Archives for August 2014

Use Your Lack of Focus to Your Advantage

August 31, 2014 By jeffreyshaw Leave a Comment

This is an article I recently wrote for The Huffington Post about what I consider to be my primary POV (point of view). That the true genius of the creative thinker lies in their drive to be easily distracted and “lack of focus”. You know- shiny object syndrome. Instead of squelching this creative drive by calling it an attention disorder or leading creative entrepreneurs to believe there’s no other way to be successful other than finding a niche, I believe creatives should be free to create with passion, diversify, and be more of who they already are. Even if who they are is “all over the place” and “lacking focus”. Have a read and let me know what you think. Does this idea free you? Grant you permission? Make you feel relieved? Get your voice heard on The Huffington Post as well and post your comments below the article.

CLICK PHOTO TO GO TO HUFFINGTON POST ARTICLE

Huffington Post Article

Photographer Lori Nordstrom- “An Intimate Portrait”

August 27, 2014 By jeffreyshaw Leave a Comment

Portrait Photographer Lori Nordstrom

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I had the opportunity to speak with Photographer Lori Nordstrom recently about her business, the charity she started and her overall thoughts on being a successful entrepreneur. It was a lively and transparent conversation that offered some great insights. To know Lori is to love and admire her. I think this interview gives us the most personal look inside to fully understand what makes this successful entrepreneur tick.

Lori is truly the driving force behind her success. It is no wonder that she is one of the leading voices in the photography industry. I found her to be full of gratefulness, focus and determination. The one word that comes to mind when reviewing our talk was ownership. She completely owns her destiny and that truly made me smile. [Read more…]

Barry Friedman: Juggling is Not The Final Act

August 20, 2014 By jeffreyshaw Leave a Comment

Serial Entrepreneur Barry Friedman

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When I first heard about a guy that created an abundant lifestyle as a juggler I was immediately intrigued. Then I found out he also offered his expertise to others as a business coach for entertainers. The idea of coaching others in the industry from which he first built his career resonated with me as that has been my path as well. But wait there’s more! When I found out he recently launched a 30-Day Sugar Free program I realized there was a much bigger story.

Barry exemplifies the creative warrior spirit. Free to create with passion. Determined to serve with all your might. And to be prosperous. Barry embraces business as an act of creativity with no limits to “focus on one thing” and “find a niche”. Barry puts into action everything I believe is best for us creative warriors. [Read more…]

Mauricio Estrella: Change Your Life by Changing Your Password

August 13, 2014 By jeffreyshaw Leave a Comment

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Is it possible to change your life by changing your passwords? Yes, you read that right. Your passwords. The ones you use dozens of times a day to access everything. Today’s guest knows first hand that it certainly is! He has used them to heal from loss, achieve his goals and chart a completely different direction for his life!

I recently came across an article in Huffington Post by Mauricio Estrella about how he has used this practice of passwords as a daily mantra. I posted it on my facebook page and people went crazy. I received countless emails and comments. So I decided to track down the author to gain a better understanding of how this simple and powerful practice came about. I found Mauricio in Shanghai. [Read more…]

What’s a Creative Warrior?

August 8, 2014 By jeffreyshaw Leave a Comment

Business Coach Jeffrey Shaw

I was asked recently where I came up with the name Creative Warriors for my podcast. So here it is.

Having been an entrepreneur for 30 years as a portrait photographer, business coach and public speaker has been the bravest act of my life. I believe for anyone to create a business based on what emotionally drives them takes a whole lot of courage. You put yourself on the line every day. You pour your heart and soul into what you do every day. You risk receiving negative feedback. You take a stand for something you believe in and action towards serving others. That’s an act of bravery if there ever was one.

This by no means applies just to the traditional creative arts. It’s true of any purpose-driven entrepreneur. Coaches, innovators, marketers, designers…..on and on. Basically I like to say anyone who has a less traditional business model. In other words, the greatest value you create is likely something intangible. The work you do may result in something tangible (IE: a photograph or well designed home) but the greatest value you create is in the journey and how it transforms someone’s life.

A warrior is inner strength. The inner strength is so great that the soul stands on a very solid foundation. A warrior is not a fighter. For anyone that has studied yoga, the warrior pose is a wide-legged pose, chest open with an open heart, arms extended and expansive with an intentional gaze beyond the finger tips towards all that is possible. It is all about core and inner strength.

And so the name Creative Warriors was born. To represent those brave individuals setting out in the world of business, creating businesses and serving the world from their purpose and soul. Namaste!

Margot Micallef & Warren Broad- “It’s The Landing That Counts”.

August 6, 2014 By jeffreyshaw Leave a Comment

Margot Micallef and Warren Broad

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Let’s face it. We all fall emotionally, spiritually or financially at one time or another. When we focus on our landing instead of the fall we get the opportunity to start our journey in a different way. Much of success in business and in life is about resilience and recovery.

Focusing more on firmly landing on our feet allows us to constructively move forward and also gain the ability to handle whatever life throws our way. [Read more…]