When I was a little girl, I loved to draw. Most children do.

As Picasso famously said, every child is an artist.

The problem is how to remain one once he or she grows up.

When an adult would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d always answer without hesitation, “An artist.”

My major in college was graphic design.

At least that was the plan.

Until I was paired with a crabby old adviser. I’ll call him Professor Killjoy.

One day, I had my regular quarterly meeting with him. He said six words that completely rocked my world.

“Have you thought about another major?”

WHAT?  Another major? No, you crusty joyless bird…  I haven’t! This is what I’ve wanted to do all my life!  And you sit there delivering this judgment in the most boring voice, cruelly indifferent that you’re crushing the life out of the soul of someone who trusts you to give good advice. Not a death sentence! 

At least that’s what I wanted to say to him. But I didn’t.

I was a young. Impressionable.

A nineteen-year-old who didn’t quite believe in her own magic.

So I switched majors. I spent some time in marketing but ended up switching again to communications.

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Years later, as I acquired more skills and confidence, I re-connected with my art and found joy in it.  And then computers came along and made graphic design a lot more accessible.

The Cowboy introduced me to Serif software (a UK brand and as far as I’m concerned, a brilliant alternative to Adobe’s pricey products).

I bought the desktop publishing software and the drawing studio software and… Katie, bar the door!

Today I offer my clients not only copy, but design and formatting.

Yeah, Professor Killjoy. I’m doing graphic design and getting paid for it. Take that, you old  crusty bird!

Okay. All fun aside, the lesson here is that whatever is in your heart to do… do it.

Don’t allow anyone to tell you no.

Or that it’s impossible.

Or that you’re too old.

Or no one has ever done it before so why do you think you can?

Ignore them.

The great inventors in the world were constantly told no.

They were often told what they wanted was impossible.

Like Henry Ford.

He wanted a single casting  V-8 engine the average Joe could afford.

His engineers said it couldn’t be done.

Ford’s response?  Keep trying.

He had the vision and assumed since he had it, then it must have been possible.

So what’s your vision?  Today, go after that with everything you’ve got.

If you need someone to check in with, and who won’t kill your dreams, schedule a chat.

I guarantee you I’ll give you some BHAG gold.

That stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goals.

No other kind worth having. ;-)

Prodding you to knock it outta the park…
—–
Do you want more clients? Better clients? Click here to subscribe to my list and learn how!