As you read this issue, think about these insightful words from Coco Chanel:

There are people who have money and people who are rich.

° Pick a theme and do a photo essay. With everyone running around with a digital camera in their hands these days, it's never been easier to acquire photographic skills. Why not create a story in pictures? How about the evolution of your business? Or portraits of people who have made a difference in your life? You might even end up with a product.

° Load up your iPod with a good book. If you haven't discovered it yet, check out the offerings at Audible.com. This Web site has a huge selection of downloadable books including fiction and nonfiction. I'm currently listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which I'd already read, and am loving it all over again. (I know, I mentioned this last time, but it's so wonderful I want everyone to meet these people.)

° Acquire DIY skills for free. Whether you want to restore houses as a profit center or just be handier around your own abode, check out the lineup of classes offered by Home Depot and Lowe's. While most of them are short, they'll give you some basic skills in an environment that's more fun than learning it from a book. Some stores also have Do It Herself classes.

° Lighten up. Taking a load of stuff to the thrift store or donating books to the library sale are great stress relievers. Get rid of anything and everything that doesn't express the latest version of you. If you can't unclutter by yourself, get help from a pro who can guide you to the orderly environment you deserve.

° Make creative crosstraining a regular activity. When my friend Georgia began doing mosaic work, she discovered that her writing output increased as well. Anything that stimulates your creative spirit will have a multiplying effect. Yet it's easy to let fear and self-doubt keep us from venturing into unknown creative territory. Get over it.

° Earn money in a new way. It's as good for your confidence as it is for your bank account to expand your moneymaking repertoire. At the beginning, the amount of money isn't nearly as important as the experience. This is about building an Option Bank.

° Expand your boundaries. Sign up for Twitter and get into the conversation. Barbara Sher just ran a marathon Idea Party using Twitter. Lots of amazing people sharing ideas and info over here. If you've been avoiding doing so, check out my blog post called Twitterphobic? Here's Help.

° Adopt something. Whether it's a cause, an orphaned animal or a fledgling entrepreneur, give yourself to something or someone that needs your support and love. You'll both be better for it.

Twitterphobic? Here's Help

Your newsletter came the next week after I was laid off - and I read it with different eyes. "I'm tired of this crap," I said to myself defiantly. "I will make it some way on my own! I'm a writer/poet/author/tarot reader. I'm not playing this corporate game anymore. If I lose everything - If I have to eat rice every day and get food stamps - I'm through working for companies who don't appreciate me , nor understand I have talents untapped. I'm going to build my own business. I don't know where or how, but I'm going to do it!"

I signed on to your teleclass Outsmarting Resistance. I took 12 pages of notes; every word you spoke that night energized me. During the course of that class you said something that rocked my world. You were talking about how many creative people start projects but never finish them. Then you said, "Someone needs to start a business for finishing things!" CREATIVE LIGHTENING STRUCK ME!

The next two days were spent in a whirlwind of creative ideas. What came out of that one sentence was an idea for a new business. In fact, while I was in Houston I'd done this business for friends without realizing it. Today I sent out a formal e-mail to all my friends announcing my new business, Completion Support Buddy. I have a logo, business plan, price list, tools, target clients - and will start an eight week class at Mountain Biz Works at the end of March. The class is called Foundations; a place to incubate my business.

That's not the end of Sue's story, of course. A few days after I got that message, she wrote to tell me she had her first client for Completion Buddy Support and had done two powerful tarot readings. I'd say she's launched.

On Thursday, March 19, we'll be exploring A Beginner's Guide to the Seminar Business. I've done seminars in elegant hotel ballrooms, cozy living rooms, meeting rooms of every conceivable size and shape in dozens of states and several countries. In fact, meeting rooms are my natural habitat and I never tire of walking into one and meeting a new group of curious adult learners. In this teleclass, I'll share the basics of getting started as an independent seminar leader.

Then on the following Monday, March 23, How to Support Your Wanderlust will give you dozens of ideas for creating a portable business. If the idea of traveling, being entrepreneurial and making a profit all at the same time appeals to you, this teleclass is a great place to start your journey.

And, of course, all participants will receive an audio download of the class afterwards. In addition, if you'd like to do the pair, you can take a $10 discount on the two.

Joyfully Jobless Teleclasses

On Sunday, March 29, is an all-day exploration of Making a Living Without a Job. The following Saturday, April 4, it's What Would an Entrepreneur Do? Both events will include ideas for being a thrifty entrepreneur, along with dozens of other great business-building ideas.

If you're eager to think like an entrepreneur or want some new power tools for running your business, plan to attend. I'd love to see you at these lively events.

Alternatives London Events

We've got lots of surprises planned which I am not yet authorized to divulge. I can, however, tell you that if you register before April 10, you'll get $100 discount.

Follow Through Camp

Barbara