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| The Freelance
Writer's Guide to Feng Shui and the Zen of Marketing By Sandra Smith "Fear of Marketing" is probably incurable, but I can help you alleviate the symptoms if you follow the methods described in this article. I recently finished a major assignment and panicked because I didn't have any paying jobs in the pipeline. What did I do? I cleaned house, cooked large batches of soup, researched articles that may never be published this century, emptied my to-do basket, checked email every 20 minutes, and read everything I could get my hands on. You get the idea. You don't get procrastination points if you can't devise a sensible, albeit misguided, reason for the activity. The Art and Philosophy of Feng Shui  Then a friend came to the rescue. She loaned me a book that would
solve all my problems. The Western Guide to Feng Shui Room by Room by Terah Kathryn
Collins opened my eyes to wondrous and creative procrastination possibilities. When I need answers, I always turn to books.The first sentence defines Feng Shui as "the study of how to arrange your environment to enhance the quality of your life." Hot dog. I learned a few pages later that my ch'i (vital energy) was definitely constricted. No wonder I couldn't settle down and attract the kind of money to which I'd like to become accustomed. I turned a few more pages and the phrase "Passive Chaos: Creativity Lost in Clutter" caught my attention. "Creativity languishes on the cluttered desktop, in the chaotic kitchen, and on the junky back porch." When did Collins visit my house? I next spotted a Bagua Map that charts what areas of my home are associated with which blessings. Knowledge and self-cultivation; career, helpful people and travel; creativity and children; center, earth; health and family, love and marriage; fame and reputation; and wealth and prosperity areas are defined. I quickly drew a rough floor plan and overlaid the Bagua Map over it. To my immeasurable horror, I discovered my wealth and prosperity area was located in the messiest corner of my home. It was filled with everything I didn't know what to do with-- old furniture, out-of-season clothes, wrapping paper, and whatever. Now I had something to DO. But first I had to clean up a few small items to clear so I could concentrate on the real work. What did I do instead of picking up the phone to make cold calls? And I must admit that all this activity was so I didn't have to pick up the phone. I organized 30 years' worth of photographs; cleaned up visible clutter; straightened up my over-stacked bookshelves; and called friends and family to tell them what I was doing. Next I tackled the back room. By the time I finished, I found an aquamarine ring and a garnet necklace and earrings that had been missing for six months. I cleaned, dusted, rearranged, and wrote the recommended affirmation. "With joy and gratitude, I welcome an abundance of positive people and experiences into my life, now and always. I am rich and prosperous in every way, and blessed with a constant and abundant flow of health, wealth, and happiness." I sighed deeply and rested from my labors. I then walked from room to room, upstairs and downstairs, and reveled in my slightly aching muscles. To my surprise, I was ready to begin marketing and writing. My surroundings were tranquil and so was my head. I'm not sure how much was a placebo effect, I only know it worked. I spent the rest of the weekend balancing elements and yin and yang and analyzing color choices. There is a Lesson Here, Oh Grasshopper The following Monday I accomplished more marketing than I had during the previous two weeks. I reestablished contact with old clients, and came up with an idea that would generate more business from an existing client. I started a list of current projects and tracked status. In other words, I organized my work to match my surroundings. Every couple of hours, I stopped for five minutes and put things away. There's more work to do before I'm satisfied. It seems each individual room can be organized by Feng Shui principles. My office is next. It's difficult because of all the electronic equipment and space issues. I've been told that if my office were correctly balanced, it would be easier to keep it neat. For instance, it's bad ch'i to sit with your back to a door. I would guess that many offices are set up that way. Because I'm a writer, I believe in symbolism and metaphor. In my opinion, Feng Shui is a method of organizing by symbolism. It's also a lot of fun. And I learned, yet again, how strongly intention counts. I intend to become more creative and productive. I intend to attract new clients. I intend to become better at focusing my energies so these intentions can be realized. My friends were astonished that I could be interested in something as esoteric as Feng Shui. But I'm prepared to add any device to my writer's toolbox that works. Feng Shui is a device to help me accomplish my unwritten goals. In the process, I'm learning more about myself and how I work. The next step, kicking and screaming the whole way, will be to write those goals down. Sandra is a freelance writer and graphic designer. Visit her website at http://www.pagesmith.net. |
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