Podcast 085: Why You Need a Creative Community (with Jennifer Harshman)
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It’s tempting to think of the creative life as a solitary endeavor. We picture an artist standing at an easel, a musician playing in a studio, or a writer sitting at a desk. But my guest today reminds us that it’s vital to build your community no matter what type of creative work you do.
Her name is Jennifer Harshman, and she is the owner of Harshman Services. Jennifer coaches and consults with subject-matter experts, communicators and other leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, and publishers so they can get helpful writing out into the world where it can do more good. Jennifer began editing professionally in 1992, has edited tens of thousands of pages, and now serves as a writing and publishing expert for publishers and independent authors alike.
Listener Q & A
Sterling Hyland asks, “Mastermind groups work well for creative types. Is the concept used in a broader context? For example, are think tanks a form of mastermind groups? What other types are you aware of?”
Episode Highlights
- Some of the people and authors who have impacted Jennifer.
- Tips for reading faster.
- How people helped Jennifer and her family through a personal crisis last year.
- Why you must overcome pride and fear in reaching out to others.
- how group coaching can help you get answers to questions you didn’t know you had.
- The mindset shifts Jennifer had to make in order to build a business.
- How other people can help us define our creative calling.
- Why we need to ask, “What are people paying for?” when deciding on a career path.
- Some of the biggest challenges Jennifers sees in authors she works with.
- Jennifer’s strategy for systematically staying in touch with people via Facebook.
Key Takeaways
- The power of speed reading.
- The value of building a network of friends.
- The beauty of letting other people help you.
Resources Mentioned
