This week on Finish It! Friday, Jim Krause joins the fray. He cops to coming up with a few bad ideas along the way and working slowly at times. Since he’s decided writer’s/designer’s block doesn’t exist, Jim never gets stuck. I know, I know. I had my doubts, too, until I got face to face with his approach during the interview. Feel it for yourself while you watch this video:

Can’t see this 4:48 minute long video? Click here.

I’d love to hear your finishing struggles, tips and stories in the comments below.

- – -

Spread Jim’s wisdom with these easy to tweet morsels:

There are infinite # of possibilities, you just need one. Jim Krause w/ @dyanavalentine http://bit.ly/v764vm #howlive

Get to work, buck up. Jim Krause on Finish It! Friday with @dyanavalentine http://bit.ly/v764vm #howlive

Refuse to accept that writer’s block exists (like Jim Krause does). @dyanavalentine http://bit.ly/v764vm #howlive

- – -

Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks to talk about finishing what they started. We keep it short & sweet. I capture their answers on video. And you get a direct sight line into their mind’s eye.

It’s the same three questions, every time:

1. Do you finish everything you start?
2. How do you get unstuck when you’re having trouble finishing?
3. What are you really, really, REALLY good at?

Are you struggling to finish what you start? Are you a masterful finisher? Or somewhere in between? I’d love to play with you! Join me as a Finish It! Friday guest by emailing me at: info@dyanavalentine.com

Related posts:

1. redefine finish. Freelance writer, blogger, and enthusiasm addict, Michelle Nickolaisen is pretty...
2. don’t measure your worth based on what you finish. Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks...
3. get out of your chair. Conceptual portrait photographer, educator, author, and radio show host, Michael...

Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks to talk about finishing what they started. We keep it short & sweet. I capture their answers on video. And you get a direct sight line into their mind’s eye.

It’s the same three questions, every time:

1. Do you finish everything you start?
2. How do you get unstuck when you’re having trouble finishing?
3. What are you really, really, REALLY good at?

This week, we’ve got Kate Swoboda aka Kate Courageous of Your Courageous Life. Kate pads her time to keep from stressing out over deadlines. Most importantly she teaches us not to measure your worth based on what you finish.

Can’t see this 5 minute long video? Click here.

- – -

More of Kate’s tidbit morsels (perfectly portioned for tweeting) are:

Pad your time. If your deadline is Fri. make a personal deadline for Weds. @katecourageous @dyanavalentine http://bit.ly/​qe4Rgf

You are more than what you finish. Don’t measure your worth by what you finish. @katecourageous @dyanavalentine http://bit.ly/​qe4Rgf

When you are stuck and out of juice, just let it go. @katecourageous @dyanavalentine http://bit.ly/​qe4Rgf

Are you struggling to finish what you start? Are you a masterful finisher? Or somewhere in between? I’d love to play with you! Join me as a Finish It! Friday guest by emailing me at: info@dyanavalentine.com

Please leave your finishing struggles, tips and stories in the comments.

Related posts:

1. Finish It! Friday with Leigh Morlock Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks...
2. redefine finish. Freelance writer, blogger, and enthusiasm addict, Michelle Nickolaisen is pretty...
3. Finish It! Friday with Bindu Wiles Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks...

My fabulous friend, Amy Ahlers, wrote a booty kicking book called Big Fat Lies Women Tell Themselves. She’s also doing a Big Fat Lies Summit- a series of conference calls where some pretty terrific and insightful human beings (*ahem*, I’m on the list) join Amy to cop to the biggest lies they’ve ever told themselves.

One of my top lies-I-told-myself lived in the “I’m too loud, pushy, nosy and bossy” room. I was hiding out from this (and other lies) for a really long time and still bump up against one or two (or five).

I shifted my I’m Too MUCH lie during my first identity branding experience with Steve Gordon at RDQLUS Creative. Steve took me through the identity process of designing my logo, choosing my color scheme and having my logo represent me instead of a company name. The result–I put the “I’m too … loud, pushy, nosy, bossy” idea (because really, it’s NOT a lie) on a brightly lit marquee, with pride, instead of ducking it at every turn.

So, now it’s your turn. How do you fill in the “I’m too …” blank? And what are the biggest, fattest lies you’ve ever told yourself? Leave a comment, tweet about it (see below), post this on Facebook—do whatever gets the truth out there.

BUY THE BOOK

———

Help your friends talk their walk and cut, paste & post these insta-tweets:

What was @DyanaValentine hiding out from? Find out: http://bit.ly/ojEQmi #bigfatlies

Is @DyanaValentine too loud, pushy, nosy or bossy? Find out what she thinks: http://bit.ly/ojEQmi #bigfatlies

Yes, @DyanaValentine gets excited when someone says she’s TOO loud/bossy/nosy: http://bit.ly/ojEQmi #bigfatlies

Related posts:

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Here is an annoyingly long list of questions to help you figure out if your pitch, bio, elevator speech or hi-how-are-you intro are working:

How do you feel when you deliver your spiel? Does a bullsh*t warning bell go off inside when you’re talking or are you having a blast and feel great?

Do you hesitate when someone asks what you do? You’re the only one who knows but if you’re feeling awkward, you can bet the people you’re talking to are picking up on it. NB: we are all beasts. Don’t let the technology fool you. Our inner beasts get to talking–if you yawn, I yawn. If you are freaking out like a chipmunk who stumbled into a street racing rally, so will I.

Do their eyes glaze over, or is your pitch leading you into meaningful conversations? Do people ask for more information or do they suddenly need to go to the restroom? Pay attention to the feedback coming your way, and USE IT.

Are you getting the clients you want? This is a great indicator of whether or not you’ve nailed your pitch. At one point in my business I was saying something that, in my head sounded important and professional, but in reality was incredibly dry. All of a sudden I ended up with 3 or 4 referrals who were just.not.my.people (and let’s leave it at that). So, I rephrased and started to get the fabulous creatives and high-level performers I work with now.

Are you confident your pitch is working? Fantastic. Don’t change a thing. Ever feel like you could use some help and a hand to hold? There’s no reason for you to be anything but fabulous. Here are two options to get your pitch fancied up:

Click here to sign up for International Freelancer Day, a free all day conference, including a FREE Pitch Perfect™ workshop from me for YOU on Friday 9/23.

Book yourself a session or do it yourself and let your pitch fly free.

Your turn: put your (short) pitch in the comments and I’ll give you some feedback. Thanks!

——–

Help your friends talk their walk and cut, paste & post these insta-tweets:

Do you see glazed eyes and polite smiles when you say what you do? @DyanaValentine has ideas http://bit.ly/rjNbq0 #IFD11

Is a bullsh*t warning bell going off inside when you talk about yourself? @DyanaValentine sez: http://bit.ly/rjNbq0 #howlive

Love your clients? Then your pitch is perfect. If not–check out what @DyanaValentine suggests: http://bit.ly/rjNbq0 #IFD11

Related posts:

1. keep it simple When asked "What do you do?" most of us get...
2. friend+stranger=money shot Some people are like Steven Wright – they deliver fantastic one-liners without...

The fabulous and crafty Jenny Jafek-Jones wrote a sweet post on her response to the 23 things you might not know about you ebook the brilliant Lisa Baldwin curated.

It hits the spot when you need a boost, a lift or a reminder of what you are really, really good at.

How about you? What words of encouragement would you share with us? Please put them in the comments below.

—–

Want to share a few juicy bits from this article? Copy and paste these instant tweets:

you’re amazing. http://bit.ly/mWiVQh by @DyanaValentine

just in case you were wondering how great I think you are. http://bit.ly/mWiVQh by @DyanaValentine

What do you wish we knew about YOU? http://bit.ly/mWiVQh by @DyanaValentine

Image (and gorgeous stationery) by HearMyDear on Etsy.

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Freelance writer, blogger, and enthusiasm addict, Michelle Nickolaisen is pretty good at finishing what she starts, because she gets crystal clear on what finished means. I love that Michelle asks herself if she is working towards perfection, which is unattainable, or excellence, which she can aim for. Check her out and find out what musicals have to do with all of this in the video below. Feeling all twittery? Fab, find her on Twitter and enjoy more of her brilliant self.

Can’t see the 4 minute video? Click here.

Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks to talk about finishing what they started. We keep it short & sweet. I capture their answers on video. And you get a direct sight line into their mind’s eye.

It’s the same three questions, every time:

1. Do you finish everything you start?
2. How do you get unstuck when you’re having trouble finishing?
3. What are you really, really, REALLY good at?

Are you struggling to finish what you start? Are you a masterful finisher? Or somewhere in between? I’d love to play with you! Join me as a Finish It! Friday guest by emailing me at: info@dyanavalentine.com

Your turn: how do you finish (or not) what you start? Share your tips and stories in the comments. Thanks.

Redefine finish! Finish It! Friday!

Related posts:

1. Finish It! Friday with Leigh Morlock Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks...
2. Finish It! Friday With Rachel Cole Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks...

Conceptual portrait photographer, educator, author, and radio show host, Michael E. Stern does manage to finish everything he starts. His issue is that he starts too many things! When working for yourself, Michael has found that it’s best if you develop methodologies to help you get unstuck. He finds getting out of his chair and going into the garden or chatting with a friend – even if just for five minutes – helps refresh him enough to push through the block.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Can’t see this 5 1/2 minute video? Click here.

Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks to talk about finishing what they started. We keep it short & sweet. I capture their answers on video. And you get a direct sight line into their mind’s eye.

It’s the same three questions, every time:

1. Do you finish everything you start?

2. How do you get unstuck when you’re having trouble finishing?
3. What are you really, really, REALLY good at?

Are you struggling to finish what you start? Are you a masterful finisher? Or somewhere in between? I’d love to play with you! Join me as a Finish It! Friday guest by emailing me at: info@dyanavalentine.com

Your turn: how do you finish (or not) what you start? Share your tips and stories in the comments. Thanks.

Related posts:

1. redefine finish. Freelance writer, blogger, and enthusiasm addict, Michelle Nickolaisen is pretty...
2. have a good cry. Engineer by training, educator in practice, and entrepreneur at heart,Takeyah...

Engineer by training, educator in practice, and entrepreneur at heart,Takeyah Young is pretty good at finishing what she starts by making more conscious decisions and having consciously-chosen collaborators to help give her energy. When Takeyah gets stuck, sometimes she will just have a good cry. From there, she will get a change of perspective: If she’s using a computer to create, she’ll put it on paper instead. Shifting the medium can shift her energy flow, allowing her to create again.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Can’t see this 8-minute video? Click here.

Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks to talk about finishing what they started. We keep it short & sweet. I capture their answers on video. And you get a direct sight line into their mind’s eye.

It’s the same three questions, every time:

1. Do you finish everything you start?

2. How do you get unstuck when you’re having trouble finishing?
3. What are you really, really, REALLY good at?

Are you struggling to finish what you start? Are you a masterful finisher? Or somewhere in between? I’d love to play with you! Join me as a Finish It! Friday guest by emailing me at: info@dyanavalentine.com

Your turn: how do you finish (or not) what you start? Share your tips and stories in the comments. Thanks.

Related posts:

1. get out of your chair. Conceptual portrait photographer, educator, author, and radio show host, Michael...
2. redefine finish. Freelance writer, blogger, and enthusiasm addict, Michelle Nickolaisen is pretty...
3. stop doing what you’re told. Jen Price Davis wisely encourages us to stop doing what...

Jen Price Davis wisely encourages us to stop doing what we are told. If you get into a pickle, Jen suggests that you stop trying so hard. Relax and be kind to yourself. I felt like I was getting the best virtual hug when Jen said, “good people don’t finish things, too.”

As the queen of 80s music trivia, Jen’s personal credo comes from Pat Benatar’s song, Love is a Battlefield: “No one can tell us we’re wrong.”

Can’t see this 5-minute video? Click here.

Every week on Finish It! Friday, I invite groovy folks to talk about finishing what they started. We keep it short & sweet. I capture their answers on video. And you get a direct sight line into their mind’s eye.

It’s the same three questions, every time:

1. Do you finish everything you start?

2. How do you get unstuck when you’re having trouble finishing?
3. What are you really, really, REALLY good at?

Are you struggling to finish what you start? Are you a masterful finisher? Or somewhere in between? I’d love to play with you! Join me as a Finish It! Friday guest by emailing me at: info@dyanavalentine.com

Your turn: how do you finish (or not) what you start? Share your tips and stories in the comments. Thanks.

Related posts:

1. redefine finish. Freelance writer, blogger, and enthusiasm addict, Michelle Nickolaisen is pretty...
2. have a good cry. Engineer by training, educator in practice, and entrepreneur at heart,Takeyah...
3. get out of your chair. Conceptual portrait photographer, educator, author, and radio show host, Michael...

Here is an annoyingly long list of questions to help you figure out if your pitch, bio, elevator speech or hi-how-are-you intro are working:

How do you feel when you deliver your spiel? Does a bullsh*t warning bell go off inside when you’re talking or are you having a blast and feel great?

Do you hesitate when someone asks what you do? You’re the only one who knows but if you’re feeling awkward, you can bet the people you’re talking to are picking up on it. NB: we are all beasts. Don’t let the technology fool you. Our inner beasts get to talking–if you yawn, I yawn. If you are freaking out like a chipmunk who stumbled into a street racing rally, so will I.

Do their eyes glaze over, or is your pitch leading you into meaningful conversations? Do people ask for more information or do they suddenly need to go to the restroom? Pay attention to the feedback coming your way, and USE IT.

Are you getting the clients you want? This is a great indicator of whether or not you’ve nailed your pitch. At one point in my business I was saying something that, in my head sounded important and professional, but in reality was incredibly dry. All of a sudden I ended up with 3 or 4 referrals who were just.not.my.people (and let’s leave it at that). So, I rephrased and started to get the fabulous creatives and high-level performers I work with now.

Are you confident your pitch is working? Fantastic. Don’t change a thing. Ever feel like you could use some help and a hand to hold? There’s no reason for you to be anything but fabulous. Here are two options to get your pitch fancied up:

Click here to sign up for International Freelancer Day, a free all day conference, including a FREE Pitch Perfect™ workshop from me for YOU on Friday 9/23.

Book yourself a session or do it yourself and let your pitch fly free.

Your turn: put your (short) pitch in the comments and I’ll give you some feedback. Thanks!

——–

Help your friends talk their walk and cut, paste & post these insta-tweets:

Do you see glazed eyes and polite smiles when you say what you do? @DyanaValentine has ideas http://bit.ly/rjNbq0 #IFD11

Is a bullsh*t warning bell going off inside when you talk about yourself? @DyanaValentine sez: http://bit.ly/rjNbq0 #howlive

Love your clients? Then your pitch is perfect. If not–check out what @DyanaValentine suggests: http://bit.ly/rjNbq0 #IFD11

Related posts:

1. keep it simple When asked "What do you do?" most of us get...
2. friend+stranger=money shot Some people are like Steven Wright – they deliver fantastic one-liners without...