Hey, it's Marie Forleo and you are watching MarieTV, the place to be if you want to create
a business and life you love, and I assume you do because this is Q&A Tuesday, and this
Q&A Tuesday, I am tackling two Qs with one A. That's right, two for Tuesday. First
question, Sofia, and she writes:
"Hi Marie, I've watched every one of your videos and you've inspired me to follow
a passion I had long abandoned; illustration. You often talk about the importance of having
a mission and doing work that matters, but what if the thing you love to do doesn't
directly change the world or solve a problem? I can't say that illustration and telling
stories adds value to the world. Is there a way to contribute no matter what kind of
work you do?"
Now check this out. Carolina writes:
"Hi, Marie, I'm a documentary and environmental photographer but I'm having a hard time coming
from a place of service when I try to sell and market to my clients. My concern is my
business model is all about me. I'm stuck in a rut and have a really difficult time
seeing how my products will really help anyone besides me following my dreams. Please give
me a momma Maria reality check."
Sofia and Carolina, awesome questions. I can't tell you how many times I hear this especially
when it comes to artists. So here's the thing that I want you to know -- you make a difference.
It doesn't matter who you are or what you do for a living; all forms of expression are
valuable. There's no such thing as better value or more value.
Doctors aren't better than doll makers, journalists aren't better than jewelry designers
and astronauts are not better than artists. Entertainment, art, anything that provides
pure pleasure is 100% of value. Just imagine our world without paintings or art or books
or movies or comedies or plays or operas; we'd have no freaking culture and we'd
be bored out of our brains. Art connects us to our humanity and to each other. It compels
us to think and to feel and to love.
Think about how much nicer a home is when you've got great art on the walls, or think
about how great illustration or a photo helps bring a story to life, or think about times
when you've needed a good laugh, or you've been moved by a great piece of art or by a
beautiful song. What if those things didn't exist? What if Picasso or Prince said "You
know what? This art doesn't really provide value. I should be a homeopathic health coach
inside"?
When you're learning about business, especially online business, you see so many examples
of marketing solutions that it's easy to dismiss the value of art that's not problem
solution oriented, but just because you don't market something that clears up acne or makes
a dog stop humping legs, doesn't mean you market something any less important. And if
you still question what value art has, here's a tweetable from Mr. Picasso himself:
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."
There you go. Art does solve a problem. It cleans off the dust. Art's like swiffer
for your soul. Before we wrap up, there's one more thing. Making money doing something
you love, if you're not hurting anyone or cheating anyone, is by definition a service
to the world. You're helping the economy and you're adding to the financial flow, plus
get this: you're also making a difference to people around you because when you do what
you love and you're passionate and you're happy, that is added value.
Ok -- Sofia and Karolina, that was my A to your double Q. Thank you so much asking it.
Now I want to hear from you. Do you ever doubt the value of what you do? If so, I want to
challenge you to tell me at least three specific ways that your work makes a positive impact
on others. Don't forget to tell me about it in the comments below.
As always, the best discussions happen after the episode over at MarieForleo.com, so go
there and leave a comment now. Did you like this video? If so, subscribe and share it
with your friends. If you want even more great resources to create a business and life that
you love, plus some personal insights from me that I only talk about in e-mail, get your
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Stay on your game and keep going for your dreams because the world needs that special
gift that only you have. Thank you so much for watching and I'll catch you next time
on MarieTV.