I’ve been in creative services for most of my life.  The last 10 years have been through my company, TAG Art (www.tagartcompany.com) While it may sound cliche, I’m very sensitive to the quality of service we provide for every event – and when it comes to private parties, I’m borderline O.C.D.

Children are like sponges – they absorb everything from their environment.  From the things they see and hear, to the people they interact with.  When you consider the limited context they can put experiences in, it can make you paranoid to realize who may be teaching your children by their example.

So apply this to a private event you may be having.  Perhaps you’re interested in hiring entertainment for your child’s birthday party.  You may have an idea of what you’d like, but who do you trust?  Ultimately referrals are only as trustworthy as the person making them, and even then your experience will vary because you have your own preferences.  

I have heard many party horror stories about bad service in a number of ways.  They make me cringe as a provider and a parent.  I can only pray that what I represent stands apart.  But the stories have also provided me with a checklist for finding quality when I need the best for my budget:

Firstly, it’s nice to go with a name you know and trust.  Loyalty breeds loyalty.   As an entrepreneur, I like to encourage like minds and sometimes am tempted to give someone else a chance.  But, the right resource will always see repeat business as an honor and do their best to live up to it accordingly.

Next, I will not be caught in a bidding war.  While a quality entertainer will like to be sensitive to your budget, “no one barters for a burger” – sometimes quality just costs what it costs.  I would be suspicious of under-cutters.  They’re usually desperate for money and only see you as dollar signs and not a person trusting them with their children. 

I will also not insult quality talent by expecting a ridiculous deal.  Devaluing is all ready a problem in our society (has your job been out-sourced?) without it being applied to talent.

A degree of humility is important in those with talent.  Whether they credit it as a gift from God, a product of hard-earned experience, or both, they will always be grateful for your interest – even if it’s just a compliment.  As an artist, I can tell you the perfectionist nature is always there.  I’ve drawn more than 250,000 caricatures alone and still worry about quality. 

Those I would hire love what they do!  They’re living a dream, have no problem with talking with me about their influences, showing samples of work, and giving options.  In any field of work, there are those who have limitless passion and energy and those who should have retired years ago. 

Lastly, quality associates with quality.  Because I work hard to be the best at what I do, I only align myself with like-minds.  It is an honor for me to refer business to people who I know will represent my faith and trust in them.  Ask providers you have hired who they would recommend.  They’ll understand why you want “something different” and even offer to arrange an introduction.  I belong to The Creative Network (www.thecreativenet.com) and each member likes to work and works hard.  We’re not an agency and we seek to help each other grow our businesses strong.

It has been said that “it’s lonely at the top.”  Regardless of your definition of success – in business, love, or life in general – it can be a relative certainty. 

People who “live the dream” or simply attain notoriety for their perspective are a rare breed.  They’re often leaders, singular in ability, or sharply focused on their achievements in life’s journey.  Tenacity is a common virtue.

On the other hand, when you’re to such a level of accomplishments, you can find yourself frustrated.  Either propriety prohibits fraternization or no one can relate to you.  Indeed, you find room for only one on your mountain top.

I offer this as someone who is “living the dream” and still is not satisfied to rest on his laurels.  At the risk of egotism, I consider myself to be a bit of a “mutant” and suggest that you too consider such a status. 

You are an endangered species and as such are to be admired, even viewed from a distance so as not to be disturbed. 

You are a symbol of greater things to achieve and a role model for those who may not know how to achieve them.   

You are approachable but rarely approached for fear that your followers may be found unworthy.

It’s an odd dichotomy.  But wear it as a badge of honor and be proud to serve in such a role.  It was bestowed upon you for both a reason and a purpose.

There are many theories about the meaning of life.   I do not purport to be worthy of a mountain top, but I had an epiphany I’d like to share – I found peace in it and hope you do too:

Life is like an amusement park.  Imagine you were given a free trip to (insert your choice here) with the condition that you have to experience EVERYTHING.   When I say “experience”, I don’t mean that great wisdom must be acquired, merely that you participate.

Consider the variety of experiences present in an amusement park.  Not only does the park have kiddy rides, roller coasters and fun houses, but there are also bathrooms, concession stands and maybe even varying weather to deal with.  

Essentially you’re stuck there until you give each attraction, vendor and facility the proper attention.  In the real world, some patrons choose to be at the front gate when the park opens and stay until they’re kicked out.  Others play “speed park” and wisk through everything, skipping things they’ve “been there/done that” before.

But in our scenario, you HAVE to go through all of it – that’s the price of admission.

With these conditions, it’s a certainty that you’ll hate some rides entirely and only part of others.  Some you may enjoy thoroughly – even going on them over and over, waiting in line if you have to for hours.

Now consider how this translates to life.  Not every day will be perfect.  Not every day will be a total nightmare.  Some regular demands on your time will be constant – you’ll have to sleep sometime, eat sometime, etc.  You may have cherished or life-changing experiences, or have a stretch of uneventful time. 

But you can’t “get out of the park” until you’ve done it all.

SO - examine your patterns and directions.  Are you “spending too much time in line?”  Perhaps “repeating the wrong ride?”  Have you even “gotten out of the bathroom yet?”

Hurry up!  There’s a great parade and fireworks show in 15 minutes! 

I have a renewed commitment to listen to my instincts.  I wouldn’t call it a resolution as much as a habit-under-development.  By now most resolutions are starting to fall to the wayside and the act of breaking them is almost as ritualistic as making them in the first place.

I think everyone has that “voice in their head” that has grown from experiences, role models and environment.  Some call it the 6th sense, others call it a conscience.  Reporters call it their “nose” and detectives call it a “hunch.”  Manly men call it their “gut” and womanly women call it “intuition.” More often than not it’s pretty good advice and worth at least listening to, but how many of us ignore the red flags anyway?

A classic example of such folly is a horror movie.  The quintessential hiker lost in the woods finds a creepy house and, despite the music playing, goes inside and takes a shower (WHY?  Can’t they hear the music?) 

I don’t remember a lot of help developing my instincts.  They didn’t even have a class in college for it.   But many agree the first response is the correct one.  I would even challenge you to keep track of decisions based on listening or ignoring them – and see what the success rate of each direction is.

Consider instincts to be the voice of experience.  The older one gets, the more they experience.  Patterns become obvious.   Pop culture is notorious for this.  Pick your favorite fad or movie and go back 10 years to see what was popular then.  You will be shocked at the similarity.

I look forward to your response and comments are welcome.  Although I have a “feeling” you’ll be more focused on your own development and too busy to post.

I’ve never met someone who doesn’t understand the game Limbo.  “How low can you go?” is the mantra.  It’s sometimes used as a metaphor for discipline – tighten the belt, stay strong, hold on tight, keep the faith and other similar transfers.  But I wish to challenge you in a different direction.  Instead of restricting or removing, why not think in terms of limitless possibility? 

Dreaming is a natural part of life.  If you don’t dream when you sleep, you’re dead (literally!) so why not stay “extra healthy” and do it when you’re awake?  Dreamers are good to have around too.  Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious and makes for a positive environment.  In the big picture, there are no real limitations to making certain dreams a reality.  The only “elephant in the room” is the almighty dollar.

In a retail job I held in a former life, I was often told “sales fixes everything” and for most of us, money is the only obstacle to our goals being realized.  It can be formidable and undeniable to be sure, but chance also favors the prepared.  If an attitude of “why not” is adopted, then a plan of action follows.  When the last peg falls into place, it will be met with great momentum. 

I caution you not to be impatient.  Our speed-obsessed, instant-gratification society may scoff at this sentiment, but good things take time.  In my experience, (with hindsight being 20/20) a good result takes the time it needs to take.   All too often I’ve seen that patience was prudence and even if my “final peg” came early, the lack of plan or execution of a plan would have made for disaster.  In the meantime, evolution, refinement and the cultivation of new ideas can occur.  

So take some regular time to raise your own bar and see what happens.  I think you’ll find a new measure of success – and that it suits you!