Turning Your Hobby into a Business» Dreamers Toolbox

EVERYDAY GREATNESS – USE YOUR IMAGINATION

Doctor Lew — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:23:47 +0000

IMAGINATION WAS GIVEN TO US TO COMPENSATE US FOR WHAT WE ARE NOT —AND A SENSE OF HUMOR WAS PROVIDED TO CONSOLE US FOR WHAT WE ARE

Robert Walpole

WE MAKE IT SO - BY WHAT WE DREAM

Let me recommend (again) Covey’s new book, EVERYDAY GREATNESS. I think it is so appropriate for anyone who is trying to “carve out a little better lifestyle.” Afterall, we are not going to find “AN ORDINARY MIRACLE” in our living, if we don’t go after ourselves with something great to work on. All it takes is “…just one great new idea.”

I have started a quest to try to focus more on my “strengths” than keep messing around with everything else that interests me (and I do have a wide range of interests). I have always had a fascination with people who specialize their life and living. They are the ones who seem to be able to “unlock the secrets of the universe – paint and sculpt the masterpieces – write the incredible poetry – and reshape the directions of humanity. I pick up “pearls” of wisdom from time to time and this quote is one.

As you know by now, I think there are SEVEN SENSES – not just five and I also think that they all work better together and influence each other. SIGHT is such a magificent gift. SOUNDS are a distinct pleasure in our lives that I sure wouldn’t want to live without. And TASTE is something that brings with it such a level of satisfaction. But what about TOUCH, who wouldn’t want to have such wonderful sensations, and then to SMELL too, oh, the memories that are rekindled with smell. And I think there are two more (and perhaps many more. INTUTION is starting to have its place as the “sixth sense.” After all if hollywood is promoting the same thing – it must be true. But the big one in my own life is IMAGINATION. The playground of my life has been the joy I find in dreaming things up and making unlikely connections. “Stretching your own thoughts and thinking,” isn’t just a “pass-time”, it should be our “full-time” effort.

When I first read Wolpole’s thought, it hit me so hard. Imagination is to help us with what we are not. What an idea. WHAT IF… we are all here to figure this out and learn to use our “IMAGINATIONS” more? Bingo, I think that is it exactly. A life without learning new skills and trying to get the new doors open on all the possibilities and opportunities that lie all around us – would be a dull run – at best.

IMAGINATION is the key that can unlock any problem, so what should we be most about? And if the eternal gifts of our “senses” are there so we can live with enjoyment and satisfaction, then trying to learn how to “use our intutions and imaginations and intuitions are why we utilmately need to encourage and learn to use more. And you can take this too the bank.

The searching and seeking for new levels of understanding and capacity are not a curse. I think that is the whole blessing of being “…alive.” So, promise yourself that “today and every day” you have left that you are going to “focus your efforts” and “stretch” you thinking to consider all the new POSSIBILITIES S all around you. So, that when you cross that intersection of OPPORTUNITY, you will be prepared and capable. To be able to die, and point to one or two things that you “…did well” and contributed to the world, is to have done a good job with our personal world.

JUST IMAGINE- AND MAKE THIS A GREAT WEEK

DR. LEW

p.s. Wolpole is considered the “first” Priminister of England in the mid 1800′s and he served in that post longer than any other. His magnificent art collection was “sold” to Catherine and resides at the Hermitage in Russia.

ENJOY THE “ROSES” IN YOUR LIFE TODAY

Doctor Lew — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:00:41 +0000

WHEN SOME THINGS HIT YOUR SOUL HARD

PAY ATTENTION

ONE OF THE MOST TRAGIC THINGS I KNOW ABOUT HUMAN NATURE

IS THAT ALL OF US TEND TO PUT OFF LIVING. WE ARE ALL DREAMING OF SOME MAGICAL GARDEN JUST OVER THE HORIZON – INSTEAD OF ENJOYING MORE THE ROSE RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR WINDOWS TODAY.

DALE CARNEGIE

My WEBSHOW this week is almost finished and I was surfing through the web to find a find a great “quote” that might be “on the mark” to help me put a cap on this weeks show, I was not expecting the “one that hit me so hard. You all know that I am a passionate “dreamer” — but what you may not know is that for the last six months there has been a “new Lew” growing. And the thing that has been so satisfying *while I am trying to take care of my aging mother has been the time when I get to “take care of her flowers” and yard. I am not the bet rose grower yet – but I think there is hope for me. I bought a beauty

over at the store and put it right were I get to see it every day.

And I must admit – I know why most of the flower nuts in this world are “rose nuts.” But there is a catch that I have found to being clear crazy about roses

— plant them – nuture them – take care of them – and they give you back a special spirit that is almost impossible to match. I suppose that all flowers are like that – but right now – it is roses.

I know that the secret of life is to “smell the roses” all along your pathway but I also know how “tricky” that can be when your dreams and plans are constnly on the top of your list. So, let’s remember together – and we will visit about it more tomorrow night. I am going to give everyone “…an assignement” but it is a good one – so see you there.

The whole trick is to “dream always and keep dreamin’ but maybe do it more outside – k?

firestarter – conjurer (outside more often)

TOO BUSY

Doctor Lew — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:09:20 +0000

WHEN IS IT TIME FOR YOURSELF…?

THERE IS AN ANSWER FOR BEING TOO BUSY – FIRE UP A GREAT HOBBY AND FORCE THE ISSUE TO TAKE SOME PRECIOUS TIME FOR YOURSELF

As busy as life can be – it is almost a crime against ourselves when we let all the hours of every day be burned up “…just paying the bills.” When I first started even messing around with producing things with my hands – it was so much fun – that I just kept at it. And the more I put into the hobby – the more it delivered and now after thirty years of ParaGraving, I just can’t even imagine how much that time for myself has blessed my life and living.

And as good as that has been, there is one other thing that s even better than the experience that has blessed my own life. The moment when I started “sharing” the interest and passion I had discovered for POWER CARVING – with other people looking for a better way to grow old too, it changed my life dramatically – for the better. We are an entire circle of rather “successful hobbiests” now and I couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments – even if it were my own efforts. My heavens, some people can be creative – if they once just get a chance.

One Extraordinary Carver

One of my choice friends - Darwin Dower carved out some time for his hobby and it has now “…become his life and his living.” He does such amazing artistic renderings of family heirlooms and memories. And wow, is he getting popular and now famous. He is up in the range of $10-15,000 for each of his carvings and that ain’t bad for a profitable hobby.

I know that he treasures his time in his “studio” now and that is such a great blessing for all of us in our I&E Network. Before it is too late – discover a magnificent obsession. To have something so worthwhile as you head into those “golden” years is a very big deal. So, don’t put it off. Go check out our “masters circle” of artisans and masters. I’ll bet one of them is “doing something that you could fall in love with too. (www.profitablehobbies.com) As you get ready to “retire” too – think profitable hobby. When someone steps up to the plate and buys a unique piece of your artwork – there is almost no better compliment for any artist.

The Master In His Zone

I have watched Darwin’s career (if you can all it work when you are having this much fun) as a professional hobbist, and this WHOLE NEW WORLD has been quite a bit better than he expected when he first started. But that is how this hobby thing can wind its way into your life and your living and what a blessing…

It never feels like work – and that is the magic. So… if you are struggling with the “too busy” thing, just take a page out of our PROFITABLE HOBBY bible and get yourself involved with a great “hands-on” hobby. It will honestly feel just like an ordinary miracle. And there just isn’t anything you can do that will give you more back. than investing SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF. At least, not in this life time. Go check out Darwins Life and his magnificent artwork @ www.darwindower.com

I love “banging the drum and waving the flag” of my friends and their artwork, so if you have some great pictures of your own artwork, you can e-mail me and let me know what you love doing as your favorite great hobby – and you might consider joining our circle. and come attention my live weekly HOBBY ACTIVIST WEBCAST. As a “circle of talent” we are “going to cure” the starving artist syndrome – and that is a very worthy cause to join and support – don’t you think? Good basketball stars get millions when they perform well – and for some reason the world “loves artwork and collects it – and fills our museums up with it – BUT PAY A LITTLE EXTRA FOR IT…?

Go Visit Darwins Studio

Check us out. You should be inspired to learn how to do something just as great. Get in touch with the great Mr. Dower and then you will be ENCOURAGED as well. I&E is what our whole network is about, and it is becoming a very exciting thing in all of our lives. What a blessing to have such friends around me.

Thanks for all you contribute – Darwin.

LEW JENSEN

Firestarter & Conjurer

MARKETING YOUR ARTWORK… DR LEW JENSEN

Doctor Lew — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:12:40 +0000

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS IS A NEW ATTITUDE

Marketing your artwork is without a doubt one of the great challenges in life and living. And “if” is the “x” factor here. IF WHAT? What if artists bothered to learn how the marketplace actually “works.” Oh, my gosh – what a concept.

If you bother to learn how the TRADING (BUSINESS) GAME WORKS it has a signficantly higher chance of working – than not.

I am constantly amazed that artistically inclined people dream of “…making some money” with their talents and gifts and they deeply and passionately love producing the “works.” But when it comes to going after the marketplace – they not only don’t know much about how it works – the worst part is – they don’t make an ounce of effort to go after some skill in this world. NOT AN OUNCE.

Most artists could honestly tell a “wannabee artist type” that if any newbie wants to become a great at artist – that they are going to have to first learn to “draw” — drawing is the foundation of all art. And to be successful at art, you will need to “…practice, practice and practice.” WELL SAID I MIGHT ADD. You can read this idea in the written works of every great master of art – for the last five thousand years. SAID WELL I MIGHT ADD.

So… why isn’t it just as true (if your goal is to be paid well for your art) that you must get the foundation of business down. And it will probably take “…practice – practice and practice.” WELL SAID I MIGHT ADD.

And yet the most common thread in the entire “educational process” for art and artists development is…

YOU CANNOT BE BOTH GREAT AT ART AND GREAT AT BUSINESS

YOU MUST BE SOMEONE TO SELL YOU TO THE WORLD

And that is the mantra that all “educated” artists swallow. What a shame, and is it not the reason there are so many “…straving artists?”

So… the missing ingredient in artistic success is a reasonable degree of skill with the principles of business and enough understanding to at least make a modest income. Mastery of both the “SKILL IT TAKES TO PRODUCE GREAT ARTWORK” — and gradually acquiring the SKILL OF WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS — are both required.

AND THEY ARE BOTH DO-ABLE – VERY DO-ABLE. AND I MIGHT ADD – WELL SAID

COME SIT IN ON MY WEEKLY WEBINAR ON THE BUSINESS OF ART

DR LEW-LIVE – REGISTER AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG

It is free – fun – interesting and informative

If after 52 sessions with me (invest an hour a week for a year) if the business of art isn’t rubbing off of you, I will refund your money – k? Come join the round table of our ARTISTIC MASTERS ASSOCIATION and the INSPIRATION & ENCOURAGEMENT NETWORK We are helping each other climb the MOUNTAIN OF SUCCESS. Come see what all the fuss is about. How about a $15,000 carving hobby – turned into a business – like DARWIN DOWER – one of my greatest examples.

Helping artists learn the “business side” of art in the marketplace is now the MAJOR CRUSADE for the rest of my life. Art is the most valuable product in the world and it is a crying shame that most talented people can’t even make a basic living with the love of their life. Me (and my circle) are going to change that problem – it is war and I am declaring it on everyone who thinks that “…the staring artist” is an okay problem in this world – k? WELL SAID – I THINK

Dr. Lew

Firestarter & Conjurer

A LIKE-MINDED TEAM IMPROVES PERFORMANCE

Doctor Lew — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:00:14 +0000

CLIMBING BEYOND OUR PAST ABILITIES IS PERHAPS LIFE’S GREATEST TASK

THE COMPANY CREW

One of the great satisfactions is when someone is able to climb beyond what “they” previously thought they could accomplish. It has happened to me several times in my lifetime and as I dug back through those times, in every case, my degree of success was very dependant on “others” who were close enough to my own objectives — that it seems to me — they were the secret of my success.

Since the early days when I invented the ParaGraver, those who came along and have made such a success of their own artworks (with my tool) nothing I have done has made me more proud than the feelings our artistic circle has produced. For some reason it requires that this “special trade” needs to have the “…similar interest” component to it, to be most effective, but when a person is “fortunate 0r just plain lucky” to find those SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS – I think it is critical to lift ourselves beyond our past.

The simple fact is — none of us can go it alone — but I am not sure I have given enough credit where credit is due. The “trade” that I have tried to maintain and pay attention too — it to offer to “…climb that upgrading effort” together. After all, there is very little another person can do for the important part of life and living for another. It is all we can do to pull our own life uphill — much less another’s.

So, the “belonging” side of our I&E Network is the part that most interests me now. There is nothing else I have done that seems to carry more productive, and contributory than our “mix” with eachother. So, I can recommend, that if you are “new” and just crossing our pathway for the first time – stop here for a time – and find out our entire SEVEN STEP PROGRAM for going from a beginner – to a master of your preferred interest and talents. Maybe you would “fit in” well. The whole idea is to “mix” as much as possible the INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT part of artistic pathways.

OUR MISSION IS TO DESTROY THE STARVING ARTIST – TOGETHER.

Lew Jensen

Firestarter & Conjurer

FINDING OUR OWN GREAT TREASURE

Doctor Lew — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:51:26 +0000

COME VISIT FOR A WHILE

There are a lot of things we need to go after and accomplish in this life, but there is ONE that is profoundly important. Discovering within (finally) that we really do have some gifts and talents and the energy that comes from knowing finally – that our lives matter.

We each have something important to contribute and bring to the world, (a special gift from the heavens) but we just don’t often stay on task long enough to uncover what that great treasure amounts too – much less perfect and master it – so that we can contribute.

Most people sit on the sidelines of life and living and think to themselves that “…all the talented people in this world” — are the blessed ones. How come I didn’t get any talent?”

When the truth is – we all get some magical talents – but we miss them because we are all wrapped up in all the “…money we can make” — and “…all the co0l stuff we can buy” and we never even get INTO THE DISCOVERY – DEVELOPMENT – AND MASTERY of our gifts. And that is where the real satisfaction of life comes from – THE WORK THAT THE MASTERY PART REQUIRES.

Divinci said it best – IF PEOPLE KNEW HOW HARD THE MASTERY – THEY WOULD NOT THINK IT SO GREAT.

The fact that is so often over-looked is that as you master something you will be given back the gift of the gods – passion. And true passion for whatever you are doing is the real blessing of life. It is the great “overcoming” energy and the power to solve any problem. Nothing I have encountered in my life has been greater than “…the passion within my own soul” for what I am doing.

In the beginning of all new efforts, there is a level of “work” that is the true challenge of anything new that we go after. But as we become more adept at our new beginnings, we actually will find it easier and easier to accomplish as we continue to climb the mountain of success. And once a true passion for that task shows up, then the “work part” seems like a blessing and the climbing of any project is a blessing to us – not a curse.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE REQUIRED TO PAY A PRICE – BEFORE ANY TRESURE SHOWS UP

And maybe that is as is should be – committment – dedication – effort – first — AND THEN THE REWARD.

I PROMISE

Dr. Lew

Firestarter & Conjurer

THE SECOND YOU FINALLY DECIDE

Doctor Lew — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:28:06 +0000

SOMETHING INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT HAPPENS…

CARVING OUT A LIFESTYLE

From the moment you finally (and permanently) decide to do something important with your life, it seems like the entire universe aligns to support you. If you live so that you always have an out, or another option, not much comes along to help us. The choice, the decision and the commitment are the secret ingredient that is required of us. It is like “we have to put in the key” and turn the lock – then things start to open up and mere potential starts to turn into opportunity.

The famous German writer talked often about this very subject. He said it so well many years ago…

UNTIL ONE IS COMMITTED THERE IS HESITANCY,

ALWAYS A CHANCE TO DRAW BACK…

ALWAYS INEFFECTIVENESS.

CONCERNING ALL ACTS OF INITIATIVE AND CREATION,

THERE IS ONE ELEMENTARY TRUTH,

THE IGNORANCE OF WHICH KILLS MANY SPLENDID IDEAS

AND COUNTLESS PLANS: THE MOMENT ONE COMMITS ONESELF…

PROVIDENCE BEGINS TO MOVE TOO.

AFTER THAT MOMENT ALL SORTS OF THINGS BEGIN TO OCCUR

THAT WOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED.

A WHOLE STREAM OF EVENTS ISSUE FROM THE DECISION…

RAISING IN ONES FAVOR ALL MANNER OF UNFORESEEN INCIDENCES

AND MEETINGS AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH NO ONE

COULD HAVE DREAMT WOULD COME THEIR WAY.

JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE

Yes, it does make a significant difference when our entire heart and soul are invested in our efforts to climb any mountain of success. We can easily “…say that we are going to do something” but for some reason we always try to stay just short of the RISK that it requires to obtain any reward. Reward requires risk. You have heard the old standard statement when something more than just an idea is required…

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS

Most really worthwhile things I have tackled in my life have required first the fail safe type commitment and then the work part starts to go better. The good things in life and living are always “uphill” but it sure helps when the “journey” is working. Always. And perhaps “uphill” is just how it is going to be for all of eternity. Ultimately there are infinite options and for the “universe to support us” requires that we first and finally – make a decision. We seem to be like spoiled children and sorta/kinda want it all — and don’t want to “choose” — and yet to “master” anything (and hopefully we do it sooner than later) we must choose — and then stay with our choices – long enough so that they work out. To me that is success.

I think that some people think that they “limit themselves too much” when they attempt to focus their efforts, but in reality I think it works almost the opposite in my life. The more I have focused my efforts – the more unlimited my spirit and the opportunities seem to be from “my doing.” It is amazing but that is how it really works. So, let me encourage your “dedicated and committed doing” for anything that is important to you. Get your mindset fixed first, then take the opportunity turn in the road of life – and get yourself on the path that is way less traveled (OPPORTUNITY INTERSECTION) and it will end up being (for you too) the best decision in your life, and it will be oh-so-worth-it-all.

I PROMISE.

Lew Jensen
Firestarter & Conjurer

DREAMERS TOOL BOX

Doctor Lew — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:14:58 +0000

DREAMS GIVE PURPOSE AND PROVIDE DIRECTION

I have used my DREAMS to improve my industry and productivity in my life. And whenver I mention that etheiral word to some people I can tell they think that “dreaming” is foolish and that you are better off sticking to reality. But I strongly think otherwise.

Trying to go at life and living without a grand dream is the “foolish” part. Nothing motivates a persons doing and trying like a deep down dream. If you can keep a dream alive you can do anything.

I just went to the new Star Trek Movie and was just blown away at how good both the story and the acting was. And as the credits rolled up I thought how great it must feel for the author to have created a story that has been so popular and now to come back with the story of the “beginnings.” Jules Vern wrote about the “future” long before it became a reality and now I think that Star Trek is doing the same thing. The dream of what could be a reality is the seed that grows into what is reality.

I wonder just how much that is true.

I wrote out my entire life story at eighteen and now it is so close that it is almost unbelievable. And what some might consider a little “magic” I wonder if the real reason I have pulled so much of my dream into reality isn’t the fact that I have lived with something guiding my actions for all of my days. I think that is it – honestly.

If a great dream can help keep us focused, there is almost nothing that can do a better job of that – and if you perist with a grand dream – it will eventually become a reality.

AND THAT IS HOW THE FUTURE WORKS…

Lew Jensen firestarter & conjurer

SUCCESS MOUNTAIN

Doctor Lew — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:14:11 +0000

SUCCESS MOUNTAIN IS RIGHT THERE

IN FRONT OF YOU – WAITING TO BE CLIMBED

I know that I shouldn’t temp you beyond your ability to resist, but in my twenty-two thousand days of living and “playing” abudantly with my life and my living – I have come to a serious conclusion. THE GOOD THINGS IN THIS LIFE are all comparativly uphill – not found in the easy path downhill. So, early in my own quest for a greater degree of enjoyment and satisfaction for A QUALITY LIFESTYLE – I finally “hung up my dental drill” and retired early (way early) to pursue another form of drilling for profit from my new ParaGraving hobby. Little did I realize just how “profound” that “…other pathway less traveled would end up being for me. I think the same will be true for you. Perhaps that is all you have lacked thus far in your life.

Pick out a pathway that nobody else has gone, and create your own trail. It isn’t easy, but it ends up being “worth all the difference” in your life and your living. Promise.

HOW TO TRANSFORM BOTH YOUR LIFE AND YOUR LIVING

Doctor Lew — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:13:46 +0000

WHAT A DAY TO TRANSFORM OURSELVES – EASTER SUNDAY

There has been a lot happen in my life during the month of April. It certainly has moved to a place of significant attention by me. National Tax day that has now ended up as the Tea Party of this century.

I opened my dental office on the 15th in 1975. That lead to the April day that I first cut an eggshell. And that silly little action changed the entire course of the rest of my life. But then again, maybe everything happens for a reason – and what we are doing is simply DISCOVERING OURSELVES.

Wouldn’t that be something and – what if that is the entire reason we are here? And what if.. we have a promise to get to the center of our souls and “discover” our strengths – and over come our weaknesses? Oh, that is a huge WHAT IF… but a significant idea.

I feel blessed to go after a “new dream” even though I had invested all my years of formal education, I was easily the most unhappy dentist camper and when I started investing more in my “new hobby world” the difference for me personally was profound. I hated going to the clinic every day – I loved my time with new passionate hobby. How could I have gone any other way?

If you visit with anyone else who has found something to do – that they absolutely love doing (and they have also found a way to get paid well to do it) it is almost embarrasing because “work” isn’t supposed to be fun – ever. But when you find someone who does enjoy their work – they are generally few and far between, so besure to ask them how they “transformed their lives” as well and to a “person” they will tell you that what they did was “…pick up a thread of interest” and never let go. They climbed a mountain of their own choice and never gave up – never – never – never.

So… how do you find that thread of interest. I found a unique and powerful way to do that very thing. All though I started out my journal as a bit of an obsession, I gradually began to see that what I had “collected” in my journal was like a virtual mirror back on my interests. For years, I have collected what I call “zingers” and put them into one place. I call it my BUSINESS WORKING JOUNRAL. I made a sorta/kinda business plan (life & living) plan when I was young and I have enjoyed collecting for years, all the neat stuff I loved and dreamed about. Then, as I started to really spend even more time with this collection of my “interests” I started to see a pattern of the very things that I loved a great deal. And all I did when I began to “see” this pattern was lean my life that way.

Again, if you get into most people’s lives (those who have succeeded at something, the pattern is almost the same again.

A GREAT DREAM…

LEADS TO SOME HOPE…

WHICH LEADS TO SOME FAITH…

WHICH LEADS TO SOME TRYING AND DOING…

AND THAT EFFORT ALWAYS LEADS TO EXPERIENCE

WHICH IN TURN SHOULD BEGIN TO IMPROVE OUR JUDGEMENT

AND THAT MY FRIEND, WILL LEAD YOU TO TRUE CAPACITY…

Which, if you are in love with what you are doing – will produce results that are even “beyond” anything that you could ever imagine. I promise.

Dr. Lew A passionate prescription