March 3, 2016
Barbara Winter's Joyfully Jobless News
What I think is so exciting about curiosity is that it doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter what your job is, or what your passion is. Curiosity works the same way for all of us-if we use it well.
 
~ Brian Grazer
In This Issue
Postcard from Barbara
It's Coming! It's Coming!
Barbara Online
POSTCARD FROM BARBARA 
I jerked to attention when I heard a journalist call one of our political candidates (I'll let you guess which one) "stunningly uncurious." Living a life without curiosity is both sad and unimaginable to me.

According to researchers, curiosity is more important than intelligence. Without curiosity we avoid challenge, growth and new experiences. Our world gets smaller and smaller as our fears grow bigger and bigger.

Without a doubt, curiosity is a driving force of my life. Everywhere I look, I see evidence of that. What are the records of my curious life? As I begin to answer that question, I see that the physical things aren't especially dramatic. Here's what mine includes:

Photo albums--When I worked for Ethan Allen (my last job), I helped a couple who had lost everything in a fire. They told me that the only thing that made them really sad was losing all their family photos. I've heard the same from others who have had their homes destroyed. 

My photo albums aren't just a collection of places and people I've loved, however. There's a big gap in my albums where no photos exist. That's part of my story too.

Library--Jim Rohn says the most important legacy we can leave is our library and our journals. I've always thought a personal library is another form of record keeping. Like photo albums, a library is a record of where we've been and what we've explored. 

There's a character in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society who says, "Reading good books spoils you for reading bad books." The books that make up our personal libraries speak loudly

Passport--According to USA Today, only 27% of Americans have a current passport. In a fascinating interview in the September issue of Travel and Leisure magazine, actor Matt Damon said, "I think many of our problems as a country would be solved if people had thick passports. There's just no substitute for going and seeing things."

I keep mine in plain sight and intend to acquire some more stamps in it this year.

Stories--People who spend their lives acquiring things, rather than acquiring experiences, have fewer interesting stories to tell perhaps, which is a shame. Stories are the ultimate connector. They're important in families, in friendships and in business. Stories add the human touch in a high tech world.

As Brian Grazer points out, "Storytelling and curiosity are natural allies. Curiosity is what drives human beings out into the world every day, to ask questions about what's going on around them, about people and why they behave the way they do. Storytelling is the act of bringing home the discoveries learned from curiosity. The story is a report from the front lines of curiosity."

What evidence of curiosity have you collected? Where is your curiosity taking you next?
 
Pay attention. Pick a theme. Plan some fascinating projects. Listen and follow your calls. Keep your curiosity on high alert and you open yourself to a lifetime of adventures and discoveries. In fact, you could be stunningly curious. 

IT'S COMING! IT'S COMING! 
Denver, April 9



When I lived in Las Vegas the local news featured at least one Job Fair every week. Most of these stories involved long lines of people competing for a handful of jobs. Why isn't anyone talking about alternatives to getting a job, I wondered. And so the Un-Job Fair was born.

Thanks to the folks at Colorado Free University in Denver, the Un-Job Fair has become an annual event-and one of my favorite days of the year. It's a day to explore, learn and connect with ideas and information about the joyfully jobless life. And since the agenda changes every year, we have lots of participants that return. 

Whether you're just thinking about self-employment or you're looking for ideas to add to your growing portfolio, this is the place to be on Saturday, April 9. We'd love to have you along!


Sacramento, March 18 & 19

I'm also heading back to the Learning Exchange in Sacramento on March 18 & 19. I'm excited to be teaching three programs including Becoming a Great Idea Detective. You can find out more at Learning Exchange  

Dallas, April 15 & 16

After some early delays, I'm excited that Marketing Magic for Makers is being launched. If you're a painter, potter, poet or photographer that wants to make money from the things you love to create, but are not quite so excited about the marketing side, this workshop is for you. 


And the Winner Is

A big thank you to new and renewing Winning Ways subscribers. I've been enjoying putting the upcoming 30th Anniversary issue together and can't wait to share it with you all. 

I'm also delighted to announce that Kim Wettleson is the winner of the drawing for a copy of Bernadette Jiwa's Make Your Idea Matter


Buon Viaggio,

 

Barbara Winter

Barbara Winter 

 

P.S. On occasion, I may receive a commission or compensation when you participate or purchase a product or service I recommend. That being said, I strive to always offer useful content and resources in each issue of Joyfully Jobless News.