Robin Hoffman MA, Spiritual Psychology

Robin Hoffman Quick Facts

Main Areas: Publishing and Writing Coach, Book Editor
Best Sellers: Let Love In, by my client Debra Berndt and Waiting for Jack, by my client Kristen Moeller
Career Focus: Author, Speaker, Coach, Editor
Affiliation: Authors' Coaching Network, The Messenger Book Collective

 

Often, it is hard to know one's purpose in life. I have been on a quest to discover my purpose as long as I can remember. When I was 10, I vacillated between mystery novelist and veterinarian. At 12, I dreamed of being a poet, actress or singer. By the time I finished high school, I stopped dreaming and focused on graduating from college with a BA in Journalism. It seemed a practical solution to my never ending urge to write, and the impending need to earn a living.

I had a part-time job as a news aide for the Washington Post, and I loved it. I was totally inspired by the quality journalists I met. I had the privilege of chatting with and befriending some of the top journalists in the world. Columnist William Raspberry was memorable in his being so accessible and non-pretentious. He stopped by to visit with us news aides on many occasions while we flung mail into hundreds of staff writers’ slots. 

 

I was a regular reader of Ellen Goodman’s column. Although she worked at the Boston Globe, we ran her stuff all the time. I admired her as a woman and a writer. She shared her real experience along with her brilliant interpretations of the world around her with sensitivity and humor. Perhaps my purpose was to be a columnist like Ellen Goodman? 

 

After college, I got a great job with investigative reporter and author David Wise and helped him research, edit and promote three books. The next logical step seemed to become a newspaper reporter, so I got a position at a mid-sized paper in Central Florida and moved. 

 

I suppose, if you pay attention, there are little “clues” along the way of what your true life’s purpose may turn out to be. I was covering business and suggested to my editor that I do a story on women in non-traditional jobs. He nixed the idea with a comment I will never forget, “Women have been working construction in this state for more than 10 years! Ya’ll are equal now!” 

 

I remember thinking. “No. No, we’re not.” 

 

Suffice to say, I left journalism disillusioned, moved to Colorado, fell in love, and chose to support my new husband in creating HIS life’s purpose. For 10 years, I built and ran a personal fitness training business with him. We had two amazing, wonderful children and I took on being a mother gratefully and with much joy. 

 

But always, in the back of my mind was the question: what am I supposed to do with my life? Why am I here? 

 

In my relationship with my now ex-husband, I wore both the pants and the apron, so to speak. I led the business and the family. It was okay until one day I woke up to the fact that I felt thoroughly exhausted and empty. 

 

So, the search for my purpose began once more in earnest. I went to graduate school and got my Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology. During the program I had the realization that I had held many judgments against women and femininity. I saw that they did not come from my experience, so I started asking why. Where did my unconscious attitudes towards femininity originate? And what could I do to open to and embrace my own femininity? 

 

I created a series of affirmations, negating all the judgments I held, and then made artwork to “show” the affirmations. Out of this process came Heart, Paper, Scissors: An Arts and Crafts Activity for Self-Expression, Healing and Growth which I developed and marketed and eventually folded because my best customers were non-profits doing healing work with women and children. In other words, my key customers had no money. Ooops. 

 

So, Heart, Paper, Scissors was not my purpose. But it was close. 

In the past, every time I tried to establish my "brand identity" I felt almost instant frustration. For each area I picked seemed too small. Like when you buy a new pair of shoes, and you know they don't quite fit, they are just a bit tight, but you buy them anyway, and one block out of the store and you're screaming "Get these off of me!" 

Recently, I had a meeting with David Tyerman, who I would say is one of the premier branding specialists in the world. And he gave me a great insight. "Your brand isn't a product or service," David said. "It is a CAUSE." 

"You mean like self-expression?" I asked. 

His eyebrows went up and he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. 

"Yes, maybe something like that."   

As I try that on, it does feel nice and roomy. 

There is room for my editing and coaching work with authors. Space for my artwork, my songwriting and performing, even room for Heart, Paper, Scissors which looks like it may have new life. 

What I really want to do is share my authentic voice in any and every capacity I choose and to empower others to do the same.  

I want to crack the code on Creativity for Profit so that starving artist becomes an oxymoron.  

As an artist, I only feel "starving" when I withhold from myself the space to do my art, so I suppose, at those times, you could call me the Anorexic Artist. 

Abundant Artist sounds much better. It seems to me there has never been a better time for artists and those who want their voice heard to share AND be well paid for it. 

 

Perhaps my brand identity is a Creativity Advocate. Undaunted, Eloquent, Fun. Okay, I'll wear those shoes for a while and see where we walk next.  

As the Get Published Coach, I coach authors on how to successfully self-publish or place their books with a publisher. I also edit books. My job as editor is to fully bring forth the author's voice and the truest essence of the work.  

I invite you to join me on this journey of exploration and discovery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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