a powerful ripple effect around you.
You do better work, earn more, have more resources to take care of the people and things you care about, and become a living demonstration of what’s possible for all of us.
Thank you, as always, for reading, watching and adding your genius to the conversation!
P.S. If today’s episode resonated with you, I highly recommend you consider joining us for B-School. No matter what you create or sell, you’ll learn how to better position and market your work.
Hear stories from our grads here and here. We’re less than a week away from closing down early enrollment for B-School 2014. The full scoop is will be emailed to you if you’re on the list at JoinBschool.com.
With love,
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