innovation
Why Achieving Your Dreams is More Possible in Today's World Than Ever!
I've been thinking a lot lately about systems of old and how they use to hold us back from reaching for our dreams. For
instance, if you wanted to publish a book, you had to write a query letter and be at the mercy of sometimes limited thinking publishing companies.
Or if you wanted to make a film or documentary, you had to run around like a wild person and plead for a production company or studio to help bring your project to life.
In the case you were an innovator, you had to find distributors and try to convince them that your product was worthy.
Fast forward to late 2011 and now we have the ability to be our own publishers, our own production companies, and product distributors via our personal computers. Yeeehawww! Now that's a lot of power to hold!! The only thing that limits us is our outlook, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Let's take my three above scenarios to reveal what an amazing age we are living in...
1. Writing and publishing a book. The first step is to write your heart out. Second, is to create a simple blog or Website, open a Paypal or Google Checkout account, and learn how to post your book with link to purchase via Paypal or Google Checkout. Third, create e-book publisher accounts on Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other key publishers. Once you've finished your book and edited it carefully, you can post it on your Website and/or within various online stores and advertise it via Google and social media. Done!
In the case that your e-book goes bananas and sells millions of copies, publishers will be knocking down your door. In today's world, chasing a publisher may take years...now we can do it ourselves! The secret is to just get your work out there and get eyeballs on it, rather than letting it sit on your computer hard drive until you're old and gray.
2. Make a movie. The same is true where movies and documentaries are concerned. Invest your time and effort into creating something that people will love. Give the world a teaser...and then sell your movie via iTunes or your savvy Website. You can even get creative and go after product placement deals within your movie...you'll just need to prove that potentially millions of eyeballs will see your flick. The sky is the limit!
3. Releasing a new product. The key is to fill a need for humanity. If you think your product idea has the ability to solve problems and/or inspire people, the only thing that limits you is your ability to promote it. Thanks to the Web, it is possible to launch a new product within moments once it's been produced.
Throughout my marketing career, I've learned that there are many amazing products out there...but...if the marketing effort isn't there...they tend to fade into oblivion. Beyond delivering innovative, high-quality products, we must find the right method for advertising and marketing. Once a product starts selling in masses, distributors will be knocking down the door to become a part of our visions.
As the new year approaches, think deeply on how you can improve the lives of others...follow your passions...and open your eyes to possibility! Looking for help in guiding your vision, I'd love to assist you...e-mail me at jen@projectbebold.com. Also, feel free to scroll down and comment below to share your ideas and thoughts!
Have a beautiful day!
Jen Engevik
Project BE Bold
Do Do Do What You Have to Do!
Yesterday I was lucky enough to experience an amazing concert in Gothenburg, Sweden that included Coldplay and The Ark, a Swedish band. Both acts were amazing as Coldplay's Chris Martin and The Ark's Ola Salo revealed their passions for song and expression. As I watched from about 30 feet from the stage surrounded by wildly excited fans who practically jumped out of their shoes (including me for sure!) while inspired songs rang out under blue skies, I couldn't help but think about purpose and dreams.
We human beings crave the ability to share what lies deeply within our hearts. We have things we need to say, things we need to do...and yet...sadly we all too often don't make it happen. Our dreams lay buried within and the next thing we know we can barely breathe.
In one of my favorite songs of the night, Ola Salo shared that "it takes a fool to remain sane." This hits home because the minute we give up on our creative spirit and what makes us unique in an effort to become conventional in every sense of the word, our sanity begins to slip. Salo's words then shifted to what would happen if he were to bury his dreams: "I'll become like the others who become unhappy mothers and fathers of unhappy kids....because they have forgotten to play...or maybe they are afraid to feel ashamed...to seem strange...to seem insane..."
The world we know was built by the "insane." Those who said it could be done when everyone else assumed it was impossible. It is easy to forget that there are visionaries behind the things we cherish...from the pyramids to our favorite cities to the arts. It is easy to take innovation for granted as we live our safe and convenient lives. The bold are those who listen to what is within...and in the words of Salo "do do do what you want to do...don't think twice...do what you have to do....do do do do let your heart decided what you have to do."
What do you want to do? Have you found yourself buried and unable to breathe because you have forced yourself to forget? Salo says "take it to the stage...with a multicolored jacket...with your hair dyed red and blue...and then do do do what you have to do."
Wishing you a beautiful day!
- Jen Engevik
Project Be Bold