Creating Abundance (from Right Where You Are)

The more I read about success, and about creating wealth and abundance, the more I come across the same information over and over again.  It's as though all of the answers are right there for us, available at any time.  The trick is to actually act on the wisdom that is provided.

When I moved to Austin, I found myself in a difficult financial situation.  I had very little money, I hardly knew anybody, and I was trying to be a professional artist, but I had no foundation to stand on.  All of the information that I was consuming told me to feel abundant, to act abundant, to give freely, and that these things would come flowing back to me.  But it is difficult to create these feelings when you are coming from a place of lack and scarcity.  So how do people make the transition from one to the other?

It comes down to one simple word:  gratitude.  Do you ever wonder why some very wealthy people are miserable and unsatisfied, while some on the 'poorest' people in the world are smiling and enjoying every day?  Gratitude.  To quote Zig Ziglar again "you must adopt an attitude of gratitude".  Each day, focus your energy on what you do have.  Focus your energy on all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon you, give thanks for all that you have, and more blessings will surely come your way.

This is a magical formula because it works from wherever you are, as long as you adopt it with regular and determined focus.  Each day I give thanks for my wonderful family and friends, for my amazing partner, for my healthy body, for the roof over my head, the air that I breathe, and the food and water I have access to.  I give thanks for the opportunity to pursue my passions, to work from home, to work while traveling, and to be a professional artist.  I give thanks if the sun is shining, if the sky is filled with clouds, or if rain is pouring from the heavens.    I give thanks for the talents that I have been given, and for the chance to develop new ones.  I give thanks for the seas and the plains, the mountains and the rivers, for the sun and the moon, for the stars above and the earth that I stand on.  Each and every breathe that I take is a blessing, and I vow not to take that for granted any more.

So with that, I would like to say thank you.  For reading this far on my blog post, for supporting me along my journey, and for being who you are every day.  Thank you.

Love,

Alec

My links:

Spongebob "Attitude of Gratitude"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eywmvk04TRM

My Art Website:
www.alecfallehamilton.com

Boost Your Online Value:
http://thesfm.com/alecfallehamilton?pg=video-series&t=the8figureartist-help_people

Help as Many People as Possible

I have always wanted to help other people.  I feel that I am a good listener and a good friend.  However, It's very easy to get distracted by money.  If you are in survival mode, if you are living paycheck to paycheck, how can you spend meaningful time helping other people?

For some time, I became obsessed with getting rich.  I though that I deserved to be wealthy, and was frustrated that it was not happening for me yet.  Then I heard Zig Ziglar speaking about "value to society".  He says that your earnings are in direct proportion to the amount of value that you provide to society.  This hit me hard, because I was struggling with money, I was unable to amass savings, and I was not getting paid highly.  I also objected in some ways.  For instance, public school teachers are quite low on the pay scale, but they are obviously providing a great service to society.  What we have to consider here is the going rate for your services, and the people who you are serving.  Public school teachers are not getting paid highly because they are serving children, and they are doing it for free.  They will never exceed the going rate for the service which they are providing.

Therefore, if you are in a business with a limited income potential, your income will always be limited.  Simple enough.  With this in mind, I am expanding my offerings so that I can help more people.  If I am only selling paintings, I will always be limited by the number of paintings that I can create, and the market value of my work.  I am expanding my online presence so that more people will be able to enjoy my artwork, and more people will be able to own and share it if they like what they see.  I have started promoting affiliate offers so that I can create residual income from the traffic that my websites generate.  I have started creating blog posts and youTube videos to create a larger following, and to share my voice with people all over the world.  If you believe in what I am doing, I invite you to share and follow these efforts, and I will be happy to do the same for you.  But that's not the point of this blog post.

What I am driving towards is this:  How can I help you?  I was born to serve humanity, and to create beauty and love in this world (My name literally means 'helper of mankind').  With that in mind, I am offering a Free, 30 day Life Improvement course for the first 8 people to sign up.  What does that mean?

What I've found is that Self-Improvement is greatly enhanced by accountability.  If you are on your own, and nobody cares what you are working towards, then it can be quite the uphill struggle.  If you don't know what you are working towards, it is basically impossible.  I am offering to be there for you, help you clarify your goals, and encourage you towards that progress that you wish to achieve.  Completely free, because I care.  Here's what it includes specifically:

2 Phone consultations

2 Email consultations

1 Life Improvement Work Sheet

1 Goal Setting Work Sheet

2 Publications of your goals on my Inspiration TurboCharge page (optional)

1 Summary + Future Action Plan

Again, I am only providing this service (for Free) to 8 people this month.  First come, first serve.

I wish you great success in your endeavors, and I hope to hear from you!

Alec

My links:

Artist Website:
www.alecfallehamilton.com

Work from Home blog:
http://eightfigureartist.com/2015/06/03/book-review-the-science-of-getting-rich/

Other art products (duvet covers, pillows, cell phone cases etc.):
http://instaprints.com/featured/lucifers-hummingbird-over-heart-chakra-mandala-alec-falle-hamilton.html

5 Steps to Success Online:
http://thesfm.com/alecfallehamilton?pg=video-series&t=the8figureartist-help_people

Taking the Leap

There I stood, at the top of a magnificent cliff, overlooking the Colorado River.  The water was shimmering in the afternoon sunlight.  I was standing near the edge with Ethan Black.  A familiar rush of energy was coursing through my body.  The feeling that comes just before you jump.  I know this feeling well, as I have made a habit of jumping from high places into water, and executing flips and spins to make it more interesting.  It's something that I have been drawn to since I was a child.  I taught myself to do backflips off of picnic tables and cars, showing off for my friends and getting a rush of adrenaline.

This leap was different.  It was an iconic cliff above Radium Hot Springs, a prominent outcropping, looming fifty-some feet above the water.  It felt like an Olympic diving platform.  And people are watching.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I couldn't resist.  I knew I would land, feet first in the water, and I knew that I could die if I made a serious mistake.  But I gave no attention to that fear.  I had nothing but a laser focus on my actions.  I planned out the steps I was going to take, across the uneven rocks, towards the edge of the cliff.  To execute a gainer (jumping forwards and flipping backwards), it is important that you have the correct forward momentum, and the appropriate speed of rotation.  This was the first time that I jumped from this spot, and I had only my previous experience to guide these judgements.

I looked over the edge once, and then again, making sure that there were no boats or swimmers (another useful piece of info from my past).  Then I prepared to jump.  I took swift and purposeful steps towards the edge and took off.  Time slowed down as I began my rotation.  I looked for the water, and remember hearing people in the hot tub screaming and making noise.  I completed my rotation with time to spare, and hit the water in a solid landing position.  I popped out of the water to hear mild applause, and some dude saying "whoa, I didn't expect you to do a gainer dude."  I felt the rush of gratitude and relief.  Safe and sound in the cool water of the Colorado.  I climbed back up the rock staircase, feeling like a champion, and continued on having one of the best days ever.

Thanks for reading & Lots of Love,

Alec Falle Hamilton

My links:

www.alecfallehamilton.com

eightfigureartist.com

Work from anywhere and build your dream life:

http://thesfm.com/alecfallehamilton?pg=ready-for-change&t=cl-mailreply

What's Holding Me Back? (Personal confessions from behind the Rose Colored Glasses)

I'm going to go ahead and put this on the internet.  As I become more open and honest, I find my obstacles dissipating before my eyes.  I've found that many of these obstacles are self-created.  And that seems ridiculous.  Could it really be true that most of the difficulties in my life are there because I have put them there (or allowed them to stay)?  Here's a quick list of what was holding me back:

1.  Denial.  This one is a doozy.  #LibraProblems.  This is what I'm talking about with the Rose colored glasses.  I want to see the world as perfect and beautiful, and I want to be content with my situation all the time.  Now, this viewpoint has certainly brought some happiness into my life, but it has also prevented me from changes.  My life is not perfect.  In order to make improvements, I had to see the areas where I was not satisfied.  And that's what this post is all about.

2.  Overindulgence. #LibraProblems.  I just love the finer things in life.  I love to eat out, buy nice things, indulge in alcohol, caffeine, sugar and the finest legal Marijuana.  Often times I will combine all of them in one day/night!  Now, I'm not saying that any of these things are evil, or that they must be cut off entirely, but what is the pleasure in treating yourself, if you are constantly treating yourself.  Then it is just addiction.  And let me tell you, it's not worth it.  Do the work first!  Create what you want to create, work hard every day, and then the fine wine will taste that much sweeter (if that's what you're into.)

3.  Impatience.  I want to get rich and I want it now.  How many times has that worked for anybody?  I've changed my tune.  I am building my art empire from the ground up, laying the foundation for a magnificent structure.  I will continue working on it from this day, until the day I die.  It is not just my job, it is my life.

4.  Not doing the Dirty Work.  This reminds me of one of my great mentors, Mike Nickels, owner of Camp Palawopec.  Mike is a stoic man, soft spoken and hard working.  He has been leading generations of young people at his beautiful camp, and he mostly leads by example.  He has a team of employees who will always do exactly what he asks of them, and yet he still shovels the shit.  He is a true leader, because he is in the trenches, working for the cause, not sitting in the A/C giving orders.

Now, I love having fun, hanging out with friends, and spending time skiing and mountain biking.  Those things are great, but there is other work to be done.  In the past I have put off simple tasks (like working on my website, scheduling a doctor's appt., doing the dishes or cleaning my bathroom) for months.  Recently, I've found that taking care of these nagging chores can really free up the mental space that is needed to move forward.  Don't be like the cow, sheltering his face from the wind.  Be like the buffalo, meeting adversity head on.

5.  Fear.  As Teddy Roosevelt famously said "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."  I say, don't even fear fear itself.  Just meet every day and every moment with Love, then the opposite will never even rest in your mind.  I will publicly admit that I have missed opportunities, and sometimes even failed to try at all, because of the fear of failure.  I will not accept this anymore.  And that brings me to another quote.  "Do or do not.  There is no try." -Yoda

I resolve to work on myself, every day, from this day forward, and I invite you to join me!  Post, share, leave comments and follow my blog.  I will follow you back because I care.

Here are my links for the day

Yoda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ4yd2W50No

Start Working from Home and Create the Freedom you Deserve
http://thesfm.com/alecfallehamilton?t=FB1

My Art Website
www.alecfallehamilton.com

Lots of Love,

Alec

Goal Setting (Structured Empowerment)

If you've known me for a while, you will know that I have set some ridiculous "goals".  I had this perception that if I just continued shooting higher and higher, I would eventually get the things that I was asking for.  I believe in the manifestation powers of creation, and I was just putting my desires out there.  What was often missing was specificity.

Setting specific, quantifiable goals is the key to achieving real results.

For instance, in the past I set the goal of being a professional mountain biker.  I trained and raced with passion and intensity.  However,  I did not target events, I did not structure my training, and I did not define what being a professional racer actually meant for me.  And, if I quantify that goal as receiving monetary compensation for bike racing, then I was successful.  I won money in bike races, and I raced in the "pro/open" category.  Now, was I a real, full time pro with sponsorship deals and a race budget?  Would other bike racers consider me a pro?  Definitely not.  So what happened?  My goal was too vague.  It is hard to measure my success in this endeavor, because I did not define it in the first place.

It's so easy to set vague goals like "I want to make more money".  Well certainly that has come true.  I will definitely continue to make "more money".  The question is, how much do I require to fulfill my dreams?  How do I want to earn the money?  When do I want to earn it by?

With these thoughts in mind, I've decided to be more efficient with my goal setting.  I am creating short term, medium term and long term goals.  They are clear and quantifiable.

Here are a couple of them...

Give thanks for my the great wealth and abundance in my life.  Every day.

Take a road trip to the Northwest with Lindsay.  See and photograph Orcas.

Book my first solo Art show "Spirit Animal Guides".

Generate a Five Figure, consistent monthly income by the end of 2015.

Take every action with Love (not fear)

I could go on and on with this, but I am planning to post my bucket list, and to encourage others to do the same, so I'll save that content for next time.  I'm interested to see what everybody is working towards!

All the best,

Alec

5 steps to Success Online:
http://thesfm.com/alecfallehamilton?t=FB1

Tony Robbins Goal Setting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wAO2qWFgmI

The latest from my Artist Website:
www.alecfallehamilton.com

Book Review: The Science of Getting Rich

The Science of Getting Rich

by Wallace D. Wattles

Have you read The Secret?  Have you thought about the Law of Attraction, or experimented with it in your own life?  What happened?  How much time and energy did you put into attracting your goals and visions?

Throughout my life, I have made use of the Law of Attraction, but mainly for small things.  I have acquired some beautiful bicycles, a Steel Rhino (PT Cruiser), good jobs, many awesome friends, and even a Loving partnership.  (I literally wished in a wishing well, many times over!)  But, without truly realizing what I was doing, I was also attracting financial scarcity.  

I kept my mind on feelings of lack, and the perception that I would always be struggling and saving to have enough money.  I did not believe that I could be financially abundant, and therefore, I could not be financially abundant (until I flipped the switch).  

I changed the fundamental way in which I think and act, and I swiftly begun to attract the abundance that I needed to fulfill my destiny.  Each day, instead of waking and worrying about how I am going to pay rent, or make enough for my bills, I begin my morning with a powerful vision.  I sit with a glass of water, breathe deeply, and thank all of creation for the many blessings that I have received and will receive.  I am filled with gratitude as I envision the beautiful future that I am creating.  I am excited to get up and start working on my visions, and I have power and energy to take me through to the wee hours of the morning.  My heart is overflowing with Love for my beautiful partner Lindsay, for my wonderful friends and family, and for the opportunity to live another day on this heavenly planet.  

Simply adopting these practices has attracted many new opportunities in my life, it has brought people and ideas to me in abundance, and it has filled my soul with the purpose that it so desperately needed.

Wallace D. Wattles (I just love that name) wrote about these principles long ago.  I believe in the 1930's, although my ebook doesn't have a date on it.  And the fact is, these ideas have been around for far longer than that, and they have been safeguarded to keep them out of the hands of evil doers (Hence "The Secret").  But these days, with the power of the internet, these ancient secrets are coming into the collective consciousness.

His book is simple and straightforward, an easy, but powerful read.  For some, it has too much talk of Faith and God, but I say label these powers what you will.  If you choose to put the system to work in your life, you will begin to see changes within a short period of time.  You will attract the vibration that you are transmitting.  In order to move forward, we must always be making progress ourselves (nobody will do it for you).  In order to have riches, we must transmit the frequency of abundance ourselves (or we will attract nothing but more scarcity).

"Man must form a clear and definite mental image of the things he wishes to have, to do, or to become; and he must hold this mental image in his thoughts, while being deeply grateful to the Supreme that all his desires are granted to him. The man who wishes to get rich must spend his leisure hours in contemplating his Vision, and in earnest thanksgiving that the reality is being given to him. Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of frequent contemplation of the mental image, coupled with unwavering faith and devout gratitude. This is the process by which the impression is given to the Formless, and the creative forces set in motion. "

Every man and woman deserves to have what they require to fulfill their souls purpose.  Every human can achieve this transformation, if they have the faith and vision to manifest their desires.  Do not be skeptical, do not be afraid, proceed bravely towards your dreams.  The path will reveal itself to you.

YouTube audiobook:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadExa-5PWc

5 Steps to Success Online:
http://thesfm.com/alecfallehamilton?t=FB1

My new and improved website:
www.alecfallehamilton.com

Thanks for stopping by!  Much Love, 

Alec

How to Make Money as an Artist

Step One:  Be an Artist

If you want to be a full-time artist, you must devote your time to this specific goal.  This means creating work, marketing, promotion, sales, and let's not forget, marketing.  There are very few jobs in this world that will pay you before you do the work, being an artist is no different.  If you continue to create quality content, people will start to buy your work.  If you make one awesome painting, and then wonder why nobody is buying it, you're going to stay stuck.  Create until your house is overflowing with art.  Create valuable content, and you will begin to see returns.  Study and practice your craft diligently.  You are an artist, every day of the week.  24/7/365

Step Two:  Work Towards Your Goals (every day!)

Consistent and persistent effort will yield consistent results.  Random and sporadic efforts will create sporadic results.  Ask yourself, where do I want to be in one year?  Five Years?  Ten Years?  Twenty Years?  If your long-term vision is clear, the short term steps will reveal themselves.  Spend time envisioning your goals every single day.  Imagine them as though you have already achieved them.

Step Three:  Promote Yourself

You are your most powerful ally, your number one agent, and your best hope for the future.  First of all, when asked what you do, Artist comes first.  People are always interested to hear what an artist does.  But you only have a narrow window to grab their attention.  So when people ask you "What kind of art do you do?", what do you say?  "ugggh, acrylic and watercolor."  "oh, lots of random things", "I'm all over the place."  What kind of impression does that give?  It tells them that you are not a professional, you are not interesting, or you don't really know what you do.  This can be one of the most difficult things to figure out when you are getting started.  Look within.  Find your style, figure out how to explain it in an engaging way, and have reliable avenues to show your art.  As soon as somebody is asking me about my work, I have an explanation, a business card (links to my websites), and pictures of my work on my phone.  Now I will not show all of those things at once (you don't won't to appear desperate), but they are all available, whenever I am in public and meeting new people.

Pricing your work is very important as well.  If your pricing system is confusing, unavailable, or inconsistent, it can turn off potential buyers.  It should be as clear as possible, available online, and consistent with your current level as an artist.  For instance, even if you are going to be a world famous artist (which I am planning to do), you still can't sell a $10,000 painting when you are starting off.  Your market value isn't there yet.  Start small.  I recommend small framed pieces for $100-$250. Gain some momentum, build the value of your art, and the next thing you know, you'll be selling paintings for over $1000.

Great ways to promote yourself:  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Art Galleries, Festivals, Art Fairs, etc.  The more exposure the better.  It is your job as an artist to share your work with the world!  And it's so much fun.  Everybody loves good art.  Enjoy the process and start building your following.

Step Four:  Keep Working

Successful careers are made with long-term, consistent effort, not with short cuts or publicity stunts (although they can be useful, think Dali, Hirst, Koons etc).   As Arnold (The Governator) once said, Some people, they think that they need 8,9 hours of sleep every night, but I say that they must sleep faster.  How many hours a day to you spend working towards your goals?  How many more could you spend?  Let's step it up together.  Take it to the next level.

Step Five:  Giving Back

Give as much as you can, whenever you can.  When I first started selling art, I was kind of pushy.  I would offer it again and again, always trying to sell my paintings anywhere and everywhere.  Again, you don't want to appear desperate, and you don't want to repel your customers.  People love to buy, but they don't like to be "sold".  You sell your art by presenting your art, not by "selling" your art.  A great way to create repeat customers is by giving them something for free.  If you are a visual artist, giveaway prints, or stickers or magnets.  Something small but desirable.  My great friend Forrest Lee has taught me all about this.  He has a world-wide following with his crystal jewelry on Instagram.  And he just keeps giving and giving and giving.  It is a beautiful exchange of energy, and everybody wins!  They receive a cool piece of art, and in return, they give you cheap advertising.  The more people that see your work, the better.  I've also started buying work from other artists.  I used to have the mindset that I didn't need other art.  I make enough art to fill my house, so I have no need to purchase it from other artists.  How very wrong I was.  How can I expect other people to buy my work, if I am unwilling to purchase any art myself?  Art is one of the most valuable and positive things that you can spend money on.  It lasts for a very long time, it brings more beauty into your life, and your money helps the artist to create more art.

Recently I have started working with a marketing training academy.  Here is great link for aspiring digital entrepreneurs (artistic or otherwise).  The internet has massive (infinite) potential for selling and promoting your work.  Let's go forth, and create the lives that we dream of!


Damien Hirst on youTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvdqtA85zTA

5 Step to Success Online

http://thesfm.com/alecfallehamilton?t=FB1

Alec Falle Hamilton

www.alecfallehamilton.com

spirit_animal_guides on Instagram.