gilli moon diary

my online diary has moved - adieu blogger. the marriage is over....

2015-06-07T13:04:00.001-07:00

Blogger has been an awesome home for many years. Well, since the beginning of online blogs. In fact, I started this blog before blog was a word, when it was a diary. And I called it my 'online diary'. I still do. Blogger was there for me before anyone was blogging. before people realized writing online was a daily habit. I've been doing it since the beginning of the Internet, thanks to Blogger. But now Mz Blogger and I will part. It's been a wonderful marriage, till now. But I've found a new writing partner, and it's called tumblr. Interestingly, I was also using my tumblr before people knew how good it was to tumble. And now tumblr is such a craze, like blogger used to be, that my audience prefers to tumble with me instead, and so i've listened.

So adieu blogger. And hello tumblr.
Find me at http://gillimoon.tumblr.com - my artistry and expression
and, http://creativewarriorblog.tumblr.com - good inspiration for artists and creative warriors in life.

Hugs.
xo,
Gilli Moon

Singing and Writing - my new daily habit

2014-10-16T12:28:00.001-07:00

i can’t tell you why I am where I am. It just is. Twenty years, give or take, I’ve been on the quest of self-actualization as an artist. Two things have remained constant - I can sing. And I can write. I write good songs. I sing great. Where does that get me? I don’t know. All I know is I continue the quest of self-realization.

We cannot foresee the wind. And I cannot manipulate fate. I don’t know the answers. I don’t have the secret key. I cannot tug the puppet strings, nor pull any levers. I am who I am. A singer. And a songwriter. I do what I do. Sometimes I pull back, retreat (raise twin toddlers for a moment in time), and other times I traject into that wind, or storm or however you want to see it, and whoosh up some leaves. Whatever that day’s energy, I continue to be who I am, and act the way I can act.

I do know that I am listening more to the world around me. I’m taking it in. Right now, I’m in retreat mode,…. listening. I’m silently creating, listening, watching, and soon,… responding.

The most important thing is to TRUST in the process. To not get sidetracked, or sideswiped. To not give in to the forces around. To not stagnate. Nor, to not get caught up in feeling like you have to keep up with the Jones’. I live in Los Angeles. It’s easy to think you are supposed to be like all those rich and famous people who happen to be neighbors. It can throw you for a loop: thinking you should be like them, ‘coz you’re in this city.

Fear not - do not get sidetracked. Think only what is for you. Stay true to the beat of your own drum.

I, for one, am drumming. I’m beating. I pulse from within. I have so much to offer,.. still. You cannot keep me down. You cannot thwart my force.

I am so close to refresh, I’m bursting with joy. The new album is coming together. Slowly, surely,.. at it’s time and pace. Don’t force it. It will come, along with all the marketing shenanigans that it needs.

For now, I wait. And create. I sing. I write. I will sing and write. Count me in. You got a singing gig or a writing gig? I’m there. I have all the singing and all the writing ready to unleash. I’m full of the song. If Sting said I need a singer, or Peter Gabriel said I need a songwriter, I would be the right fit. If I felt the wind, I’d even sign up for “The Voice”. I am all of it, but specific to singing and writing. I write. I sing. I love both so equally and profoundly - and when combined, it is just PURE MAGIC.

Meanwhile, listen to this album - It’s my favorite right now. Adam Levine has certainly gone up a few notches in my book:"V", Maroon 5….

I wrote the above one Sunday morning when I felt so, so invigorated. I was in the vortex. I was feeling aligned with my inner spirit. But I don't always feel like this.

How do we not let anything or anyone thwart our force? How can we stay in alignment to our true passion, so much so that it makes our heart skip a beat, our eyes light up and our day feel so new?

How do we make our dreams come alive, even when we don't know how to get there?

It starts with one daily habit. Just one.

If a man was in hospital after, let's say, an accident, and currently couldn't walk - what is going to help that man walk again? He gets remedial therapy every day in hospital. He could either feel sorry for himself and feel terrible about his predicament. Or, he could say to himself constantly, "I will walk!"

I am sure that with the attitude of the latter, he will walk way sooner than in his lament. You see, this is an attitude habit. Each day, we can wake up and set our priorities for the day that include how we feel. Here are some for you to consider building into your daily morning practice:

"Today, I will go through the day with a joyful attitude and a skip in my step. Nothing will phase me."
"Today, I will realize one dream, one goal"
"Today, I will spend x minutes/hours on playing my favorite instrument" (reading a book, listening to music, watering the flowers,.. you can change this part)
"Today, i will eat a piece of fruit and fuel my body with nutrients"
"Today, I will kiss my husband at least 5 times, when he least expects it."
"Today, I will sing. I will sing. I will sing. I will sing."

Create your inspiring daily habit, and watch your world become aligned to who you really are and who you want to become. Feeling good is the first step to any place.

love

gilli moon
www.gillimoon.com

GET JIGGY WITH GILLI MOON

gratitude

2014-07-15T22:52:00.002-07:00

I'm grateful for my life. I have lived a thousand years. I've struggled. I've overcome. I've achieved. I look at my life and I realize that LIFE (l.i.f.e) is more than just an accolade.

It's the journey. I sometimes think I'm a broken record when it comes to discussing the importance of the "journey", but in essence it's the truth. We need to live more in the moment of our lives, rather than what the outcome may bring. For, how can we secure that outcome? We have no control over it. All we can control is this moment.

I have spent this past year raising a boy and a girl, my twin babies. In an ordinary world, that is ALL I should be able to muster, but I have somehow also found the capacity to generate an income for our family, come close to finishing the recording of my 7th album, coach approximately 10 artist clients a month, run a monthly showcase residency featuring awesome songwriters each month and perform myself, project manage several projects with a leading digital/internet fortune 500 company on a weekly basis, host the childrens' first birthday party including having family visit from overseas, write several articles including this blog, and run a 501)c)3 non profit organization for songwriters. Yes, i have done all this. (I'm sure I missed a few things).

I am grateful for my life. For my achievements. For my CAPACITY. For going through the motions; the process of my life and DELIVERING.

Even in my darkest times (and believe me, having had twins and raising them in their first year there are many), I SEE THE LIGHT. I am so ever grateful for having the opportunity to be WHO I AM and discovering life in a NEW WAY with my children to show ME the way.

Thank you humble universe for enlightening me once again.

to leave you with
I cannot tell you how amazed i am at our babies each day. you may think i'm all creative with music, but honestly, the most creative i've ever done is produce these little wonders. my time is spent with them mostly, but yet i am in the world producing, recording, project managing, creating, coaching and being. still, my world revolves around them until they know how to be independent. it will take some time and meanwhile i will love every second. i do not regret one hour spent in the middle of the night nursing, or one hour in the day where food is spilled all over them or me. i continually pick up toys off the floor and i do each pick up with glee in my heart. i am in love in love in love with natalie and jackson, and of course my husband and partner for life, jeff (j.) walker. we are a great quartet.

~ gilli

Artists, Light and Horses

2014-03-29T11:06:00.003-07:00

One of your thoroughbreds is biting at the bit at the starting gate. She’s really testy, and wants to start the race. Salivating at the mouth, eyes zealous, mind going a hundred miles an hour. But the gun has not gone off. There is no start.

She realizes she’s not alone. There are six, maybe ten, other horses also at the gate, desperate to start: hooves kicking the dust, rump hitting the sides of the barrier, leg muscles twitching.

Restless…

Then you realize, all of these thoroughbreds are yours. You own all these horses, and they are all ready to go, as soon as the mark is heard. They’re all biting at the bit, ready. A few false starts, and back into the barriers. Still, it’s a waiting game.

Do you ever feel like this? Do you ever feel like the thoroughbred inside you just wants to get out there and on with it? Are you feeling restless, frustrated, anxious, and yet: full of energy, desire, passion and ambition?

Do you have too many horses at the starting gate? Are all your projects/desires/dreams at the forefront of your starting gate ready to be unleashed? Do you feel like you have false starts and then you’re back at the starting gate, once again kicking your hooves into the dirt?

You are not alone.

The conundrum of the new creative entrepreneur is that we are not only passionate and ambitious as the ‘creator’, but also carrying the load of the ‘business startup owner’. You have to do it all, don’t you?

You may also just be that A-type personality who has so many ideas, and you want to do them all. Now. Or, you just know that inside you, your artistic light just wants to shine and it deserves to be heard.

Ambition is a curse and a blessing. It provides a wonderful kick in the pants to make you not only believe you can “do it”, but gives you impetus to get on with it. But it can also be a detriment. Because you want your light to shine so much, you can get frustrated if the opportunities and successes don’t come fast enough. That thoroughbred of yours kicks its hoofs in frustration, eyes jealous of the next one next to you “making it”.

I have often wondered if my life had turned out differently. If, at the age of 18, when I felt the ambition rising in my soul, I was “discovered” by a record company, developed and marketed to the point of, perhaps, top 40 hits, number one songs, Grammy awards and worldwide acclaim. I mean, my ego could easily accept that, right? My ego’s ambition certainly saw it that way. But my road was very different. I couldn’t wait for someone to come along and determine my fate: I took the ball in my own hands and created my own record company and distribution channels, thereby circumventing the “system”, using guerilla marketing tactics and making a go of it on my own. I call it my “warrior path”. Success? Damn right. It’s my definition of success. Honestly, if I’d waited around thinking I could be “discovered”, that artist light inside me would have been extinguished.

The artist’s light is always there. Your creativity, your inner talent, your mission, your essence. While you are waiting for that long term goal to realize; while you are working on your big opus, don’t forget to continue to nurture your light. In fact, artistry is a life long journey – it’s about the day to day process. Let your light emanate on a daily basis, even if, in your heart, you’re waiting for that “big thing”. Getting to that big dream takes a while, to do it right. And often it turns out differently than you initially expected, which is OK. Maybe, just maybe, you might discover that the little things you achieve, are way cooler than that vision of what that “big thing” may be, or never be.

Many artists who get the Grammy, or actors who get an Oscar, ask themselves, “what next?”

You see, once you get some kind of recognition, or reach a milestone, you’ll only want MORE. What’s next, what else? And even worse,...”is this all there is?”

Don’t be deceived by the Holy Grail, that magical destination you’ve set your sights on. Yes, the grass is always greener, they say, but let’s just imagine the grass is green right where you are, right here and now, right with what you have in your hands.

Take a look at your thoroughbreds right now. Go pat your favorite one, and give it some hay and water. Give it the love and power. Focus on that talent of yours, and find little wins you can appreciate on a daily basis. They are the ones you’ll look back which will create a sea of wins in your life, and that is a life well lived.

Go shine your light!

~ love and light, gilli moon

Want more? Get gilli's books, "I AM A Professional Artist - The Key To Survival and Success in the World of the Arts", and "Just Get Out There - Achieving Abundance, Self-Empowerment and Professional Success as an Artist Entrepreneur"

AMAZON, or www.justgetoutthere.com

The End of the Beginning

2013-08-30T09:42:00.001-07:00

The following is an excerpt from gilli moon's book JUST GET OUT THERE. Own it today.

Here is where it’s at folks:
Live your life like you are at the beginning of the road, and let go of the oars and flow…

If my only priorities were to sell CDs, make tons of money and get everyone to love me, I will make myself sick, stressed and deeply unhappy.

If my priorities are to enjoy my journey; tell a good story whether on a CD, live at a show, or in my writings; enjoy the creative process; learn and discover the world; and INSPIRE others along the way – then it’s a different life, a GREAT life, a REAL life… my life. I know that I’m an Artist for life. I have much to say, and I am going to have a great time “having a go” and making it all worthwhile. The CD sales, radio play, Grammy awards and Newsweek interviews come and go. The JOURNEY of being the Warrior Artist, and the savvy successful Artist Entrepreneur LIVES ON.

* Continually step back and take a broader view of your life and your dreams.

* Have a broader mission that isn’t just about you, but how you want to inspire others.

* Lead your life with dignity like a good Warrior Artist Entrepreneur does, knowing the universe will provide you all the freedom you deserve.

* Don’t sweat the small stuff: let go and let it come. Allow it to unfold.

* Trust in yourself, your heart, your passion and the universe.

* Patience is key.

* Don’t take yourself so seriously. There’s way more fun in laughter and it’s quite entertaining.

* Don’t take it all so personally. Other people’s stuff is their subjective view on reality. The less you emotionally take things personally, and listen more to your own advice, the better off you’ll be.

* Know you have to have climbed t
he mountain, and really feel the rocks and stones along the way, to understand what it truly feels like to succeed, and get to a place of joy. It doesn't happen overnight. It’s a lifelong journey of becoming.

* You are the actor in your play. You created your play called “your life”. Enjoy it.

* Who has the gold? You do. Be the creative explorer in your life and know you are the master of your destiny.

It’s not going to be easy. It’s challenging and uncomfortable. But you will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction every step of the way. You will always be moving forward.

And now, a little personal somethin' somethin'.... my newborn twins... Now, look who's enjoying the journey....

art is life, life is art,
gilli moon

The Art of detachment

2013-05-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Real stuff happens in and around our lives. But it’s how we respond to it that makes the difference; whether I attach to it or detach from it.
- gilli moon

Retweet this

I have painted my first canvas in over a year. This is a major breakthrough. The flow has returned. Strange that I say this? No. It’s actually quite a meaningful point I want to make.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a remarkably busy year. Busy, busy, busy. Productive, busy, creative, busy. Get the picture? Busy.

I’ve conquered many mountains, and been victorious in my endeavors. It’s been “business as usual” and I’ve written songs, performed songs, recorded songs and done many other things in between. But have I also had quiet time to just sit, reflect and ponder the universe? Not much. When I can do that, my favorite way is to pour a glass of merlot (I can only average one glass of wine in a blue moon), and with a white, blank canvas inviting me, imploring me… I splash a multitude of colors on it and my mind is able to drift into another world.

Connecting the Social Dots: Integrating all your Social Networks and news feeds to spread your music word

2013-03-09T19:31:00.000-08:00

Connecting the Social Dots: Integrating all your Social Networks and news feeds to spread your music word
By GILLI MOON

This article is not for the fresh beginner to the Internet. It’s for those artists who have been dabbling with various sites on the internet to promote their wares, but just need some clarity on how to navigate, what is best, and what has changed. I was originally only going to write an article on Tumbr.com (and the demise of Posterous.com) but instead I kept writing and decided to write an entire article on Social Networks and connecting the social dots for your music. I will begin by saying that before you dabble in Social Networks, you NEED a website first and foremost. Your website is your HOME BASE where all good fans and links should start, and return. This is your hub, and your place you alone can control. Social Networks come and go. Don’t rely on them as your only source of self-promotion. I also highly recommend you read my book JUST GET OUT THERE as I have a lengthy chapter for the beginner or expert on Self-Promotion, Marketing and being the Artist Entrepreneur. Get it at www.justgetoutthere.com, or Amazon. Or just Google it.

Also my final caveat is the advice below is based on what I like, what I’ve tested, and what I use. I’m sure there are other ideas and ways. But I’m sharing with you my idea, and I want to keep it simple for you too.

Ok, let’s get started…, or at least, let’s pretend you are already dabbling online…. So let’s start in the middle: Enjoy the read.

Connect my website news page to my social networks, so I can post all at once.

Goal: When posting in one place, you have it land on Twitter, Facebook, AND as a news feed on your website.
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Foursquare
Google+
Tumblr (and you know how THAT can connect!)
Vimeo
Blogger
And of course, Facebook

What if you have all these online social networks and you have to update your status in all these different places. Wouldn't it be nice to update one status and it spreads to all of them? How about tag on a news feed for your website? In working with artists and their self promotion, I’ve been a big advocate of Posterous.com as a blog for you to post your latest news, which in turn publishes/syndicates to your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc) all at once. It also has been great as an RSS feed on your website, (your NEWS stream). However, Posterous.com died an unfortunate death (absorbed by its new owner Twitter). By end April 2013, it’s “bye bye’.

Welcome a long tried and true blog network (but least buzzed about): Tumblr.com

Tumblr is not only going to do what Posterous has done before, but goes one step further: it is a well respected social network blog in its own right, so a lot of what you may do on the web may connect to Tumblr (like you may connect Facebook and Twitter).

Also in posting through Tumblr, you can share music, video, photos and of course, text. It’s super sexy. You can also share things you find on the internet, on tumblr.

How to get this going:

1. First, I’m going to assume you are already on Twitter and Facebook as a good start (see further into this article about the benefits of those.)

2. Go to www.tumblr.com and create an account. Once created, and while logged in, click on your new “blog” on the left. (1 account can have several blogs)

3. Create url - I recommend you use your artist name as the name you choose in the url. Eg gillimoon.tumblr.com and songsalive.tumblr.com

4. Find the Post By Email setting on Under “Account” (click on your blog from there)– they provide an email address that you can email to, from you email account, when you want to post to Tumblr. It will be really weird but it works. You can also post within your Tumblr account online. I like the email route as you can forward anything you want (your newsletter for example) to Tumblr via email. Later you can read tips on sending via email here: www.tumblr.com/docs/en/email_publishing

5. You can change the theme within your Blog. They have many to choose from. (Also in this area you can change the name of blog. It may be called Untitled”. Rename that to your preferred blog name. )

6. Importantly, connect to Facebook and Twitter . You can choose what to connect to on Facebook. Doesn’t have to be your profile (as we often keep that as personal friends area). You can share to your Facebook Fan Page. (If you have a Facebook Group, you can connect Tumblr to NetworkedBlogs (search it within Facebook). Another cool system to syndicate your blogs.)

7. LOG OUT and go to your Tumblr url to see what it looks like. Copy the RSS feed by clicking on the “Subscribe to RSS Feed” . For example the Songsalive Tumblr is songsalive.tumblr.com/rss

8. Now, go to your website. I have recommended many of you to design your website through www.weebly.com. You can drag an RSS feed box to any of your page (I prefer home, and News page) and insert the above RSS feed. Voila, your website is also showing your latest news. If your website design management doesn’t allow you to insert an RSS feed, you can use www.feedburner.com to create a digest of your Tumblr feeds, and then give you html code to insert into your website.

9. Go to www.tumblr.com/apps for more suggestions. You can even share things you find on the internet, on tumblr (which in turn spreads through your network).

10. Create buttons for your website www.tumblr.com/buttons

11. Other apps/social networks: you can share Flickr with Tumblr (go to your Flickr account). You can also surf the internet and share on Tumblr cool things you find.

IN SUMMARY: Post to the Tumblr email anytime (Your Newsletter, Your status, Your fun bits and pieces). This goes to Social Networks AND shows up on your website as latest news.

How to connect to other social networks too?

That’s easy: through TWITTER. They will then be synced to Tumblr vicariously through your Twitter/Tumblr API connection. For example, link Twitter to Facebook here www.facebook.com/twitter/ (obviously you need an account at both places); Link your Myspace to your Twitter within MySpace. Link your Reverbnation profile to Twitter through Revbernation (more on these social networks further down).

What’s another alternative to post to all my social networks at once?

Ping.fm used to be the best way to post to all your social networks at once. Then they were bought out by Seesmic. Then they were bought out by Hootsuite. So, Hootsuite.com is a nice site, however if you want to post to more than a few, you have to pay. So I found a free one: Alternion.com. Little is published about this site, but I’ve started using it and I really like it. You have to post through the website from a computer though. Doesn’t seem to have a mobile app. I just posted to my social networks all at once. They are:

Since my Facebook is connected to my Twitter, I tend to exclude that from the posting as Twitter posts on its behalf.

Of course they have a TON more social networks you can multi-post to. AND you can read all your social network statuses, posts and messages all at Alternion.com. You can even read all your email inboxes there too. Pretty neat. Still in beta, so tread lightly.

OK, tell me more about Reverbnation and why it’s important to my music promotion?

Reverbnation.com is a unique social network site that I’ve loved since they started. Similar to MySpace, you can create a profile that includes uploaded songs, photos, a bio, and some press. It’s a pretty solid place to promote to the media as your “press kit” (though I like Sonicbids.com better for that, although that one I wouldn’t call a Social Network). Reverbnation is a lovely place to gain fans (they just come and find you without too much fuss). You can rise in the music charts, and send fan mail (newsletters) to your Fans who “Fan” you. Interestingly, you can create html Widgets of your music player, Tour info/Gigs, Press quotes and your whole press kit, to insert into your Website.

OK, tell me more about Twitter and why it’s important to my music promotion?

It just happens to be the best medium to promote your music and build followers. I know you all love Facebook, but Twitter attracts fans/followers without you having to accept them as friends. It’s an OPEN space/playing field. Also, as above, you can link your Twitter to Facebook to update status simultaneously.

OK, tell me more about Facebook and why it’s important to my music promotion?

Facebook is like my online Pub. I go there to hang out virtually with my friends online (through my personal profile, that is). I can decide who I am friends with, and through my privacy settings, I can be strict about who sees what. The latest on personal profiles is the Friend requests you deny, they will be automatically “subscribed to your public posts”. So in essence, your Fans (who you really don’t call Friends) can follow you too. When you post, simply choose your audience. If you make it “Public” Friends and Subscribers will see it. I still think having a FAN PAGE (or Business PAGE) is essential. Set a Page up within your Profile and create a URL for it. I tend to only promote my fanpage ie facebook.com/gillimoonmusic, to avoid too many friend requests from people I don’t know on my personal profile. Notwithstanding, you can make it harder to find you through Facebook (Friends of Friends only). Why is Facebook important? Well, it’s your Soap Box, your ability to talk any time of day, intimately, or publicly. The fact is, many now use Facebook as their preference for communication (yes, beating emails and phone calls). That is why it is important to be on Facebook. As for Music promotion, you can link your Reverbnation, Sonicbids and similar music sites to your Facebook Fan Page, so that people can listen to your music through Facebook. Nice stuff.

Other sites I should look at for promoting my music?

Just put .com after all those listed below

I’ve mentioned some above in my paragraph about where I linked my Tumblr account to. I think it’s worthy to mention that MySpace is making a comeback and so I wouldn’t delete your account with them yet. It was recently bought by Justin Timberlake (amongst others) and is going through a revamp. You can migrate your old site to the new. There are a few kinks still, (that is that your old friends don’t transfer over unless they also migrate their accounts), and the one pet peeve is all the new music news is all about Justin right now. Go figure!

YouTube is idea to showcase your videos. You can create Channels, Playlists, find subscribers, network, AND create revenue (if you hit a certain amount of Views).

Vimeo is an alternative to Youtube. I don’t use it as much. I like it to share private videos with people and at Songsalive! we use it for our Songcraft videos as you can add a password.

Google+ didn’t get a huge rating for me. Hence I didn’t dive deep. But they are trying. Their “circles” at least helps you compartmentalize fans into different groups. Businesses seems to like it (at least that’s Google’s selling point). I’m still on the fence. To access, you need a google or gmail account. It connects within your logins for that.

Soundcloud is the perfect solution for sharing songs (whether full or edited, though you have to edit inadvance before you upload). You can find fans, and they can even post their favorite parts of your song, comment, and even remix your song with permission. Soundcloud is linked sometimes to other social networks too. They also provide a music player html code for your website.

Blogger is not a social network. It’s a blog. Write and express yourself, and then syndicate/publish the feed on your website through feedburner.com and to your social networks through Alternion.com.

Bandcamp seems to be a nice place to sell music directly from your site, and connects with other sites. But it’s not a social network. You can also sell your music on Reverbnation and Soundclick.com (the latter is also a social network and you can create a music player for your website, plus all sales go to You. Actually Soundclick is my favorite site for showcasing music. Like the old mp3.com, they also have Charts. You may see yourself in the top 10 one day.

LinkedIn.com is not a social network in the true sense, but it is an online networking community where you can upload your “resume” (Jobs, Education, Expertise) and then connect with others in the biz. I love it for doing and expanding my “business as an artist entrepreneur” and people take you way more seriously there, than any other social network that is generally seen as “fun”.

I’m no guru on Social Networks. I’m an Artist, and I run my own business. I coach other artists in their careers too. It may seem a lot to connect the dots, but if you follow my tried and true methods above, you’re thre-quarters there. The rest is actually promoting (Status updates, writing, networking) and creating GREAT music.

See ya online! Twitter: @gillimoon @artistdevcoach @songsalive Facebook.com/gillimoonmusic (my Fan page); Facebook.com/songsalive - Linkedin.com/in/gillimoon - Reverbnation.com/gillimoon – Myspace.com/gillimoon – Sonicbids.com/gillimoon – Soundcloud.com/gillimoon

-and putting it all together at gillimoon.tumblr.com and songsalive.tumblr.com

Respect The Artist - Buy The Music

2013-02-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

Quote:

“PROBLEM:

People are willing to pay $5 for a cup of coffee that

Cost pennies to make

Takes minutes to prepare

Is gone forever after one use

YET MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WON’T PAY $1 FOR A SONG THEY LIKE, that

Cost thousands to record

Can be used over & over again

Took years of practice to create

….. and lasts a lifetime!”

Gilli: This is so true. BUY music people. I and other musicians/artists dedicate our lives to music and hopefully a living from it. But it starts with you. With the culture. With education. With giving it value. I value it. Do you? Lets teach our youth to value buying music again.

gilli moon

www.gillimoon.com | Warrior Girl Music www.warriorgirlmusic.com

BUY MY MUSIC http://www.gillimoon.com/buy-music.html

Facebook www.facebook.com/gillimoonmusic
Tweet me @gillimoon

Getting To Bliss

2013-01-04T15:07:00.001-08:00

I’m starting to come to the realization that I see life a whole lot differently than most people.

I’m an insatiably happy person.

When I was four years old, I knew exactly who I was going to be, and I was bright, positive and carefree. I insisted on piano lessons, loved them, and wanted to be center of attention. By eight I was singing, dancing and starring in plays. I would look out at the ocean and feel my future destiny. By sixteen I knew my gifts, felt confident, won more acting roles, and became vice president of the student union at school. I was playing piano, coming up with compositions used the living room as my stage to sing all my songs, as if I was already on the world stage. By eighteen I was on a plane to Europe to discover the world, having already been selected at a university (I took a year off to travel). After college, at twenty one I was living in new York feeling the amazing Broadway energy in my veins. By thirty I had lived half way round the world and was now in Los Angeles living my dream.

I’ve been living my dream my whole life and it hasn’t stopped.

I’ve always been an optimist. I’ve always felt confident in my abilities, and even when I didn’t know something, I, at least, had an adventurous streak to try something new and see where it took me. I’ve always had a “go get ‘em mentality”.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had my fair share of adversity. Probably more than most, too. The obstacles I’ve had to overcome physically (medically), emotionally (relationships), mentally (living in hardship in various times of my life), economically, and literally (changing countries as my home, as one example), could have all broken me.

But they didn’t. I saw every adversity as an opportunity for growth and a new way of being. I look back and say, “wow, look what I have achieved”. This allows me to look forward to the ocean of opportunity in front of me, all the time.

That’s why, along with being an artist, I enjoy coaching other artists, and running Songsalive! the non-profit songwriters community. That’s why I write books, with titles like “I AM a Professional Artist” and “Just Get Out There”, and conduct workshops. My songs are usually about self-empowerment (“I’m Alive”, “I Can Feel”, “Woman!”) I love to inspire others to see it through my rose colored glasses.

Put me in a pool of mud, and I’ll see it as a warm, blue ocean to frolic in.

But not everyone sees it the way I see it. Not everyone feels it the way I feel it. Many have to work at it to develop the craft of getting to bliss, for it just doesn’t come naturally to them like it does for me. Many only see the adversity, and stop there.

Today I’m pondering this with a tad of bittersweet. I wish everyone saw it the way I do, and just lived their lives with a spring in their step. But I can’t force others to feel it the way I do, or approach it the way I have. Some people just innately, or mentally, or physically, wake up sad, tired, overwhelmed, despondent, in-confident, insecure or frazzled.

So, for those that don’t live that A Type “I love my life” day, or for those who have felt it once but have seemed to have lost it,… perhaps I can offer some ideas on getting to that place. You all know I wrote a book called “Just Get Out There”. I do encourage you get a copy if you are creative because it has such a wealth of tips and resources to become empowered and successful. I have other writings too, on my website blog, and I offer one-on-one coaching as well.

Want that perpetual joy, optimism and courage?

Here are my “Getting to Bliss” strategies:

1. It’s all about making a SHIFT with your mindset – a lot happens around us, good and bad. It’s up to us as to how we respond to it that makes all the difference. Ease into responding with joy, hope and curiosity. Every time you have that negative inner voice barking in your ear, learn to tune it out and think of the positive sides.

2. Understand your process – You may be one of those types who like to be super organized with your agenda, deadlines and to do lists. But some people like to be more whimsical and spontaneous, with no lists, agenda nor deadlines. If this is you, that’s ok. It’s good to give yourself boundaries for all pistons to fire and not be on a rollercoaster, but follow that creative muse when it comes, and learn to ride the waves of the ups and downs and…. Stillness.

3. Do the things that are important to you – Much of our frustration comes from having to do things that we don’t want to do, or don’t like to do. It’s time to discard what no longer serves you (tasks, things, people, and even old outdated dreams) and focus on what is important to you and what makes you happy. This can be a hard process, but well worth it.

4. Find reason to do less, yet achieve so much more – It’s never about how hard you work, or how much you work, but how efficiently you work. If you can master the art of working in 3 hours a day, and playing the rest, you have found bliss. Just because others are slaves to their jobs, doesn’t mean you have to be. Focus hard on the tasks at hand, and get them done. Then go play in the sand. You’ll be surprised at how much you actually achieve when there’s balance in your life. But it doesn’t come without proper, diligent, focus when you are “switched on”. I call that “mini deep diving”. Dive in deep, complete, then play.

5. Do the things you need to do, but have fun in it, it’s all creative – When you don’t feel like doing “Work” or tasks, or music business stuff, think of it as a creative opportunity. I find business and marketing very creative if I just see it that way. Getting on Twitter, or creating a newsletter to promote my latest release, or writing emails to business folks, can be exciting when you cream of the possibilities of the outcomes. Think outside the box, come up with new ways to do things, and enjoy the sunshine along the way.

6. Don’t get bogged down in specifics - Stay generic. If you want to complete a project but get too caught up in the details, this can thwart any momentum of even getting started. Just think of the overall idea and slowly and easily write down some notes, but don’t feel like you have to fill in all the blanks on how to make it happen. We usually don’t know every step to take, so don’t worry. Just START. Be in touch more with the feeling and desire of it, rather than the nitty gritty of all the details (that would turn any brain to mush!)

7. Let it happen. ‘law of attraction’ - Have you heard of the saying “Don’t watch the kettle boil”? It never boils while you are staring it at it. The minute you walk away the water boils. That’s a good reference for our lives. Getting bogged down in the minutia and pushing for outcomes and manifestations usually leads to zero results and just a lot of frustration. Stop knocking on the door. Step back for a bit and you’ll find the door will open magically for you without all the fuss. This works by you letting go of the control a bit and de-focusing on the pushing. Think, visualize and believe the outcome (what you want the result to be). Keep focusing on that. Let the universe help you in getting there. You get what you focus on. Focus on the joy.

8. Shift from difficulty to ease – When you feel like you have “writers block” or your tired and negative, go do something else. Be creative on other things. Hey, it’s ok to watch your favorite TV show! Spice it up, change it up, and be prepared to even change your dreams. You are the master of your destiny and today you can re-invent yourself to be anything you want to be.

9. Integrate: I am all of it – When you start to realize you are all of “it”, meaning all that you are, you do, and be, you will start to take the pressure off yourself when you feel like you’re not doing what you are “supposed to do”. Who wrote the rules on what you’re supposed to do anyway? Who said you have to follow your career in a certain way, or do this or that. Make up your own rules. Define success on your OWN terms.

Getting to Bliss is about getting to yourself. Be in touch with who you really are and what you really want, and you’re half way there. The rest will come to you without you even trying.

Try this “Getting To Bliss” Exercise:

Try changing up this coming week to meet the real needs of you. I guarantee this exercise helps to cure feeling overwhelmed and be balanced and BLISSFUL.

In doing this exercise, follow the FEELING every moment of your day. Ask yourself, “How am I feeling right now?”. If it doesn’t feel good: CHANGE to something else that does. Stay with the feeling more than the wanting.

Be less specific in your tasks, and more general, giving yourself time to be with a project or an act of doing, without getting bogged down in the nitty gritty..

i. Monday: what are you going to do today? Be completely open to what you’d like to do. Don’t put any agenda, tasks or to-do lists in front of you. Just see what happens spontaneously from the moment you wake up.

ii. Tues: what are you going to do today? Try narrowing it more to being totally creative. It usually goes this way. Again, no other tasks or to-do lists. Live on the wild creative side, early in the week, while everyone else is laboring over hard work!

iii. Wed: Today, focus on things that could make you financially abundant. Set up a to-do list for the day that asks you to focus, visualize and do things that may bring in financial wealth and/or opportunities. See where that takes you for the day.

iv. Thurs: Focus on tasks that share who you are with the world. This could be marketing your music, or promoting online. Or it could be picking up the phone or sending emails. Share with us who you are!

v. Fri: Today, just to “me” day things. Everything that you do should be all about you, loving yourself, nurturing yourself, and being with yourself.

(Of course you can change the days of week to start on weekend if you feel uncomfortable starting creative days on a Monday. But I think it would be fun to change it up a bit).

Ok, the week has ended… How did it feel? Did you stay with the feeling? Were you able to get into an easy flow each day? Were you getting to bliss?

A theory published in 2010 in the journal Thinking Skills and Creativity “links time management and creativity together as being mutually beneficial to each other. Basically, if you're good at managing your time and creating to-do lists, there's a positive correlation to your creative time. The implication is that you can schedule for and decide to be creative, which is exactly what we'll be looking how to do…. creating a block of time where you can let the muse speak. To others, it's more about rescheduling any problem-solving portions of your day when you're at your creative peak.”(Ref: link)

Well, as you all know I’ve been talking about this for years. This is exactly the essence of my artist career coaching, books, and workshops: being business-minded and organized with your creativity, and all your creative business aspects, attracts success. This is the essence of the artist entrepreneur.

How can you get organized? Come work with me, one-on-one. Face your obstacles and fears, overcome your roadblocks, get clear with who you are and what you want and create a creative roadmap plan that will help you realize your life dreams, and GET TO BLISS…

http://www.warriorartistcoaching.com

WHY LA? MY IRONIC AUSSIE PERSPECTIVE

2012-09-25T17:33:00.002-07:00

Why is it that rollerbladers look so cool when they clasp their hands behind their back?

Why are those Mexican take away vendors far more delicious than going into a Mexican restaurant?

Why is it that I'm the only Australian who is not rolling my 'r's yet?

Why does everyone want to pay a fortune and live in Malibu when all they get is Marine layer all day?

Why have they built an underground railroad when they know there will be another earthquake?

Why are there so many pretty blondes with fake breasts on Sunset Boulevard?

What is a frappaccino and a moccacino? Haven't these guys been to Italy yet and realized there is no such thing?

Why is Hollywood called Hollywood when there aren't any woods?

Why do they say that California is so full of fresh running water yet no one will drink it?

What's so bad about living in the Valley? Isn't the west 'valley' just as spread out, traffic ridden, smog polluted and identical?

What makes L.A so special about becoming famous as a rock star when no one comes to see your gigs anyway?

Why, when rollerblades are so in now, do they now bring back rollerskates?

Why is car insurance so expensive yet the DMV doesn't check your car for rust etc? Do they really care if you have an accident?

Why DO Americans drive on the right side of the road? Didn't they come from England?

How come President Clinton gets away with sleeping around?

How come everyone thinks anywhere outside of L.A that's in an hour's radius is SO FAR from anywhere, when it takes an hour within L.A to get somewhere?

Why is car insurance so expensive? Really? Is it a silent plot against Chevron?

Do circling helicopters REALLY help catch the bad guys or do they just like making noise?

Or do they like creating crowds?

Are we all numb to freeway car chases or do we really enjoy watching the show on all 30 channels?

Has anyone met Angelina?

I've only met a handful who don't work in the entertainment industry. Why are they here? Really? Surely there's a quieter place to raise your children…?

What's with immigration? Are they that slow in returning phone calls? Or don't they have phones at their desk? Why does it take so long just to approve a piece of paper? Aren't they getting enough office supplies to find a pen?

When someone asked me what I did for a living (which is the usual at a Hollywood party) I said I grow gum trees. Why do they believe me?

Why does everyone think I'm from England? I mean Australia is the same distance away. Or doesn't anyone know about Australia? (yeah we speak German…)

And in question to the previous questions: with all the tourist ads on Australia, why do they think of England first? Have you ever seen a British tourist commercial recently? "Come to London…. and drink Fosters with the Aussies in Earl Court…"

Why is it that I grew up in Australia saying 'guacohmaaaaale' and they really say here 'guacamole'?

What IS it about Malibu, when there's only one windy road and plenty of land slides?

Why do they still sell Tang here as a drink when in the southern hemisphere its been banned for a decade because its cancer forming? Is this some form of secret genocide?

Why doesn't any Los Angelene want to ride the buses when I've never been on transport so efficient and economical? Try it, you'd be surprised.

Never Too Old

2012-09-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

If you're at a certain age where you are starting to feel like you are "too old" for what you want to do, think again: perhaps you're just looking at it the wrong way.

Being in the music business, I have heard countless times from artists how they have been told they are "too old" to achieve music success.

Being an overnight sensation takes decades. It is unrealistic to assume that success if overnight. Talk to any business person, and they will say that creating a successful business takes many years, and maturity. Yes, there are flukes. Perhaps sheer luck, timing, or being at the right place, or knowing the right people. But a business that keeps their success over a period of time usually takes time to become successful, and takes a lot of work to stay successful.

So, if you're an artist pushing 40, think of yourself as one of those businesses that have been evolving, learning, working hard and building credibility over time. Because it takes time.

I believe one needs to ignore the "nay-sayers" who tend to knock your age. It's usually their sheer limited view or ignorance that makes them judge you on age first. The metrics by which you should follow should be talent, passion, enthusiasm, and stick-ability.

Talent: merit your abilities based on your unique talents for the "job". Do you feel you have what it takes?
Passion: do you love what you are doing? Do you love it so much you'll do anything to make it happen?
Enthusiasm: are you going about it with sheer joy and excitement? Are you enjoying the journey?
Stick-ability: Are you willing to stick it out and ride the waves? Those who succeed are prepared to go the long haul.

Fiction: you need to be 18-25 to be a successful artist.
Fact: there are many artists who are successful and who have found success in their thirties, forties, fifties and beyond.

Those who tell you that you are too old: stop listening. You are an artist for life. I would imagine you started this when you were knee high to a grass hopper, so don't let them tell you that you are now too old. This is a life long journey of discovery, building your business, and growing to be who you are. If people are telling you that you are too old, but you can agree to the above metrics, then you are listening to the wrong people. They may be star finders who can only see with limited vision; probably companies that only want young artists to mold into stars - who don't talk back, don't have a long track record, and who can sell music based on sex, youth and a short term marketing machine. Is this you? I think not.

You are not short term. You are long term. You are here for life. Work with, and surround yourself with people who believe in your talents, your passion, your enthusiasm and your stick-ability.

Live life on your own merits.

by gilli moon

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JUST GET OUT THERE - Achieving Abundance, Self-Empowerment and Professional Success as an Artist Entrepreneur: BOOK BY GILLI MOON OUT NOW
"Take charge of your Artistic destiny"
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Freedom Warrior

2012-07-08T19:08:00.002-07:00

In my teachings I have discovered there is a common thread amongst Artists and what they are searching for: FREEDOM.

Freedom to tour and perform whenever they wanted; freedom to pursue their Artistic dream, without being inhibited by a day job, lack of money or lack of resources; freedom to write songs; freedom to be who they want to be in their lives, and not trapped by past thoughts, fears, people's perceptions, responsibilities; freedom to create and pursue this naturally challenging career with the time it takes to invest in it; and so forth.

This desire for freedom, although not necessarily mentioned directly, was definitely the underlying current in the questions I received, and the conversations and discussions that took place.

As an Artist, I am constantly exploring freedom in my creativity. I have spent quite a few years studying the path of the spiritual warrior and the essence of being that is the pursuit of freedom. You’ll see by my company name, Warrior Girl Music, and my nick name “warrior girl” that I carry this mantra close to me.

"I realize that I am always free to let go

and observe my life"
- Wayne Dyer

Freedom in the music business means the ability to be in control of your own career and at the same time not be in control of anything, and let the winds of Heaven guide us in our destiny. Let's take a look at the first part of that phrase: being in control.... It's an amazing opportunity to have a sense of freedom with our Artistry, without having to be dictated by companies that are guided by budgets, competition and the commercial machine. Independence from that means you can drive your own career, and be free to create whatever you want - from writing your songs, to producing unique music albums - different, alternative, out of the box - to performing with uniqueness and diversity.

Who says we need to be like the formula on radio? Embrace the fact that you can be different from all that. There are enough people in this country who will love your music without you having to be number 1 on radio which is part manipulated anyway. Many bands fall under the radar of so-called "commercial success" (radio play, MTV video rotation, street press, Grammy awards, etc.) yet can have a lifelong, financially abundant career with a huge fan base. This can be done through being totally unique, different and out of the mainstream, by touring extensively, and knowing how to brand themselves on an independent level.

Being an independent Artist means you can create what you want, and then allow the right people who love what you do, come to you, rather than create packaged songs to an already saturated market which is commonly referred to as the "lowest common denominator". You have the opportunity to be different... to not just spew out the same ol' music that most of us are tired of hearing. We want something fresh, new, unique. The once loved mp3.com, Napster.com and now XM Satellite radio and iTunes are true representations that people are ready to hear something new, even if that means going on that arduous search through the Internet waves to find a little piece of unique "gold"

So who has the gold? You do. Artists have that divine gift called "imagination" that allows us to be totally different with what we create. So be different. There's an amazing sense of freedom in that. Freedom to discover new sounds, new packaging, new marketing ideas. From the beginning to the end, you have that freedom to do what you want, how you want, no strings attached.

Freedom is also about coming from a certain place of non-attachment with our Art. Having "no" control in the process can also be a very liberating thing, and avoids any deflated expectations. Sometimes we have to just "let go" and allow the process of our creations, and our destiny/careers/dreams, to unfold on its own accord.

Let's take a look at the writing process for a moment. Writing songs, or creating anything, even a painting, is like tapping into a creative source that speaks to us. We can't force it, or we get blocked. We just have to be open to it. Once open, we can be very prolific. I'm always surprised that my best writing is when I just brainstorm and let the words flow. Sometimes I even "let go" of trying so hard (maybe even turn the TV on or something to take my mind off the pressure), and all of a sudden the song comes to life. How many songs have you written in the car, or doing something completely different? The words can't stop coming at you can they?

In the studio, the Art of production is about the freedom of allowing the song to tell us what it needs. We can't force it. We become the observer... allowing the pieces to come to life, as we merely conduct.

Being the observer doesn't mean we no longer care about the process. No, what it means is that we don't let our mind, our thoughts, our emotions or our worries get in the way.

“If a warrior is to succeed at anything,
the success must come gently,
with a great deal of effort but with
no stress or obsession.”
~Carlos Castaneda

Being open to a different path

Let's take a look at career projections. I always talk about defining success on one's own terms, rather than the commercial model. I also remind myself and others that even though we can have all these big dreams, and create plans.... it will never turn out the way we planned... and that's a great thing. We may project a certain future for ourselves, but ultimately, the universe, destiny, fate, whatever you want to call it, has other plans. These plans are part of the divine mystery of "why we are here" and as Artists we can respect that because it's all about creativity in the end, and all about freedom. By not being so attached to certain outcomes, we will never be let down. Instead, we will be offered wonderful gifts, which is part of the magic and mystery of it all.

I had an “aah haa” moment with an Artist recently. She had a one-on-one session with me and we were talking about how she wanted to leave her day job, as a social worker, and go into full time music as a touring and performing Artist. But she didn’t know how to transition from earning a strong salary as a social worker, into the music world where she was currently making no money doing coffee houses and the like. She also wondered if she was talented enough to compete in the music business and couldn’t really figure our her competitive advantage (her talent + uniqueness). Still, her passion is music and she really wanted to transition over. I asked her, “what do you sing about?”. She responded, “about relationships, my truth, and sometimes the stories of the kids I counsel through my day job.”

I offered a suggestion to perhaps explore some of the venues and outlets through her work, where she could perhaps perform to the kids, or the parents or other social workers, and thereby taking a different path (rather than the traditional music venues) to sing at. This was an ahh haa moment. Her eyes lit up and she started to smile. For the next half hour we brainstormed all of these ideas about how she could build some shows in her arena, where she could sing positive songs that would help in healing and be therapeutic. She saw visions of herself singing at schools, and even to general adults about abuse prevention, and various strong topics that she wrote about. She no longer felt blocked in not knowing how to access traditional venues, and realized she knew way more opportunities in her work field, than she realized previously, as to get her music out here.

In 30 minutes, this Artist became free. She freed herself from the bondage of her expectations of having to pursue her music career like everyone else, but instead find her own path, a different path, and quite possibly a more abundant and higher purpose path.
With discipline comes freedom

The book, “The Way of the Warrior” talks about the warrior who sets aside all distractions such as self pride or the desire to waste time or energy on the mundane. “Eliminate the unnecessary”, with a Zen perfection of “free-mindedness”. With freedom from distraction, the warrior becomes “emancipated to pursue perfection in all things”. For us, the Warrior Artist, that means to cut away, like a sword, all that doesn’t serve us, in order to pursue excellence as an Artist, and have the freedom to do what we want. This takes an incredible amount of discipline.

How can we find freedom to create, pursue our career, and manage all the business side of music along with being the Artist? How can we find the time to be free, unconfined by the walls of a day job, financial burdens, so many hours in the day, the multitude of tasks we need to get done as a creator, and a business person?

It means that we need to adopt discipline in our day to day lives, in order to accomplish it all. In my view, that means practicing, on a daily basis, some very important and effective warrior THINGS. Here are mine:

o Clear the clutter, and the superfluous from your life- all that is unnecessary. That may mean as simple as getting your desk in order, to something complex and life changing as a job you don’t like doing, or projects that are wasting your time. Focus, instead, on what DOES serve you, that is part of your broader dreams and goals in life: and focus/zone in on them.

o Remove the obstacles, both external and internal. Perhaps you live too far away from the hub of the city you want to perform in. Work towards moving. Need some money? Get a job. In a sour relationship? End it.

o Find clarity. Get really clear with who you are and what you want. This can take years. By doing the exercises in the first half of this book, I hope you get clear a lot quicker. Finding clarity also means getting specific. If you want to increase your financial yearly wealth (so you can do the things you want to do), get specific on how much that is. $50K? $100K? $1mil? How much do you want? Write it down.

o Feel inspired. Finding the inspiration in your day to day process is so important. Lose the stuff that doesn’t inspire you, and move towards things that do.

o Use discipline as a tool for personal freedom: use my time management exercises, build your priorities, understand what it means to be organized.

o Keep it simple. Too many things, desires, wants, tasks, projects, avenues, ideas, create too many distractions, lost opportunities, missing arrows: don’t let your head get too fuzzy. Just keep it simple. You can do it all – but you can’t do it all at the same time!

o Being one with the universe and its timing might sound esoteric and airy-fairy, but if you believe in a higher power, or a universal law, then you’ll understand that you don’t have to FORCE your success to come to fruition…. Most of the time, you just have to get out of your own way and let it happen, its own way, when the timing is right.

o Trust that all will be taken care of speaks similarly to the above point, with the added notion that you need to trust in your path, your instincts, your gut, and that everything happens for a reason and it will ALL BE OK.

o Seeking no one else's approval but your own – I repeat this notion throughout this book because it’s important. Listen to others, learn from others, take feedback and advice. But at the end of the day, you are the ONLY one to approve of what you want to do and the choices you make. This is YOUR life and it will be different to anyone else’s path (you are unique).

o Do whatever it takes to make it happen: this is very much about pursuing excellence on a daily basis. You want to not only do your best, but you want to do what it takes (within your reality and with proper reason without hurting anyone else to make it happen). You have to be willing to defend your vision and dreams to the world, and stand by it with conviction. Nothing else matters.

o Have personal freedom as the goal: it’s a lifelong journey, but freedom is truly an amazing place to arrive to, either far away in the future, or little glimpses of it on a daily basis.

o Create change, within and without: your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to create change in YOUR life (grow as a human being and transcend to a higher awareness of yourself) as well as CREATE CHANGE in others. This is where having a life mission comes into play. Through your Artistry, you have the responsibility to create a SHIFT around you (consciousness, thoughts, etc.). Think about what you write about, sing about or create about. What is it that you WANT TO SAY? What is your STORY? What do you want to change or affect in this world? Mine is a commitment to inspire passion, creativity, freedom and love in each and every one of us through my songs that I write and perform, as well as the stories and teachings I offer.

o Take the path least traveled - no struggle - with the least resistance: We are here for a good time, not a hard time. I like finding the path of least resistance (that doesn’t hurt me or others, or make me feel like I’m on a rollercoaster ride), yet at the same time be a DIFFERENT ROAD. I don’t want to live someone else’s life. I want to live MY life, and it’s a unique life. How I emulate that as an Artist will actually make me UNIQUE and therefore a marketable Artist, with music that people will want and shows they will want to watch. BE DIFFERENT, and try new ways to navigate this amazing journey that is your life.

All of these sound easy in writing. The reality is, it’s a life long journey of practicing Warriorship. I’m still a baby at it, and that’s ok: I’m a lifelong Artist so I have all my life to pursue my Warriorship, my excellence, and my Artistic passions: that’s why I say I’m “LIVING MY DREAM” because my dream is in the process of doing and learning it all.

Blog feedback:

“This really came at a good time for me, with an album recently completed and a bunch of fear rising in the face of my ambitions for the next steps. It's good to be reminded that it is a journey. I'm reminded of a Joseph Campbell quote,

"Sometimes we have to give up the life we've planned in order to have the one that awaits us".

So, thanks,”

- Brett Robin Wood, Artist

gilli moon's silent warrior:

The silent warrior is in all of us. It's not about war, nor fighting and definitely not about struggle. It's about an inner peace and a whole lot of courage to face all fears in un-chartered waters, finding the path least travelled and at the same time, finding the path of least resistance. I take responsibility for myself. I follow a preserved set of personal freedoms. I am not without flaw, and in tolerating that I see and use my strengths. The warrior, the Artist, the professional, can only be effective when free to make decisions on their own. The biggest secret is to do what you love most. Take on the Zen spirit! I am a warrior girl and I encourage everyone to tap into their warrior within.

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~ by gilli moon
Come work with me in one-on-one artist coaching, and see how you can align with your sense of self and worthiness to make your dreams come true: http://www.warriorartistcoaching.com

JUST GET OUT THERE
Achieving Abundance, Self-Empowerment and Professional Success as an Artist Entrepreneur
NEW BOOK BY GILLI MOON OUT NOW
"Take charge of your Artistic destiny"
www.justgetoutthere.net
*******************************
Australia’s Hollywood based Gilli Moon is an Artist, Author, Motivational Speaker Author and Artist Entrepreneur.
JUST GET OUT THERE, Gilli Moon’s 2nd book, is the Artist's bible to achieving abundance, self-empowerment and professional success as an Artist entrepreneur. 300+ pages filled with in-depth tips, tools, steps and resources on getting out there as an Artist, all the while achieving personal, financial and professional success and joy. The book covers topics such as defining your uniqueness; building your dream and creating a plan around your goals; balancing the art with the 'business' through time management and prioritization techniques; fundamentals in producing, releasing, marketing, promotion, performing and touring; using the Internet; and a plethora of in-depth tips, tools, steps and resources on getting out there as an Artist. Throughout this book, Gilli is guiding you, asking you questions, giving you exercises, and making you think and act the way a strong business savvy Artist should, leading you to the Artist you ultimately want to become. JUST GET OUT THERE provides Artists inspiration: a sense of hope and assurance through anecdotal stories (some about Gilli’s personal life), motivational messages and real, practical, tried and tested strategies. Ultimately it’s about enjoying the journey along your path to creative success.
Grab your copy at www.justgetoutthere.net
More about Gilli Moon at www.gillimoon.com

You are your own island

2012-06-12T11:24:00.001-07:00

A while back I had returned from THE most beautiful place: Bermuda. If you haven't been there, I highly recommend it. I was there teaching for the Bermuda Artist and Songwriting Retreat which is sponsored by Songsalive! It's a yearly event and this was the inaugural one. Richard Bassett, our host, picked us up at the airport and we drove along a one lane road (the main road!) from one end of the island to the other. English cut hedges juxtaposed against wild jungles and rainforests, and the ever present turquoise blue water guiding us on our path. Bermuda is still a British colony but has its own government. They have made their Bermudian dollars of equal value to the U.S. dollar, and in fact are completely identical save for the cool colors Bermudians have chosen for their cash.

I had no expectations of Bermuda except that I was going to be on a magical journey, and indeed it was. We arrived at 9 Beaches Resort, which is on the far tip of the long island (it's only 1.5 miles wide). The first thing I noticed was the array of huts (cabanas) all on stilts in the water. Was I in paradise? Apparently this Resort had once been an eco-living place. I couldn't believe the water, and the way this "village" was architecturally designed. Quite impressive. The cabana nestled perfectly on the side of the hill overlooking the water. I really felt like I was on a tropical island. Designed in white and blue cloth, with simple furniture, I ended up living in it for 6 days with peace, tranquility and joy. My view of the ocean gave me solace and inspiration.

For three days, I taught and empowered Artists at the Bermuda Artist and Songwriters Retreat, co-created with Songsalive!, which was held under a huge white tent on the grass near the water. It actually rained for the first 3 days, with the heavens opening up in torrential rain one moment, and then sun the next. Very fickle weather, but all the time it was magical. I felt like we were truly on an isolated piece of property which is so perfect for a retreat. I can't remember when I felt so tranquil as this, yet so energized at the same time.

Magic.

The grass is always greener…

We had roughly fifty participants in the retreat. My part was to work with them on Artist development, empowering the Artists to understand about the music business, marketing and taking their own steps to get out there, so to speak.

One participant, known as Blac, was a talented reggae cross hip hop Artist. He spoke very softly and showed a lot of humility. Most of the time he sat listening and enthused, soaking up everyone’s presentations. In my session with the group, when asked about his goals, he meekly put up his hand and offered that he wanted to not only do well as an Artist in his country, but also in America. His dream was to make it in America. It’s an interesting phenomenon that happens worldwide, you know. We all want to “make it” somewhere else, because we think it’s bigger and better. Now, I understand that the U.S. has a lot that’s attractive about it: big population to sell lots of records… the Hollywood glamour. Surely we all want a bit of that, no?

Most Bermudians want that too. They feel isolated because they live in such a small country, a small island in fact. The music scene there is small. But the music is amazing. They have such a cross section of people that the music is diverse and rhythmic, quite marketable for both America and Europe.

I’d have to say the same thing about Australia. I left Australia mostly because I felt that the industry was too small, and the population also, to really have a go, especially as an indie Artist, where you can’t necessarily make a huge splash like the majors do, but instead build momentum over time with small markets at a time. In America you can do that with 250 million people. You can market yourself in one area, create some fans, then go to another, build your fan base, and over a few years you can have quite a solid mailing list of fans who love and follow your music.

I’ve met countless Artists from Australia who seem to land on my doorstep in Los Angeles (as if I’m their long lost sister who can supply them with the Holy Grail) anxious to leave their country behind and find opportunity in America. I often ask them, “What’s happening back home these days?” All I get over and over again is, “Oh it’s dead. There’s nothing happening.”

“It’s too small, you can’t get ahead.”

“Just Australian Idols get on the radio and there aren’t many radio stations so there’s no hope.”

I got the same answers from Bermudians. I get the same from Italian Artists, and English Artists. Any Artists from anywhere. Similar theme.

But guess what, I get the same answers from Americans! This is not just a secular phenomenon. It happens worldwide. Many think the grass is always greener somewhere else.

So let’s get back to Blac in Bermuda. I was critiquing everyone’s demos and Blac offered his up for critique. He gave me a 4 disc CD handwritten on the CD face. He did have a professionally designed CD cover though. I listened to the first track and whilst it wasn’t an in-your-face hit, being slightly R&B but not quite (when you record in a certain genre you really have to nail the production to make it sound authentic, especially to American ears who invented R&B), it was still a nice song and I thought it would do well in Bermuda. He was talented. I suggested swapping out the first slow track with the second, more up tempo song which seemed to be really, really good. I told him, “good demo, a work in progress, and good luck.” I left him at that. He was thankful, ready to work on his material, humbled and sat down in his seat, ready to hear the other critiques.

A bird in the hand…

Here’s the hook: a week after I left Bermuda I heard that Blac won the Bermuda Music Award for best dance song. These Awards are by no means small. They are respected worldwide. He won the best award in Bermuda for that very song (the second more up tempo song on the CD that I critiqued, and… phew.. the one I liked) which also had been in high rotation on local commercial radio.

Lessons: one, you never know who’s going to be in your vicinity (or your own workshop, that’s one for me) who come across humble yet are really successful, and two, you are your own island.

This means that even though you may want to “make it” somewhere else, or think that somewhere else is better than where you are now, don’t ignore the very real possibility that right where you are has the most magnificent, awesome opportunities and rewards. It’s like owning your own island. Blac may have been holding onto the notion of “making it” in America, but meanwhile on his own “island” he is a star.

Think about where you are right now, soak it in and be thankful for what you have, what you have created, and what you are about to realize in your own backyard.

Be your own island.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

* * *

The silent warrior is in all of us. It's not about war, nor fight and definitely not about struggle.

It's about an inner peace and a whole lot of courage to face all fears in un-chartered waters, finding the path least traveled and at the same time, finding the path of least resistance.

I am a warrior girl and I encourage everyone to tap into their warrior within.

* * *
~ by gilli moon

Come work with me in one-on-one artist coaching, and see how you can align with your sense of self and worthiness to make your dreams come true: http://www.warriorartistcoaching.com

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JUST GET OUT THERE
Achieving Abundance, Self-Empowerment and Professional Success as an Artist Entrepreneur

NEW BOOK BY GILLI MOON OUT NOW

"Take charge of your Artistic destiny"

www.justgetoutthere.net

*******************************

Australia’s Hollywood based Gilli Moon is an Artist, Author, Motivational Speaker Author and Artist Entrepreneur.

JUST GET OUT THERE, Gilli Moon’s 2nd book, is the Artist's bible to achieving abundance, self-empowerment and professional success as an Artist entrepreneur. 300+ pages filled with in-depth tips, tools, steps and resources on getting out there as an Artist, all the while achieving personal, financial and professional success and joy. The book covers topics such as defining your uniqueness; building your dream and creating a plan around your goals; balancing the art with the 'business' through time management and prioritization techniques; fundamentals in producing, releasing, marketing, promotion, performing and touring; using the Internet; and a plethora of in-depth tips, tools, steps and resources on getting out there as an Artist. Throughout this book, Gilli is guiding you, asking you questions, giving you exercises, and making you think and act the way a strong business savvy Artist should, leading you to the Artist you ultimately want to become. JUST GET OUT THERE provides Artists inspiration: a sense of hope and assurance through anecdotal stories (some about Gilli’s personal life), motivational messages and real, practical, tried and tested strategies. Ultimately it’s about enjoying the journey along your path to creative success.

Grab your copy at www.justgetoutthere.net

More about Gilli Moon at www.gillimoon.com

Love, Joy and flow. What more could you want in life?

2012-05-29T17:33:00.002-07:00

I was driving around LA the other day and became depressed listening to NPR news on the radio. Middle East discontent (when was there ever a different time?); political discontent; shootings, kidnappings, armed robberies, car chases, police blockades; economic woes: NASDAQ this, WallStreet that; Foreclosures, unemployment,… the list went on and on. I started to feel the tension in my hands, as my fingers began to clutch the wheel harder than usual. I honked at a driver in front of me who cut in too close, and my jaw started to clench.

I turned the radio off. “Enough!”I shouted to myself inside my car, driving along the ever-being-repaired 405 at snail pace speed. Cars choc-a-block on the freeway, all going at about 10 miles an hour, even though a new lane was built to help the process.

I looked at the traffic, and I felt the blocks inside mirroring this tornado of a world I was seeing and hearing.

“I don’t want this life of strife. I don’t want disharmony. I want harmony. I want joy. I want fun. I want things to turn out like I dreamed. I want… flow…”

The minute I said “flow”, the traffic started to open up and i could regain normal speed. It was like I attracted a clear road just by thinking good thoughts. All of a sudden, the whole lane was empty in front of me. I had a clear path, an easy path. I turned the radio back on, and NPR was now playing a really nice and vibey smooth jazz number. I began to sing along,and my heart felt at peace.

Abraham, (of Abraham-Hicks)says, “move to a place of less resistance: focusing activates a vibration, and then the law of attraction manifests it.”

Sounds like a lot of words here, but let me dive in to explain.

It’s not about getting the things done, that you said you’ddo, and being a stress bucket. It’s not about being busy for the sakes of being busy. Nor is it about drama, clutter, negativity, world doom, or unrealized dreams. We’re here for the fun of life: to experience life, for ourselves – and we can, in a joyous, dream filled, flowing way.

By turning the radio off, I immediately took the focus off the negatives, and all the stuff in ‘bigbad’ world, and opened up my mind and heart to what I wanted, in my world. I started focusing on what I wanted, and how I wanted to feel. By the way, focusing means:thinking - believing - and creating. It’sall one in the same. As an artist, I relate to this a lot. I create a song, I focus on the joy of it. I believe in the process of doing it. It’s all one.

To put it simply, if we start focusing on what we want, andit’s a good “want” that emanates from love and pure desire, then that is the first step for actualizing that want, because the universe gives a little help too, in delivering it to you.

Some of my artist clients (in my coaching sessions) complain about how hard it is to achieve something. They often remove a really great goal they want to achieve, from their written Plan, because it seems too daunting to achieve. My advice is that not all goals are meant to be achieved by your own sweat alone. In fact, if you merely put the goal into action, even just a little bit, you’ll be surprised at how the universe starts opening doors for you to lighten your load. One minute you have no idea how to achieve it.Next minute you have that achieved and more opportunities come flooding in.

It takes the first step. A single step. A joy-filled step.

I wrote my book, “Just Get Out There” as an artist bible on achieving success and abundance. But look at the title: Just…. Get out there. That word, ‘just” is the key to it all. Yes, we all know we need to get out there. But when you make the shift to know you should get out there, no matter what, even if you don’t know how to, it’s amazing how things start falling into place to show you the way. Just… give it a go. Just…. Try. Just… do, with no deep analysis: just…. Flow….

I am really skilled in giving artists, and individuals, the impetus and inspiration to create, write down and begin goals. But the actualizing is up to you. Having your goals close by, with some simple strategies on how you can achieve them, is the perfect start. Don’t worry about the missing links, the knowledge on how to achieve them: put some trust in the universe to help manifest them for you. And put some groovy music on the radio while you “just” do it.

Abraham also says, “TheBasis of Your Life is Freedom; the Purpose of Your Life is Joy.”

No goal can ever be accomplished if it isn’t one filled with joy. You have to LOVE it, and WANT it for it to come true. Really. How many times do we put off mundane tasks because we despise doing them. How many times do we become depressed when all we do in life is boring, disconnected duties.We must live our lives on a daily basis doing what we WANT to do, loving the journey and entering into the activity joyfully. It’s about the FUN of it.

Artists and musicians have an easy time creating because it’sso much fun to them. When something is fun, you get to a place of less resistance. Everything because easy,… and it is realized fast.

Next time you feel like you’re stuck out at third basewondering how to get home, ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I enJOYing what I’m doing right? (If not,change the feeling. Maybe it’s time to do what makes you happy and fills you with joy, and let go of the yucky feeling tasks)

2. Am I listening only to the positive? (if not,turn that bad “radio” off. Critiquers, your inner critique, and nay-sayers begone).

3. Am I achieving what I want to achieve? ( If not,change direction. Maybe it’s time to take a new path,… of less resistance).

It’s up to you if you want to force the paddles to try and row up stream. Or, let go of the paddles and let the boat gently carry you downstream without any resistance, while you enjoy the beautiful sunshine and nature along the way…

…flow…

~ by gilli moon

Come work with me in one-on-one artist coaching, and see how you can align with your sense of self and worthiness to make your dreams come true: http://www.warriorartistcoaching.com

Retweet this

JUST GET OUT THERE
Achieving Abundance, Self-Empowerment and Professional Success as an Artist Entrepreneur

NEW BOOK BY GILLI MOON OUT NOW

"Take charge of your Artistic destiny"

www.justgetoutthere.net

*******************************

Australia’s Hollywood based Gilli Moon is an Artist, Author, Motivational Speaker Author and Artist Entrepreneur.

Grab your copy at www.justgetoutthere.net

More about Gilli Moon at www.gillimoon.com

How much are you worth?

2012-04-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

I remember when I only had $600 in my bank account and I felt wealthy and abundant because I didn't owe anyone any money. Being rich is not necessarily about money.

Do you feel wealthy? Have you ever thought about how much you are worth?

Don't buy into the buzz that you have to lack, or that you are just one of the minions that must go without due to the 'economic crisis'. Believe in your self and your WORTH.

Let's look at the word: WORTH. The free online dictionary says,

worth¹

for all one is worth to the utmost; to the full extent of one's powers or ability

worth one's weight in gold extremely helpful, kind, etc.

1. high quality; excellence

2. (Business / Commerce) value, price

It's interesting to me that "worth" is defined not only by a dollar amount, but also by a quality (excellence; high). So if you are contemplating your worth, consider that it doesn't just come in monetary talk. It can also be connected to the value you are able to bring to others, a situation, a project, a deal,... or a song.

Worth attributes to wealth. If you feel you have a strong worth, you can then be deemed as wealthy. See where I'm getting at? So look outside the box when you start thinking about your value. You may not have lots of money, and you may be an unknown artist, and you may even have little experience or credits: but if you FEEL that you are rich in talent, rich in experience, rich in a catalog of hundreds of songs, even rich in AMBITION,... you will go along way in proving your VALUE and WORTH to the situation or the people looking to you to prove yourself.

So, this leads me to the next part. It's difficult to know your value, and feel your worth, if you do not feel your worthiness. Do you feel "worthy" of the opportunity in front of you?

I for one have had doubts in my life when faced with an opportunity of situation, whereby I may not have felt worthy to receive the opportunity. This may come from lack of confidence, or experience, or perhaps a feeling of lack of talent. But all of this manifests due to self esteem.. your sense of self. My last blog was centered around sense of self. (Read it here).

If you really feel like you can do the job, or that you know you are talented, then FEEL WORTHY of it. If you put out that sense of self, you will attract the positive response in return. It's all about your attitude.

I wrote music to these Anonymous lyrics, and called it "Attitude". Check them out:

Chorus

Attitude, you know is better than aptitude

With the right aptitude and a modicum of aptitude

You can succeed in anything you choose.

If you think you are beaten you are

If you think you dare not you don’t

If you’d like to win, but think you can’t

It’s almost a cinch that you won’t

If you think you’ll lose you’ve lost

For out of the world you’ll find

Success begins with a fellow’s will

It’s all in the state of the mind

(Chorus)

If you think you’re outclassed, you are

You’ve got to think high, to rise

You’ve got to be sure of yourself

Before you can ever win a prize

Many cowards fail

Before their work is done

Think big and your deeds will grow

Think small and you’ll fall behind

(Chorus)

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger or faster one

But sooner of later the one who wins

Is the fellow who thinks that he can

Attitude, is better than aptitude

You can succeed in anything you decide

Its all in the state of the mind.

I ask you all, do you feel wealthy today?

Come work with me in one-on-one artist coaching, and see how you can align with your sense of self and worthiness to make your dreams come true: http://www.warriorartistcoaching.com

Retweet this

JUST GET OUT THERE
Achieving Abundance, Self-Empowerment and Professional Success as an Artist Entrepreneur

NEW BOOK BY GILLI MOON OUT NOW

"Take charge of your Artistic destiny"

www.justgetoutthere.net

*******************************

Australia’s Hollywood based Gilli Moon is an Artist, Author, Motivational Speaker Author and Artist Entrepreneur.

Grab your copy at www.justgetoutthere.net

More about Gilli Moon at www.gillimoon.com

Building a sense of self

2012-03-29T16:44:00.002-07:00

In coaching creative artists around the world, I’ve come to discover that there are similar issues or situations that constantly comes up in the sessions, no matter what type of artist, level of success, age, or where they live. It centers around these feelings and questions such as:

“I’m not good enough”

“Why am I not getting to a level I want to get to?”

“People tell me I should do this and that, or don’t understand why I’m not on the radio or a success”

“Others judge me”

“I can’t finish because it’s not good enough”

“I’m overwhelmed, I just can’t get it all together”

“I don’t want to make a big goal, in case it doesn’t happen”

All these, and more, can have their own reasons and answers, but it emanates from one key, core aspect: our sense of self.

To be clear, I see “sense of self” as different to self-esteem. It includes self-esteem, and is dependent on self-esteem, but it is more than self-esteem.

What is a sense of self:

I have read in dictionaries and the like that a sense of self pertains to the increasing awareness of self, the world, and interpersonal relationships as we become adults from childhood. Yes, I do understand this definition, but I’d like to postulate that a true sense of self is actually more like how children see themselves. A child, unbeknownst to the big world and all that is (good and bad) have a remarkable sense of self in that they are honest and strong in their beliefs (whether true or not), and generally are inhibited. They listen to themselves and play when they want, and create when they want, and express when they want. I wish adults had more of a child’s qualities, or at least to be able to look at the world with child-like yes: fresh, ambitious, open, and creative. Unfortunately, as we get older, we start to build judgments on ourselves and others, and start comparing ourselves to others, to a point where we can lose our inner identity and trust in our own instincts.

My definitions of “sense of self” are:

· An innate feeling/sense/trust/knowing of who you are and who you want to become.

· Finding and speaking your voice.

· Tuning everybody out. Listening to your own higher purpose. I call it “seek no one else’s approval but your own.”

· Being secure with who you are. Meaning, opposite of being insecure. So, you trust who you are, you know who you are (as much as you can as we are discovering ourselves our whole lives); and you believe in who.you.are.

· Being the master of your destiny, not the victim of circumstance.

· A “sense of peace”.

· Tapping into your instincts and trusting them (rather than second guessing).

What blocks a sense of self:

· Need of other people’s approval – many of us look out, not in, for approval. We listen to others and take in their comments, often judgmental. This causes us to second guess our initial instincts and often creates what I call “commence-aphobia”: the inability to start due to fears of not being good enough or not meeting other people’s expectations.

· Judgment from others (allowing them to judge you) - Remember, we don’t get judged, we allow ourselves to be judged and we listen to what they say.

· Self-judgment – “I’m not good enough.”, or “I can do this better”, and any negative words and feelings that your inner critique.

· A skewed sense of perfection - If you think you can’t begin something, or put out to the world something you’ve been working on, it may be that you have a funny sense of what perfection is. Maybe you want it to be “perfect” but what does that really mean? In a way, by not completing something because it has to be “perfect”, may really be that you think you are “imperfect” and therefore won’t begin/complete/share your work.

How to build a sense of self:

Journaling/writing positively – often a great way to push out the negative thought and conjur up positivity. Take time out on a daily basis to write your thoughts and hash out any concerns. Then create positive affirmations you can live by. Stick those affirmations on your mirror, wall, door, anywhere you can remind yourself about who you really are.

Follow through without judgment – take a step, even the smallest, decide to not only do it, but actually finish it. The art of completion can be tough, but it helps your sense of self as it gives you a great sense of achievement when accomplishing even the smallest of tasks. Why do you think I titled my book, “Just Get Out There”? Because by just getting out there, no matter the outcomes, or even knowing the way, you will achieve and succeed by the very act of doing.

Inner Listening! - Listen to what you like; listen to your instincts (that inner positive voice that tells you what is good versus bad. It’s there all the time for you if you tap into it and push out the inner critique.

Build strong goals, both short term and long term. I’ve spent quite a bit in my book “Just Get Out There” on how to build a solid plan to achieve your goals. It takes time (not just in writing ,but in implementing, so time management is key), as well as feelings of hope and wanting to write a goal. If you don’t have a strong sense of self, it’s hard to even write one goal.

Let’s look at the initial questions and issues again, and match them with a balanced sense of self perspective:

“I’m not good enough” – I question, “what barometer are you comparing yourself to be “good enough”? This ties into my “perfection” analysis above. Don’t compare yourself to others. Just do your best.

“Why am I not getting to a level I want to get to?” – I don’t agree with levels. It shows that you are comparing yourself to someone or something that is beyond your control and a false notion of success. Read my blog (also a chapter in my book “Just Get Out There”) http://gillidiary.blogspot.com/2006/01/levels-to-nowhere.html . I wrote, I’m successful already. I define success on my own terms. I don’t believe in “levels”. I see our creative journey as simply that, a wonderful journey, and I don’t feel like I have to climb the steps to any pearly gates in order to be a better artist or be successful. So… in my opinion, there is no level to climb. It’s all one level.

“People tell me I should do this and that, or don’t understand why I’m not on the radio or a success” – Yes, this can certainly stop you in your tracks and make you question your own judgment. Simply put: don’t listen to everybody’s “you shoulda, you coulda” unsolicited comments. Define success on your own terms. Another aspect to this is those who are not in the entertainment industry basically know nothing about it. No, you don’t learn about it by reading glossy/trashy magazines of people on the red carpet. Knowing what it takes to “make it”, so to speak, is a giant black hole. The answer is, “making it” is an illusion. Define success on your own terms, not by others’ standards which are usually ignorant of where you, yes YOU, want to be.

“Others judge me” – again, don’t listen to their judgments. Learn from those you respect, and only listen to chosen few who you admire. Other than that, seek no one else’s approval but you’re on. People will judge. Get used to it. The more you are in the public spotlight, the more people will judge. It’s up to you how you respond, or not. I recommend don’t respond, and don’t listen to the naysayers.

“I can’t finish because it’s not good enough” – This ties into self-esteem, and a false sense of perfection. You can’t finish because finishing it any less than perfect may just rock your boat, and not being able to finish is more about you not feeling good enough. You ARE good enough, for your own definition of success: I say, just put it out there! Besides, who cares if you don’t finish it? Too much is spent on completion. Enjoy the journey of creating! It’s way more fun!

“I’m overwhelmed, I just can’t get it all together” – I spend a LOT of time with my clients talking about time management and learning to prioritize. The sense of being overwhelmed does not mean you have too many things to do, or too many goals to achieve. You can do it ALL, but…. Not necessarily at the same time. So, that means prioritizing what comes first, second, third, and that takes a little time management skill. My book, “Just Get Out There”, has a great chapter on this called “What’s Time Got To Do with It.” A little time management structure and scheduling ideas can remove your feeling of being overwhelmed, and instead, help you with getting your best work done.

“I don’t want to make a big goal, in case it doesn’t happen” – The self-defeating prophecy: I won’t dream incase it will never come true… How do you know it won’t come true? Actually, it won’t come true if you don’t plan it. Ever learn about the Law of Attraction? Big dreams and goals only come to us if we focus on them, so start writing your goals down, and creating a plan of action. I love working with artists on their plan, and together we create step by step tangible strategies to realize them. Without you knowing, all of a sudden, they come true!

Come work with me in one-on-one artist coaching, and see how you can align with your sense of self to make your dreams come true: http://www.warriorartistcoaching.com

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Whitney Houston and the death of my own childhood music business fantasy

2012-02-11T21:55:00.000-08:00

Today, Whitney Houston died. When I heard the news, I cried. Tears poured down my face. I had to sit and think why this affected me so much. Was it that she was famous? Was it because she was such a talented singer? Was it because she was relatively young (48)? Was it because I liked her music? I'd say it was all of these, but more importantly her death, and leading up to her death, her unquestionable demise as a pop star, including her drug addiction problems, represented an unspoken distaste I have for the music business.

Who me? I distaste the music business? Yes. I acquiesce to my true feelings here. If little Whitney ended up a teacher, or a bank teller, or some mundane, ordinary nine to five worker girl, I strongly believe she would be alive today. Fame killed her. The music business, and what it does to stars, killed her. These are strong sentiments and I'm putting the blame on a machine that rises these talented artists to famous "stardom", only to then be chewed up and spat out by the same hand that fed them. It's disgusting.

I was eighteen when I fell in love with Whitney Houston's first album, and I knew every line to every songs. In fact, I would sing along with her in my living room. She was my vocal teacher. She was my idol. She was the epitome of everything I wanted for myself as a singer. I wanted her life. It was Whitney who drew me to New York first, then Los Angeles, to wanting to work in the music business, to wanting a record deal, and to make music videos. It was Whitney, signed to Sony Records, who inspired me to walk down Madison Avenue in New York, when I was 21, and walk into the Sony Columbia Records lobby and dream of my future. It was Whitney's music that encouraged me to write songs with soul and feel, and lyrics about love and "dancing with somebody."

And it was Whitney that lost my faith in the whole fame making machine that the music business is a culprit of, like all entertainment businesses.

Being in the spotlight has its stress: you are put on a pedestal by fans and industry around the world; you are expected to be something that is an illusion; you make money, you lose money; you marry other celebrities (because they relate to what you're going through), and you lose marriages; you fall victim to the party life, the fast life, the drug and alcohol life; you get dropped by the label that made you a star; and when you're lying on the ground trying to get back up, no one is there to pick up the pieces. It's a lonely, cruel life.

Now, I'm not going to speculate as to why Houston died, but I know that she had a tumultuous personal life, with her marriage to Bobby Brown, and subsequent drug addiction issues. But more recently, she seemed to be making a "come back" (whatever that means, 'cause I don't know one artist that stops creating and then "comes back". We're always moving forward, you just don't always see it on TV). But I know the powers that be in the biz weren't able to elevate her to the status she once had. It's a tough barometer to climb back to, having been the number one superstar singer in the world. It's a tough ask to try and be normal in a very un-normal world.

So, I was really sad because in a way Whitney Houston's death is like a mini death of my own youth expectations and assumptions I had about what the music business could deliver me. It represented the death of my own childhood music business fantasy.

I have already realized that the only way to succeed in this "business" is to define success on your own terms, as I have done. I created my own record company, Warrior Girl Music, and released music the way I want people to hear it. I've been in charge of my own destiny, so much so I've written two books about it and speak on it at music conferences. I've been the rebel. I've been the "Indie Queen". I've been told I wouldn't be "mainstream" because I have been the rebel, and defiantly Indie. Well, I don't know if I chose to be Indie. I wanted a record deal. I wanted a big fat record deal that gave me all the fame and fortune I needed. But that didn't come along (and I learned that wasn't my fault or lack of talent but I could have easily been in therapy thinking it was all my fault). No, the music business changed as I was growing as an artist, to the point where there was no choice BUT to do it myself, unless I was going to be left on the sidelines.

I decided I didn't want to play hard ball, or dress like a slut, or demean my music choices, to fit into "someone else's" idea. I decided that I didn't want to spend my life pitching songs for a possible deal (that were going to 18 year olds even though I was only 28, but still already too old), but INSTEAD just get out there and DO IT. So i DID it. I didn't waste time waiting. I recorded my albums, and toured THE WORLD, on my dime, mind you, but under my creative control. I've had a BLAST these last 12 years doing just that. MY WAY.

And just when I thought, hey I could use a record company, I started to see the economy and the music business shifting so much so that what I WAS DOING, pioneering on the Internet and running my own label, was THE BEST way, and now everyone is following what I have been doing. Wow. A Pioneer in a new movement called "ARTIST ENTERPRENEURSHIP". Who would have thought?!

I even canceled my membership to the Grammys as I have my own definition of music success.

But.... somewhere in my heart I secretly hung on to the notion that maybe, just maybe, one can be successful authentically in the music business. That maybe talent and hard work does pay off, and that people do come along and help you "make it" and share your music to the world, the right way, without any negative attachments. So I always thought, yeah maybe I could still be signed to that big label, who will take care of me and give me all the things I need and then I don't have to work so hard on my own and all will be well...

But Whitney's death today reminded me that that is not true.

And while there are glimmers of that (Adele seems pretty level headed at age 22, at the top of her game but who knows how her business affairs are going...), I fear that.... really..., like I've witnessed all along...., "making it big time" has it's price.

A huge price to pay.

A personal price. The notion that even after "playing the game", and doing business with the devil; even after writing, recording and performing your songs with heart; and even after managing all the people and vampires who suck off your energy,... the personal price could be just too much to bare.

Perhaps I'm not cut out to win a Grammy or be number one on the radio station you're listening to right now. But I know that I'm talented. I know that my music is real. I know I am a kick ass live performer on stage. I know that I make the best business judgements I can. I don't get caught up in the glamour business, or the fame business, (because that's what it is now... it's just a "fashion business" this music business.) I no longer do deals with vampires and devils in the business (and yes, I have in the past for how would I have learned my lessons?) I make a humble, modest living, I live authentically, and I work hard to express who I am. I can go to sleep at night knowing that I rolled up my sleeves today and put in some good work, hopefully to provide change and joy to the world.

I don't want to pay the personal price. But I do want to share my creativity to the world. I don't want something for nothing. I am willing to work for my results. But I do know I need a modicum of that "fame" stuff so that the music can be heard. So where do we find that balance? How can we live authentically and yet be empowered immensely?

I can only trust in the warrior in me to be the self-empowered, enlightened, giving person; attentive of the snakes, and attracting the good spirits, in this quest called self-expression.

It's a balance, and an acknowledgement of deep, hard truths, that I am learning to accept. (It's so easy to want to continue to believe in that childhood fantasy.) But as I continue to believe in my own path, I know I've made the right choice: to live and create authentically.

I think I'm finally growing up.

~ gilli moon
polymedia artist and expressionist.
www.gillimoon.com

Giving Thanks

2011-12-02T09:30:00.001-08:00

We seldom give thanks, really. We shuffle through our days, our weeks and months in the act of doing. Rarely do we take time to stop and smell the roses, and give thanks except for the one Holiday a year, Thanksgiving. But we shouldn't have to wait for that day to be thankful. Every day can be filled with thanks.
Not only should we thank others, but we should thank ourselves. We should take stock of who we are and who we've become and celebrate our victories, even the small ones. Appreciation of where we've come, along the long path of self-discovery, is so important.
It's easy to give thanks, once we understand how easy it is. It can be for 1 minute a day. Hug yourself, look up to the heavens and say, "thank you universe for giving me permission to be who I want to be, and discover new things, today. Thank you for my growth, and my own self-awareness. Thank you for all the little miracles that add up to one big whole awesome ride, called life."
Whether you believe in God, or Mother Nature, or the Universe, or none of it, there is every reason to give thanks.
Start today, with just a minute, to show your gratitude of YOU, the awesome being that you are.
Now, that I've taken that moment, feeling warm and fuzzy and wonderful as a human being, I want to give thanks to everyone around me. On a personal note, I feel a great sense of achievement today. Fourteen years ago today I moved to the United States from Australia to pursue my dreams as a music recording artist. Since that day I have released 6 albums, on my own label I created; built a worldwide non-profit songwriters organization, Songsalive!; written and published 2 books; toured the States 3 times and all across Europe; and found the man of my dreams and married him.
I am very thankful of the blessings in my life, and the successes that have come to me and that I have created. I am living my dream.
I couldn't have achieved any of that without people. There have been numerous angels in my corner to support and nurture my growth and path and I thank each and every one of them for their guidance and opportunities. I hope I have also assisted their dreams too, even a little bit, for this life is all about the give and the give.

Most of all, I couldn't have achieved any of that without my own sense of purpose, inner confidence and trust that it will all be ok. And it is.
Thank you world.
~ gilli moon

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Australia’s Hollywood based Gilli Moon is an Artist, Author, Motivational Speaker Author and Artist Entrepreneur.

Grab your copy at www.justgetoutthere.net

More about Gilli Moon at www.gillimoon.com

What’s money got to do with it?

2011-10-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today I coached one of my favorite Artist Clients (we work together every month on her music career goals), and the subject of money came up. It came about after she did my Circle of Personal Perspective Exercise (you can find that in my book, Just Get Out There), whereby she perceived her professional goals at a 4 out of 10, less than half. I asked her why she put such a low number, especially after all the work she has been doing in fulfilling her dreams and working on her goals. She replied that it was because even though she has been doing a lot, she isn't making any money from it, and so therefore didn't value her progress.

I reminded her about the chapter I have in my book Just Get Out There, as well as the whole ethos about being a professional artist, in my first book I AM A Professional Artist.

Simply put, I have come to the conclusion from my writings and interviewing other artists, and also how I live my life as an artist, that being a Professional Artist does not mean you have to be making money from your Art. It's a hard pill to swallow even in our enlightened culture, because as a child we and even our parents have been taught that self-value comes from a "good ol' fashioned" job that pays well and affords you all the things you need in this life. I don't want to get into politics in this blog, but I will say that our Western culture emphasizes a definite lenience to "living to work" in our capitalist society, where schools push subjects based on what jobs you can get, and the Arts are pushed aside as electives only, and not mandatory, because it doesn't feed into our "jobs society".

But what if we were brought up to enjoy the Arts, where music, art and dance were encouraged, and where careers in the Arts were respected. Imagine our own self-esteem about following our artistic passions? It would create an entirely different society.

Ask for clarity

2011-07-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Asking for clarity opens the way for the universe to provide you everything you want. Sometimes we stay in a fog because we don't know how to resolve it or we are confused because we get bogged down in the day to day, and too many decisions and directions to choose from.

This is where the "asking" comes in. Take a moment to find some solitude and quiet. Think about all the things you are confused about, or the decisions and directions that are on your plate, and visualize an opening, a space. If you like to meditate, use those practices to concentrate just on your breath and the silence.

Open the well. Empty your thought. Allow emptiness and silence to be with you for a moment.

Then, when you are ready, ask for clarity. Put it out to the universe.

"Universe, release me from my confusion of the past. Give me clarity in my heart. Allow me to look at life from the beginning of the road, as if I have a whole new future in front of me, not weighed down from my past. I want to see everything as if for the first time. I am ready for joy. I am ready for abundance. I am ready to re-invent myself. I am ready for space to be who I want to be and who I want to become, anew."

Take a deep breath and let it come.

~ gilli moon

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#Inspiration - the silent warrior

2011-06-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

The silent warrior is in all of us. it's not about war, nor fight and definitely not about struggle. it's about an inner peace and a whole lot of courage to face all fears in unchartered waters, finding the path least traveled and at the same time, finding the path of least resistance. I am a warrior girl and I encourage everyone to tap into their warrior within.

~ gilli moon

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Where's your focus?

2011-06-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

Recently I attended a workshop on Goal Making, thinking I'd know a lot of the subject matter, but I went anyway as it was free. It ended up changing my whole perspective on not only my goals, but how I communicated my commitment of them. In addition, it allowed me to really take a strong, hard look at what I'm focusing on, and what is important in my life.

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HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST ENTREPRENEUR

2011-04-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST ENTREPRENEUR

Excerpt from Gilli Moon’s book, JUST GET OUT THERE (see end for details)

If you caught this in April's Music Connection, then I hope your creative juices are all flowing :) If you didn't, or even if you did, here's my full article I wrote, and some additions that didn't make the magazine cut. Enjoy!

#Rant #solar

2011-03-14T22:22:00.001-07:00

I'm so thankful I grew up on solar power, to understand how to respect commodities and mother earth. Nuclear is not the answer.

Waiting for the waves

2011-02-14T16:11:00.003-08:00

Have you ever surfed? I’ve body surfed since I was a kid living on the Sydney beaches. But I never actually surfed with a board, though I have often watched, for hours, those who did. Now living in California, I have gone from one surf heaven to another.

It’s an interesting concept, surfing. You might be wondering why I chose the word “concept” over the word “sport”. For the sake of this chapter, I’m going to call it a “concept” because the Art of surfing could almost reveal one of the secrets to life: the ability to wait.