Artist, Author, Speaker, Life Lover is it possible to be successful at all four?
Jason has not only mastered his “freak” he compliments it by using his talents as an artist, author, professional speaker and a life lover to create a business and lifestyle that is fun and fulfilling.
“I created and produced a comic strip about childhood called "Kim & Jason" for seven years.” He and his wife, Kim (a former kindergarten teacher), have made it their mission in life to fight “Adultitis” and help people use strategies from childhood to design lives with less stress and more fun.
Both claim to be stubborn and on occasion have been accused of being selfish. “Our shared stubbornness has been vital to our persistence. We worked on our business for five years before it could support us, and even then it was shaky for a few years after that.” While making sacrifices and forgoing the normal comforts of existence,” there were times when we questioned our sanity…”, stubbornness and persistence prevailed and allowed them to build their chosen lifestyle.
Jason and Kim share the art of selfishness, “Our "selfishness" has been a big part of creating that lifestyle. We speak and write on the topic of life balance. They key to a healthy, happy, well-balanced life is saying “no” to lots and lots of things; including good things. The people who haven't figured that out are harried from maintaining hectic schedules and burned out from the busy-ness that comes from saying "yes" too often. Of course, the people and organizations you say no to might label you selfish, but you have to be ok with that, because no one will say no for you.
We both tend to be pretty silly and playful, which I imagine strikes some people as immature. But I see us as permission granters. Most people are yearning for a little silliness in their lives, but have abandoned their childlike ways by the time they get out in the "real world." When people see our example, it gives them permission to let their hair down and add a little bit more fun and adventure into their own lives.”
Jason and Kim have learned after seven years that the creation books, blog posts and business models requires a deployment of their freakish qualities of Stubbornness, Silliness, Selfishness and Persistence is both challenging and freeing as well.
“When I was younger I was criticized for being too much of a daydreamer. But I have come to see what a strength that really is. The ideas and innovations I've come up with are the primary engine that has driven our business to where it is today. Of course, not every idea works -- most don't -- but visioning and innovation take time. Sometimes the time spent yields very little result and you can feel like you're wasting your time. Kim has been a big champion of me taking time to "daydream," because she knows the good that can come from it.
Although I am much more organized than most stereotypical artists -- bordering on anal at times -- I am much better at dealing with big picture things than the details . . . and I hate doing repetitive tasks. And the phone -- I hate the phone! Fortunately, Kim ......As always, there are two sides to every story so look for next week’s blog and read on to learn about Kim….the other side of this Freakish Dynamic Duo.
You can learn more about Kim and Jason and their comic strip and their pledge to fight adulthood at: http://www.kimandjason.com
Thanks for the nice write up, David. It was an honor and a pleasure! Keep sharing your inner freak with the world, good sir!
Posted by: Jason of Kim & Jason | November 16, 2011 at 05:39 PM