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35. <title>The Other Side of Fear: Regret for The Risks Not Taken</title>
36. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/the-other-side-of-fear-regret-for-the-risks-not-taken/</link>
37. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/the-other-side-of-fear-regret-for-the-risks-not-taken/#respond</comments>
39. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
40. <pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 2018 04:55:48 +0000</pubDate>
41. <category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
42. <category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category>
43. <category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
44. <category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
45. <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
46. <category><![CDATA[Death]]></category>
47. <category><![CDATA[failure]]></category>
48. <category><![CDATA[Fear]]></category>
49. <category><![CDATA[regret]]></category>
50. <category><![CDATA[Starting a business]]></category>
51. <category><![CDATA[Starting a Business in China]]></category>
52. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=378</guid>
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54. <description><![CDATA[Will I be able to lead a life of regret? The most powerful reason that helped me make a decision to start a business was related to one other type of fear. It was this question: ‘If I don’t take the risk now, will I be able to lead a life of regret?’ I tried&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/the-other-side-of-fear-regret-for-the-risks-not-taken/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">The Other Side of Fear: Regret for The Risks Not&#160;Taken</span></a>]]></description>
55. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Will I be able to lead a life of regret?</strong></p>
56. <p>The most powerful reason that helped me make a decision to start a business was related to one other type of fear. It was this question: ‘If I don’t take the risk now, will I be able to lead a life of regret?’ I tried to imagine myself in my 60ies, even in my 70ties. Would I be happy that I had led a meaningful and fulfilled life with purpose, or would I be one of the “living dead” who feels miserable about the fact that I had wasted a life of opportunity. Would I be able to lead a peaceful life when I become old, and not regret the fact that I didn’t take action when it was time to do so, when opportunity presented itself?</p>
57. <p><img data-attachment-id="380" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/the-other-side-of-fear-regret-for-the-risks-not-taken/fear-2/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fear.jpg" data-orig-size="480,480" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="fear" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fear.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fear.jpg?w=480" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-380" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fear.jpg?w=1086" alt="fear"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fear.jpg 480w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fear.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fear.jpg?w=300&amp;h=300 300w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /></p>
58. <p><strong>When I get old, will I still be able to make up for lost dreams?</strong></p>
59. <p>The fear of failure has killed many dreams and prevented people from taking action. In reality, if you start a business and fail, you will almost always have the opportunity to go back to the 9-5 job and restart life. However, the opposite is not always likely. When you are older, you probably won’t have that same youthful energy and passion to pursue your dreams. Most in their old age seek to strike a balance by leading a peaceful life. The last thing one might want to be doing at that age is to add further complications to their life by starting a business.</p>
60. <p><strong>What if Death catches me unprepared?</strong></p>
61. <p>If one decides to avoid risk at all cost, regret will set in. Regret will become a shadow that follows them throughout their life. As the end of life approaches people often become increasingly afraid of it, not realizing that death isn’t to be feared. On the contrary, death is just like all the other normal parts of life, ex: birth, going to school, going to work, getting married. Yet still many people are terrified of dying. Those who only aim at maintaining stability, seldom take risks to do anything meaningful with their lives, yet strive to prolong their lives or “live forever”, are those who fear death the most. In many ways this fear of death is actually a fear of coming to terms with oneself and the many things that have been left unfinished, unachieved, or were passed by.</p>
62. <p>We never know when life is going to end, and there are no second chances. Instead we’d better take action and do something meaningful with our lives.</p>
63. <p><strong>What can possibly feel more painful than death itself?</strong></p>
64. <p>We created our mascot Mort as a <em>momento mori</em>, a friendly warning to make the most of life while it lasts. Mort was intentionally designed to be cute in order to redirect people’s fear of death to and encourage them to live life to the fullest. Mort, a grim reaper, is here to teach us a lesson that it’s not death that we should fear, but fear not living and enjoying our lives to the fullest. He’s meant to teach us that we shouldn’t fear him, he is little more than a public servant and like all other people who have jobs, he too needs to perform his duty. In a world that is changing rapidly, the greatest risk isn’t the one you might be reluctant to take, it’s never acting on a necessary, measured risk that would make you something greater than you are.  Having to look back on all the opportunities you never took is far more painful. Regret is what hurts more than death itself.</p>
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66. <p><strong>Learning to thrive on challenge</strong></p>
67. <p>Exploring my insecurities prior to starting a business was a very uncomfortable process. I felt overwhelmed by how much I didn’t know. I felt I didn’t have the necessary experience to start a business. The fact that we wanted to start a business in China, a culture completely different from what we are used to in the West, didn’t make things any easier for us. Yet I decided not to hesitate and took the first step by making the decision to start.  That really was the scariest part of all, making that great leap into the unknown. Four years down the road, I don’t feel any regret. Though the possibility of failure is not completely out of the way, we’re not worried. What we’ve learned in these four years would probably have taken 50 to learn had I continued to work in a company. We faced and overcame many challenges, but they only made us more confident and persistent. I am very excited to share this experience and our stories with you through this blog.</p>
68. <p><img data-attachment-id="280" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2017/12/28/an-expat-couple-on-a-business-adventure-in-the-middle-kingdom/us-with-mort-2/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg" data-orig-size="3508,2480" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Us with mort" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg?w=1024" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-280" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg?w=1086" alt="Us with mort"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg 3508w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=106 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=212 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg?w=768&amp;h=543 768w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/us-with-mort1.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=724 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 3508px) 100vw, 3508px" /></p>
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98. <title>Cartoon Character Design: Creating a Character with Appeal</title>
99. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/cartoon-character-design-creating-a-character-with-appeal/</link>
100. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/cartoon-character-design-creating-a-character-with-appeal/#comments</comments>
102. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
103. <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2018 02:12:55 +0000</pubDate>
104. <category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
105. <category><![CDATA[Cartoons]]></category>
106. <category><![CDATA[Comics]]></category>
107. <category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
108. <category><![CDATA[Manga]]></category>
109. <category><![CDATA[artists]]></category>
110. <category><![CDATA[cartoon characters]]></category>
111. <category><![CDATA[character design]]></category>
112. <category><![CDATA[Cute]]></category>
113. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=375</guid>
114.  
115. <description><![CDATA[Today, I’d like to talk a little bit about character design.  Specifically, I would like to address the question of how to take a traditionally intimidating character and making them into an appealing protagonist.  We’re going to talk about the decisions that led to taking this: To this: &#160; Before we go doing a point&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/cartoon-character-design-creating-a-character-with-appeal/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Cartoon Character Design: Creating a Character with&#160;Appeal</span></a>]]></description>
116. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today, I’d like to talk a little bit about character design.  Specifically, I would like to address the question of how to take a traditionally intimidating character and making them into an appealing protagonist.  We’re going to talk about the decisions that led to taking this:<img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="179" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=179" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg" data-orig-size="597,756" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1497025640&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="blog pics 1 copy 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg?w=237" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg?w=597" class="  wp-image-179 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg?w=231&#038;h=292" alt="blog pics 1 copy 2" width="231" height="292" srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg?w=231&amp;h=292 231w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg?w=462&amp;h=584 462w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg?w=118&amp;h=150 118w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg?w=237&amp;h=300 237w" sizes="(max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px" /></p>
117. <p>To <b>this</b>:</p>
118. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="180" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=180" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-3-e1514454933438.jpg" data-orig-size="1210,887" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Mort ice cream" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-3-e1514454933438.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-3-e1514454933438.jpg?w=1024" class="  wp-image-180 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-3-e1514454933438.jpg?w=431&#038;h=310" alt="Mort ice cream" width="431" height="310" /></p>
119. <p>&nbsp;</p>
120. <p>Before we go doing a point by point design on each of these characters, it would behove me to go a little bit into the language of character design.  Cartoon characters are the actors of cartoons.  Where actors have charisma, cartoon characters have ‘appeal’.  Unlike actors who have to work for and practice their charisma, cartoon characters have to be designed with their appeal.</p>
121. <p>The first thing a cartoonist takes into account with designing a character is the intended personality for the character.  Every kind of personality elicits a different series of shapes.  I like to think in terms of the following diagram:</p>
122. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="181" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=181" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg" data-orig-size="2237,1050" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1497025640&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="blog pics 1 copy 4" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg?w=1024" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-181" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg?w=1086" alt="blog pics 1 copy 4"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg 2237w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg?w=150&amp;h=70 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg?w=300&amp;h=141 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg?w=768&amp;h=360 768w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=481 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 2237px) 100vw, 2237px" /></p>
123. <p>When designing Mort, the goal was to take an often sinister and imposingly drawn figure and remove any vestiges of threat from him. Mort is meant to be a reliable and affable workaholic; he’s a nice guy with a dirty job that tries to make the best of things and keep a positive attitude.  That means we needed a character that had little to no triangular shapes in the design.  Points should be rounded with few exceptions.  He also needed to be cute, not just for any demographic either; he needs to appeal to a Chinese audience.  To accomplish this, we employed a classic design trick that is frequently used in both western and Japanese design.</p>
124. <p>The key to cute is all in the shape of the head.  Friz Freleng used this trick when he created Porky Pig, and Bob Clampett would go to use the same trick later on when he used Tweety Bird.</p>
125. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="182" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=182" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-5.jpg" data-orig-size="808,842" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1497025640&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="blog pics 1 copy 5" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-5.jpg?w=288" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-5.jpg?w=808" class="alignnone  wp-image-182" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-5.jpg?w=263&#038;h=286" alt="blog pics 1 copy 5" width="263" height="286" /> <img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="183" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=183" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy.jpg" data-orig-size="789,1003" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1497025640&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="blog pics 1 copy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy.jpg?w=236" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy.jpg?w=789" class="alignnone  wp-image-183" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy.jpg?w=228&#038;h=308" alt="blog pics 1 copy" width="228" height="308" /></p>
126. <p>Do you see it?  If not, take a look at this Japanese answer to the same design trick.</p>
127. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="184" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=184" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy-2.jpg" data-orig-size="1318,1379" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1497025699&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="blog pics 2 copy 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy-2.jpg?w=287" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy-2.jpg?w=979" class="  wp-image-184 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy-2.jpg?w=266&#038;h=262" alt="blog pics 2 copy 2" width="266" height="262" /></p>
128. <p>In Japanese, this large headed, short bodied character style is referred to as ‘Chibi’.  It incorporates the use of a big head and a big eyes, but more importantly, just like the previous western designs it uses a similar head shape.  Cartoonists have known for a long time that in order to affect a ‘cute’ character they need to place a larger circle on top of a smaller circle.</p>
129. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="185" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=185" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy.jpg" data-orig-size="1291,1197" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1497025699&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="blog pics 2 copy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy.jpg?w=1024" class="  wp-image-185 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy.jpg?w=275&#038;h=263" alt="blog pics 2 copy" width="275" height="263" /></p>
130. <p><strong>                                                Behold, the essence of CUTE</strong></p>
131. <p>&nbsp;</p>
132. <p>In order to exact this particular head shape on a skeleton, it made more sense to simply remove the lower jaw.  After that, it was a simple manner of giving him a short, stumpy body much like a Japanese Chibi character, giving him massive eyes, and then rounding out almost all of his potential points.  As you can see from the character design, Mort only retains two pointing elements in his design:  one on the top of his hood, the other on the bottom of his robe.  We even went as far as simplifying his hands into little ball shapes in order to reduce the number of angles in the character.</p>
133. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="27" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/trademark1/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg" data-orig-size="1822,1977" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Mort in China" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg?w=276" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg?w=944" class="  wp-image-27 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg?w=321&#038;h=348" alt="Mort in China" width="321" height="348" srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg?w=321&amp;h=348 321w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg?w=642&amp;h=696 642w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg?w=138&amp;h=150 138w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg?w=276&amp;h=300 276w" sizes="(max-width: 321px) 100vw, 321px" /></p>
134. <p>By reducing the angles, using a basic ‘Chibi’ design, and making the eyes extremely large we have created a character that so far has solid appeal for his target audience.  He is approachable, non-threatening, and not scary in the slightest.  So far Mort’s reception has been everything we hoped to be.</p>
135. <p>I hope this has been useful in helping you to understand a lot of the decisions that go into cartoon character design.  If you have any questions please let us know in the comments, or if you would like to see more blogs like this in the future regarding other characters in the books, feel free to comment.</p>
136. <p>I would also like to know  who is your favourite cartoon character?</p>
137. ]]></content:encoded>
139. <wfw:commentRss>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/cartoon-character-design-creating-a-character-with-appeal/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
140. <slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
144. <media:thumbnail url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/mort-hi4.jpg" />
145. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/mort-hi4.jpg" medium="image">
146. <media:title type="html">Mort Hi4</media:title>
147. </media:content>
148.  
149. <media:content url="https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/a446214bf3c17fa80679ae10e8dbef3b0c9bb07082bbb21920677811c450c267?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
150. <media:title type="html">mortinchinacomic</media:title>
151. </media:content>
152.  
153. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-2.jpg" medium="image">
154. <media:title type="html">blog pics 1 copy 2</media:title>
155. </media:content>
156.  
157. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-3-e1514454933438.jpg" medium="image">
158. <media:title type="html">Mort ice cream</media:title>
159. </media:content>
160.  
161. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-4.jpg" medium="image">
162. <media:title type="html">blog pics 1 copy 4</media:title>
163. </media:content>
164.  
165. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-1-copy-5.jpg" medium="image">
166. <media:title type="html">blog pics 1 copy 5</media:title>
167. </media:content>
168.  
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170. <media:title type="html">blog pics 1 copy</media:title>
171. </media:content>
172.  
173. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy-2.jpg" medium="image">
174. <media:title type="html">blog pics 2 copy 2</media:title>
175. </media:content>
176.  
177. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/blog-pics-2-copy.jpg" medium="image">
178. <media:title type="html">blog pics 2 copy</media:title>
179. </media:content>
180.  
181. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/trademark1.jpg" medium="image">
182. <media:title type="html">Mort in China</media:title>
183. </media:content>
184. </item>
185. <item>
186. <title> Saying NO to Your Excuses</title>
187. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/</link>
188. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/#comments</comments>
190. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
191. <pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2018 01:52:43 +0000</pubDate>
192. <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
193. <category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
194. <category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category>
195. <category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
196. <category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
197. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
198. <category><![CDATA[doing-business-in-china]]></category>
199. <category><![CDATA[Excuses]]></category>
200. <category><![CDATA[Expats in China]]></category>
201. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=356</guid>
202.  
203. <description><![CDATA[I remember that when I was starting my career I had a plan:  I wanted to start my own business one day. But I told myself that I needed to work for a large corporation for at least 5 years to get the necessary work experience. I also told myself that I needed to work&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text"> Saying NO to Your&#160;Excuses</span></a>]]></description>
204. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I remember that when I was starting my career I had a plan:  I wanted to start my own business one day. But I told myself that I needed to work for a large corporation for at least 5 years to get the necessary work experience. I also told myself that I needed to work my way into a high-level management position, that way I could take advantage of the corporate training that comes with being an executive.  Since I was going to start a business in China, I kept telling myself that I needed a Chinese partner, then I would need to establish some “guanxi” (connections), and even join investor circles because everyone knows you can’t even dare to think about starting a business if you don’t have investment, and so on.</p>
205. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="358" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/1979613_10152079263443460_248492294_n/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/1979613_10152079263443460_248492294_n.jpg" data-orig-size="480,720" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="1979613_10152079263443460_248492294_n" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/1979613_10152079263443460_248492294_n.jpg?w=200" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/1979613_10152079263443460_248492294_n.jpg?w=480" class="  wp-image-358 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/1979613_10152079263443460_248492294_n.jpg?w=370&#038;h=533" alt="1979613_10152079263443460_248492294_n" width="370" height="533" /></p>
206. <p>After one year, I finally managed to get a position with a foreign corporation. I was so excited. I was on my way. I walked into a huge office that took up 3 entire floors of a large office building; everything was orderly, they had big meeting rooms with comfortable chairs for executives to sit in, people busy on the phones, and the bustling sounds of paper shuffling and computers typing away.  I looked around and thought confidently that it wouldn’t be too long before I got into my management position. My boss took me on business trips around China, she allowed me to attend training at the Headquarters in Shanghai, and I even got to sit in on various meetings and business meals with executives.</p>
207. <p>Something important was missing though.  I wasn’t being given any serious responsibility, and I wasn’t involved in any decision making. I realized that I was just a spectator, watching others play the game. It seemed to me when you join a company, they first put you on the bench so you can watch other people play the game. You are stuck in that position; you repeat one thing for 2-3 years, only to get promoted to do another thing for 3 years. At the rate I was learning things at my job it would be not 5 but 50 years before I learned everything I needed to start my own business.</p>
208. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="362" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/time/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/time.jpg" data-orig-size="725,690" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="time" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/time.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/time.jpg?w=725" class="  wp-image-362 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/time.jpg?w=413&#038;h=412" alt="time" width="413" height="412" /></p>
209. <p>By the time one feels you have learned enough, you’re old and exhausted. I realized that by that time, I might not have the energy to do all the running around that it takes to start a company. My dream felt further and further away…</p>
210. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="367" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/crossroads-converti/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg" data-orig-size="3394,2509" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="crossroads [Converti]" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=1024" class="  wp-image-367 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=512&#038;h=378" alt="crossroads [Converti]" width="512" height="378" srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=512&amp;h=378 512w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=756 1024w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=150&amp;h=111 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=300&amp;h=222 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg?w=768&amp;h=568 768w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></p>
211. <p>There I was, standing at a crossroads, very confused about my future, and on the wrong side of my twenties. I wanted to start my own company, but I still felt I didn’t have all the knowledge and experience I needed to start.</p>
212.  
213. <a href='https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/confused/'><img width="150" height="143" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/confused.jpg?w=150&#038;h=143" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/confused.jpg?w=150 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/confused.jpg?w=300 300w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" data-attachment-id="359" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/confused/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/confused.jpg" data-orig-size="725,690" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="confused" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/confused.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/confused.jpg?w=725" /></a>
214. <a href='https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/contemplate/'><img width="122" height="150" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/contemplate.jpg?w=122&#038;h=150" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/contemplate.jpg?w=122 122w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/contemplate.jpg?w=244 244w" sizes="(max-width: 122px) 100vw, 122px" data-attachment-id="361" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/contemplate/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/contemplate.jpg" data-orig-size="1042,1278" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Contemplate" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/contemplate.jpg?w=245" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/contemplate.jpg?w=835" /></a>
215.  
216. <p>Even after a year, I began to feel that my time was dwindling, I recognized my excuses for what they were, threw caution to the wind, and decided to start my own business. I decided to be an entrepreneur. It was less certain, offered even less stability, but I knew that during this period of time I would learn a lot, be it from success or failure.</p>
217. <p>In the 2 years since my fiancé and I started our own business I feel I’ve learned more than some people would have in 20 years working at their corporate jobs. The decision to take that leap into the unknown was the hardest part of this process.  Over the past two years we’ve created a cartoon brand called ALBA, and most importantly we’ve grown, learned and developed ourselves in the people we wanted to be throughout this process.</p>
218. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="364" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg" data-orig-size="3543,1063" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="business card full effect no BG lossy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg?w=1024" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-364" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg?w=1086" alt="business card full effect no BG lossy"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg 3543w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg?w=150&amp;h=45 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg?w=300&amp;h=90 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg?w=768&amp;h=230 768w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/business-card-full-effect-no-bg-lossy.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=307 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 3543px) 100vw, 3543px" /></p>
219. <p><strong><em>A little bit about what we’ve created: </em></strong></p>
220. <p>ALBA is an acronym for “Life isn’t fun without A Little Bit Apparel”.  The pun is very intended, and any Monthy-Python fan would get it.  Life really isn’t fun without taking on a little “peril”. No one that ever achieved greatness has ever done so without taking the risk need to be great.  Many people never reach their potential for happiness and greatness because they’re too afraid to make the leap of faith to do what they love.</p>
221. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="365" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/saying-no-to-your-excuses/logo-shirt-1-copy/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/logo-shirt-1-copy.jpg" data-orig-size="2480,3508" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="logo shirt 1 &#8211; Copy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/logo-shirt-1-copy.jpg?w=212" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/logo-shirt-1-copy.jpg?w=724" class="  wp-image-365 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/logo-shirt-1-copy.jpg?w=257&#038;h=312" alt="logo shirt 1 - Copy" width="257" height="312" /></p>
222. <p>ALBA was created with one purpose in mind, and that is to stress the importance of doing what one likes doing and making an effort to enjoy life. Therefore, our mission is through our comics and cartoons to encourage people to dream their own dreams, and then take the necessary risk to achieve them. We strive to raise awareness of the need to cultivate a risk taking mentality “seize the day” while you are young, be yourself, dare to dream the impossible and put your youth, passion, and energy toward achieving your dreams, as opposed to the traditional mentality of conforming to tradition and avoiding risk, seeking stability, pleasing others and never being yourself.</p>
223. ]]></content:encoded>
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236. <media:title type="html">mortinchinacomic</media:title>
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247. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/crossroads-converti.jpg" medium="image">
248. <media:title type="html">crossroads [Converti]</media:title>
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256. <media:title type="html">business card full effect no BG lossy</media:title>
257. </media:content>
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259. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/logo-shirt-1-copy.jpg" medium="image">
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262. </item>
263. <item>
264. <title>Do You Fear the Unknown? The Fears that Stop You from Starting a Business.</title>
265. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/do-you-fear-the-unknown-the-fears-that-stop-you-from-starting-a-business/</link>
266. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/do-you-fear-the-unknown-the-fears-that-stop-you-from-starting-a-business/#comments</comments>
268. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
269. <pubDate>Tue, 27 Feb 2018 02:53:51 +0000</pubDate>
270. <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
271. <category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category>
272. <category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
273. <category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
274. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
275. <category><![CDATA[Fear]]></category>
276. <category><![CDATA[fear of the unknown]]></category>
277. <category><![CDATA[Starting a business]]></category>
278. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=346</guid>
279.  
280. <description><![CDATA[It is very natural to feel afraid about starting a business. An average person might have a stable job, great pay, vacations, and a social life. When you become an entrepreneur things change:  you realize that you have to work long hours, you have less time for family and friends, the future looks uncertain, and&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/do-you-fear-the-unknown-the-fears-that-stop-you-from-starting-a-business/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Do You Fear the Unknown? The Fears that Stop You from Starting a&#160;Business.</span></a>]]></description>
281. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="text-align:justify;">It is very natural to feel afraid about starting a business.</span></p>
282. <p style="text-align:justify;">An average person might have a stable job, great pay, vacations, and a social life. When you become an entrepreneur things change:  you realize that you have to work long hours, you have less time for family and friends, the future looks uncertain, and it might be years before you get paid for the work you put into your business. There are many kinds of fears associated with entrepreneurship: <em>fear of failure, fear of being wrong, fear of loosing face, fear of running out of money, fear of not being good enough, fear of the unknown, risk, change, discomfort, etc.</em></p>
283. <p><a href="http://www.newmarkstudios.com/blog/fear-of-the-unknown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="348" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/do-you-fear-the-unknown-the-fears-that-stop-you-from-starting-a-business/fear-of-the-unknown/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg" data-orig-size="850,478" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="fear of the unknown" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg?w=850" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-348" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg?w=1086" alt="fear of the unknown"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg 850w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg?w=150&amp;h=84 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fear-of-the-unknown.jpg?w=768&amp;h=432 768w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></a></p>
284. <p style="text-align:justify;">When we do our jobs well, it often owes to the fact that we are experienced in that particular area of work, have had a great boss/mentor, or a sound strategy to follow. Starting a business is unlike any job you’ve had. It starts as just an idea in the mind, no one can tell you if you’re right or wrong, the strategy constantly changes, and at the very beginning it’s often only the founders who believe that the idea will fly. Many first time entrepreneurs take a risk without having a clear idea of how to make their idea succeed.  The prospect of this is terrifying to many.</p>
285. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="349" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/do-you-fear-the-unknown-the-fears-that-stop-you-from-starting-a-business/screen/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg" data-orig-size="800,558" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="screen" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg?w=800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-349" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg?w=1086" alt="screen"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg 800w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg?w=150&amp;h=105 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg?w=300&amp;h=209 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/screen.jpg?w=768&amp;h=536 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
286. <p style="text-align:justify;">Some fears are real, but most are imaginary. They are just limiting believes that we impose on ourselves that stop us from doing the things we are actually capable of doing. When faced with the fear of unknown and what lies on the other side of it, people try to overcome the fear by over-analysing the situation. People often begin to rationalise with themselves and come up with excuses about how they are not the right person for the job, or that they need to wait for the perfect moment, etc. This can only lead to procrastination or a failure to launch. Have you ever told yourself that you’re not good <em>enough? </em>My skills are not good <em>enough.</em> I don’t have <em>enough</em> knowledge. I don’t have <em>enough</em> experience. I don’t have <em>enough</em> money. I am not creative <em>enough. </em>I am not smart <em>enough.</em></p>
287. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em> </em>How often do we do this to ourselves?  How often do we overcomplicate simple life goals with millions of excuses, because we are afraid to take action?!</p>
288. <p>                                                      <img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="350" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/do-you-fear-the-unknown-the-fears-that-stop-you-from-starting-a-business/website-fear_1/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg" data-orig-size="481,291" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="website-fear_1" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Image: courtesy of https://www.warehouseonthecanal.com&lt;/p&gt;
289. " data-image-caption="<p>Image: courtesy of https://www.warehouseonthecanal.com</p>
290. " data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg?w=481" class=" size-full wp-image-350 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg?w=1086" alt="website-fear_1"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg 481w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=91 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=181 300w" sizes="(max-width: 481px) 100vw, 481px" /></p>
291. <p><em> Image Courtesy of: <a href="https://www.warehouseonthecanal.com">wearehouseonthecanal</a></em></p>
292. <p style="text-align:justify;">I would like to know if you have ever given yourself any excuses that stopped you from doing something you love.</p>
293. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em> </em><em>In the meantime, stay tuned for the next part, where I will be sharing the story of how I struggled when my brain kept producing millions of excuses while I was faced with the critical challenge of making a life decision.</em></p>
294. ]]></content:encoded>
296. <wfw:commentRss>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/do-you-fear-the-unknown-the-fears-that-stop-you-from-starting-a-business/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
297. <slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
301. <media:thumbnail url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/website-fear_1.jpg" />
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303. <media:title type="html">website-fear_1</media:title>
304. </media:content>
305.  
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307. <media:title type="html">mortinchinacomic</media:title>
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311. <media:title type="html">fear of the unknown</media:title>
312. </media:content>
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317. </item>
318. <item>
319. <title>Mass Migration, Forced Recession, &#038; Racing Animals: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese New Year</title>
320. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/</link>
321. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/#comments</comments>
323. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
324. <pubDate>Fri, 16 Feb 2018 04:13:58 +0000</pubDate>
325. <category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
326. <category><![CDATA[chinese culture]]></category>
327. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
328. <category><![CDATA[Chinese New Year 2018]]></category>
329. <category><![CDATA[chinese zodiac]]></category>
330. <category><![CDATA[Expats in China]]></category>
331. <category><![CDATA[Life]]></category>
332. <category><![CDATA[Spring Festival]]></category>
333. <category><![CDATA[Year of the Dog 2018]]></category>
334. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=329</guid>
335.  
336. <description><![CDATA[Hi everyone! This week is a special time in China as we are preparing to celebrate Chinese New Year. When it comes to this time of the year there are some things worth mentioning as they typically happen only in China: “The Great Migration” Imagine what happens when companies, factories, shops, restaurants, and stock markets&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Mass Migration, Forced Recession, &#38; Racing Animals: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese New&#160;Year</span></a>]]></description>
337. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align:justify;">Hi everyone! This week is a special time in China as we are preparing to celebrate Chinese New Year. When it comes to this time of the year there are some things worth mentioning as they typically happen only in China:</p>
338. <p>“<strong>The Great Migration”</strong></p>
339. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="333" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/trains/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,599" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="trains" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg?w=1024" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-333" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg?w=1086" alt="trains"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg 1024w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg?w=150&amp;h=88 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg?w=300&amp;h=175 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/trains.jpg?w=768&amp;h=449 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
340. <p style="text-align:justify;">Imagine what happens when companies, factories, shops, restaurants, and stock markets all close from anywhere two weeks to a month at a time. While that is happening, about 2.98 billion trips are expected to be made all over China to reunite people with family.  Even those used to it will agree that the experience can be harrowing.</p>
341. <p> <strong>“The Battle of Beijing”</strong></p>
342. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="334" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/fireworks/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg" data-orig-size="800,450" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="fireworks" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg?w=800" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-334" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg?w=1086" alt="fireworks"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg 800w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg?w=150&amp;h=84 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/fireworks.jpg?w=768&amp;h=432 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
343. <p style="text-align:justify;">This is the time when all your neighbors go out and set off fireworks all night, every night…for 15 days. It feels like being in a war-zone. The reason behind this is to drive away a monster called “Nian” so we can all have a happy and prosperous new year. This year Beijing announced that fireworks would be banned (within the 5<sup>th</sup> ring road) but whether or not they enforce that remains to be seen. We expect that our poor cat will probably be hiding in the washing machine again this year.</p>
344.  
345. <a href='https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/img_1133/'><img width="112" height="150" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1133.jpg?w=112&#038;h=150" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1133.jpg?w=112 112w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1133.jpg?w=224 224w" sizes="(max-width: 112px) 100vw, 112px" data-attachment-id="342" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/img_1133/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1133.jpg" data-orig-size="1936,2592" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1368430513&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;latitude&quot;:&quot;39.9415&quot;,&quot;longitude&quot;:&quot;116.41966666667&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_1133" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1133.jpg?w=224" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1133.jpg?w=765" /></a>
346. <a href='https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/img_1983-copy/'><img width="112" height="150" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1983-copy.jpg?w=112&#038;h=150" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1983-copy.jpg?w=112 112w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1983-copy.jpg?w=224 224w" sizes="(max-width: 112px) 100vw, 112px" data-attachment-id="343" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/img_1983-copy/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1983-copy.jpg" data-orig-size="1936,2592" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1391183105&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_1983 &#8211; Copy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1983-copy.jpg?w=224" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1983-copy.jpg?w=765" /></a>
347.  
348. <p><strong>“Family Time” </strong></p>
349. <p style="text-align:justify;">Spring Festival in China is kind of like Christmas in the West.  This is a time for family reunion, visiting relatives, eating dumplings and other favorite dishes, giving out “hongbaos” to the younger family members, posting spring couplets outside your door, and watching the most famous New Year Show on CCTV, the “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvOmA1cRvwU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Year Gala</a>” program (&#8220;春晚 Chun Wan” ).</p>
350. <p>See how Mort spent his first Spring Festival in China</p>
351. <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe class="youtube-player" width="1086" height="611" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cw6p-GJWST4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;start=4&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></div>
352. <p>&nbsp;</p>
353. <p>&nbsp;</p>
354. <p><strong>“Stock up Your Fridges”</strong></p>
355. <p>For expats like us who stay in town, this is a time to stock up on a week or two worth of provisions until the store owners return to Beijing.</p>
356. <p><a href="http://jonathanbecher.com/2016/03/13/the-giraffe-in-the-refrigerator/#lightbox/0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="332" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/giraffe-in-a-fridge/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giraffe-in-a-fridge.jpg" data-orig-size="615,409" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Giraffe-in-a-fridge" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giraffe-in-a-fridge.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giraffe-in-a-fridge.jpg?w=615" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-332" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giraffe-in-a-fridge.jpg?w=1086" alt="Giraffe-in-a-fridge"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giraffe-in-a-fridge.jpg 615w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giraffe-in-a-fridge.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giraffe-in-a-fridge.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w" sizes="(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /></a></p>
357. <p>&nbsp;</p>
358. <p><strong>Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Dog</strong></p>
359. <p style="text-align:justify;">As you may know, each Chinese (lunar) New Year, is represented by one of the 12 animals from the Chinese Zodiac(<a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">生肖shengxiao</a>): Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.  2018 marks the year of the Dog.</p>
360. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="331" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/zodiac/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/zodiac.jpg" data-orig-size="300,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="zodiac" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/zodiac.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/zodiac.jpg?w=300" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-331 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/zodiac.jpg?w=1086" alt="zodiac"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/zodiac.jpg 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/zodiac.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
361. <p>The ordering of the animals is not as arbitrary as it seems. There is a very old folk tale about why the years progress in this order.</p>
362. <p style="text-align:justify;">There are many variations of this story, but the most popular and widely accepted is the one where Jade Emperor, the ruler of all gods in Chinese mythology, hosts a race in order to determine which 12 animals would be used to mark time. The animals were invited to race to the gates of heaven. The winners, in their respective order, would rule the calendar (zodiac).</p>
363. <p style="text-align:justify;">As the story goes, the last leg of the journey saw the animals crossing a river.  The Ox and <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/rat.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rat</a> got up early knowing that they were slow and would need the extra time.  When they came to the river the Rat hitched a ride on the back of the Ox, but ever the opportunist, the rat jumped to shore and took off in a sprint, allowing him to come first place.  The <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/ox.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ox</a> persisted onward and came in second.  The Rabbit and Tiger had gotten up early, but later still than Ox and Rat.  They had hoped to win on account of their speed.  When they got to the river, Tiger had an easier time swimming across, while Rabbit was made to hop across using rocks and logs along the river.  So it was that <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/tiger.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tiger</a> came in third, and <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/rabbit.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rabbit</a> took fourth place.</p>
364. <p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/dragon.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dragon</a> could have easily flown straight up to the heavenly gates but was waylaid when he decided to help a village that was in trouble.  By the time he was finished, it was too late for him to win anything but fifth place.  Horse had just made it across the river, when he was startled by Snake. <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/snake.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Snake</a> slithered on into sixth place and <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/horse.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Horse</a> followed gingerly behind to come in seventh.  Goat, Monkey, and Rooster cooperated with one another and rafted across the river together.  After crossing they agreed on who would cross the finish line first.  Per their agreement <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/goat.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goat </a>placed eighth, <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/monkey.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monkey</a> placed ninth, and the <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/rooster.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rooster</a> came in tenth.</p>
365. <p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/dog.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dog</a> had every opportunity to place higher in the race, but when he came to the river he realized that he had not bathed in quite some time and spent much of the race playing in the water.</p>
366. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="330" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/giphy/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giphy.gif" data-orig-size="360,360" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="giphy" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giphy.gif?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giphy.gif?w=360" class=" size-full wp-image-330 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giphy.gif?w=1086" alt="giphy"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giphy.gif 360w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giphy.gif?w=150&amp;h=150 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/giphy.gif?w=300&amp;h=300 300w" sizes="(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px" /></p>
367. <p style="text-align:justify;">So it was that he placed eleventh. <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/pig.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pig</a> got sidetracked eating and trundled along slowly, crossing the finish line at 12<sup>th</sup>. Cat showed up the next day having been lied to by Rat about which day the race was to happen.</p>
368. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="337" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/cat-year-of-the-dog/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/cat-year-of-the-dog.jpg" data-orig-size="1080,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="cat year of the dog" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/cat-year-of-the-dog.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/cat-year-of-the-dog.jpg?w=1024" class="  wp-image-337 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/cat-year-of-the-dog.jpg?w=295&#038;h=282" alt="cat year of the dog" width="295" height="282" /></p>
369. <p style="text-align:justify;">The year of the dog has just begun, and one might expect that it would mark a happy time for those born in any of the dog years, however in Chinese culture the opposite is true. Years that share your birth sign are thought to bring bad luck. Your Zodiac Year won’t be a lucky one for you. Instead it will be filled with obstacles and all sorts of challenges when it comes to love, career, wealth, health, and everything else. There might be some triumphs too, but all the victories will be hard won, or perhaps even Pyrrhic victories. According to superstition, the way to avoid bad luck during your zodiac year is to wear something red all year.  Most Chinese can be seen wearing red socks or a belt or bracelet made of red cord to circumvent bad luck during this time. (Red underwear is also highly recommended during your zodiac year)  Be warned though, the “red rule” won’t work unless the red object is bought for you by a close family member, LOL!</p>
370. <p style="text-align:justify;"> Spring Festival is the most important holiday in Chinese Culture.  For those of you who don’t celebrate it, I hope this has given you a little more insight into the traditions and beliefs surrounding this wonderful time of year.</p>
371. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="336" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/mass-migration-forced-recession-racing-animals-everything-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-new-year/lanterns-1/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg" data-orig-size="864,1536" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lanterns 1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg?w=169" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg?w=576" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-336" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg?w=1086" alt="lanterns 1"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg 864w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg?w=84&amp;h=150 84w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg?w=169&amp;h=300 169w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/lanterns-1.jpg?w=768&amp;h=1365 768w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></p>
372. ]]></content:encoded>
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401. <media:title type="html">Giraffe-in-a-fridge</media:title>
402. </media:content>
403.  
404. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/zodiac.jpg" medium="image">
405. <media:title type="html">zodiac</media:title>
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413. <media:title type="html">cat year of the dog</media:title>
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417. <media:title type="html">lanterns 1</media:title>
418. </media:content>
419. </item>
420. <item>
421. <title>How To Train Your Artist! A Handling And Obedience Manual For All Managers!（Part 2）</title>
422. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/how-to-train-your-artist-a-handling-and-obedience-manual-for-all-managers%ef%bc%88part-2%ef%bc%89/</link>
423. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/how-to-train-your-artist-a-handling-and-obedience-manual-for-all-managers%ef%bc%88part-2%ef%bc%89/#respond</comments>
425. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
426. <pubDate>Fri, 09 Feb 2018 06:48:59 +0000</pubDate>
427. <category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
428. <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
429. <category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
430. <category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category>
431. <category><![CDATA[Humour]]></category>
432. <category><![CDATA[Management]]></category>
433. <category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
434. <category><![CDATA[cartoonist]]></category>
435. <category><![CDATA[Do's and Don'ts]]></category>
436. <category><![CDATA[funny]]></category>
437. <category><![CDATA[tips]]></category>
438. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=312</guid>
439.  
440. <description><![CDATA[In my last post I wrote out some of the details specific to the variety of artist that I work with.  This time I will go into some of the major Do’s and Don’ts of dealing with these strange creatures. &#160;                            &#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/how-to-train-your-artist-a-handling-and-obedience-manual-for-all-managers%ef%bc%88part-2%ef%bc%89/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">How To Train Your Artist! A Handling And Obedience Manual For All Managers!（Part&#160;2）</span></a>]]></description>
441. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="entry-title" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-weight:400;">In my last post I wrote out some of the details specific to the variety of artist that I work with.  This time I will go into some of the major Do’s and Don’ts of dealing with these strange creatures.</span></h2>
442. <div class="entry-content">
443. <p>&nbsp;</p>
444. <p><strong>                                        Do&#8217;s and Don&#8217;ts For Training Your Artist</strong></p>
445. <p>&nbsp;</p>
446. <p><strong> DON’T: let their artistic perfectionism control your time.</strong></p>
447. <p>Remind them it is a business</p>
448. <p><strong> DON’T give them the  freedom to take over. </strong></p>
449. <p style="text-align:justify;">If you allow your little cartoonist to take over, he will almost immediately get lost in the labyrinthine quagmire that is his own imagination, setting all important tasks aside in favor of his pet project.</p>
450. <p><strong>DON’T let them fall into “commercial artist syndrome”   </strong></p>
451. <p style="text-align:justify;">Most commercial artists such as cartoonists, animators, ad designers, graphic designers, and web designers given a chance, will want to emphasize “art” and often forget to address commercial appeal.</p>
452. <p><strong>DON’T believe their carefully disguised tricks and excuses to avoid responsibility or extend deadlines</strong></p>
453. <p>If you do not show authority toward the artist, he <i>will</i> be difficult to train.</p>
454. <p><strong>DON’T ask them to wake up early </strong></p>
455. <p style="text-align:justify;">(Artists, esp. EACs, generally don’t function well until after 11am) Don’t make the classical mistake that many over-enthusiastic PMs do: don’t ask them to wake up at 6 a.m. thinking they can get more work done – they will be moaning, groaning, and complaining throughout the whole day.  Also don’t even think about asking them to go to the gym at 7 am.</p>
456. <p><a href="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-101 aligncenter" src="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo.jpg?w=224&#038;h=300" alt="photo" width="224" height="300" /></a><em>                                                     I made that mistake ONCE</em></p>
457. <p><strong>DON’T ask them to read books on planning or how to manage themselves.</strong></p>
458. <p style="text-align:justify;">This is a complete waste of your time and energy, they will never take it seriously, let alone do it. They will come up with millions of reasons why this and this book is not good, or try to explain why this or that self-help author “spouts nothing but psychobabble”, etc.  Instead, make sure any reading assignment you give contains illustrations.</p>
459. <p><a href="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/origami.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-99" src="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/origami.jpg?w=300&#038;h=199" alt="origami" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
460. <p><em> That part on goal sheets is incredible, it’s going to look so great when I fold it into an elephant!</em></p>
461. <p><strong> DON’T tease them, yell at them, be cruelly ironic, or sarcastic.</strong></p>
462. <p>Be especially careful if such action stands to bruise their ego regarding work.  Artists are very sensitive when it comes to their work.</p>
463. <p><strong> DON’T use the word FEEDBACK.</strong></p>
464. <p style="text-align:justify;">Remember, artists are generally apathetic toward business talk, but can become very aggressive when such terms are used in deference to their work.  Words like “feedback”, when used in the wrong context can make them feel especially threatened.  Art for them is art, not business. Instead try to use words that sound less threatening such as, “Suggestion” .</p>
465. <p style="text-align:justify;">As an extension of this, don’t expect them to collect feedback or suggestions from customers.  Most breeds do not care to hear customer feedback, but instead are only keen to hear commentary from other artists.  When exposed to customer feedback Commercial Artist breeds are prone to selective hearing, taking in only those comments that reflect their viewpoint and ignoring any negative comments, sometimes going as far as questioning the sanity of the person who made them.</p>
466. <p><strong>DON’T lose your cool</strong></p>
467. <p style="text-align:justify;">Some breeds can remain very calm if you do, but all have the potential to go into hysterics. Give yourself a few minutes to regain composure, and after that address them in a stern but level tone.</p>
468. <p><strong>DON’T try to “correct” their character</strong></p>
469. <p style="text-align:justify;">Each artist has distinct personality and style that they are usually very proud and protective of.</p>
470. <p><strong>DON’T be alarmed if your artist is up all night</strong></p>
471. <p>This is often when they get their best work done.</p>
472. <p><strong>NEVER ask them to multitask (It’s a mess , trust me） </strong></p>
473. <p>&nbsp;</p>
474. <p>&nbsp;</p>
475. <p><strong> DO’s: </strong><strong>give them rules and limitations of creativity</strong></p>
476. <p>They need to be given rules to follow, and limitations as to what they are and are not allowed to do.</p>
477. <p><strong>  DO show authority; proper pack leadership</strong></p>
478. <p style="text-align:justify;">Without proper leadership from their handler, they can be defensive, irresponsible, lack goal orientation, display irritability, obstinacy, and become very quick to bite.  Sometimes they may even refuse to be handled. if you do not understand what it means to be a true pack leader, you might be  better suited to working with accountants.</p>
479. <p><a href="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/squirt-bottle.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-100" src="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/squirt-bottle.jpg?w=580" alt="squirt bottle" /></a></p>
480. <p><em>                                                    The essential discipline tool</em></p>
481. <p><strong>DO allow them to socialize （they go stir crazy and will begin to chew your stuff）</strong></p>
482. <p><strong>DO give them creative tasks</strong></p>
483. <p>This is their favorite thing. They thrive on creative tasks where they can be totally themselves, and will surprise you with their genial ideas.</p>
484. <p><strong>DO be patient, even when you want to strangle them.</strong></p>
485. <p style="text-align:justify;">It is very challenging for a PM to maintain patience especially when you see that he has followed the priority list from F to A and left you without important documents just before an important event starts. Be patient, because even if you are thinking to fire him, remember, the next one won’t be any different.  You may want to re-consider the importance of micromanagement in this event.</p>
486. <p><strong>DO encourage them and complement them on good work.</strong></p>
487. <p style="text-align:justify;">There isn’t anything on earth that sounds more pleasant to them  than hearing how pleased you are. Well placed ego stroking will bring peace to the workplace, if only temporarily so.</p>
488. <p><strong>DO be forceful and persistent when giving out tasks</strong></p>
489. <p style="text-align:justify;">Many artists have a short attention span and are apt to return to doing what they want to do, their pet projects.</p>
490. <p><strong>DO allow them to work from home</strong></p>
491. <p style="text-align:justify;">Artists love when they get to spend a whole morning in bed, and then get some work done. Office cubicles, 9-5 jobs, and endless meetings are dangerous environments that may lead to them frothing out the mouth.</p>
492. <p><strong>DO allow them to sneak beer into the studio, go to pubs or other environments with alcohol and art s</strong><b>upplies</b></p>
493. <p style="text-align:justify;">Artists (EACs especially) display an uncanny knack for creating when slightly inebriated.</p>
494. <p><strong>DO take away any IDs, bank cards, or other important documents.</strong></p>
495. <p style="text-align:justify;">Artists have an instinct to lose keys, bus passes, bank cards, passports, cell phones and other important items. They are particularly prone to do this at the most inopportune moments.</p>
496. <p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
497. <p style="text-align:justify;">Artists can be fun and rewarding to live/work with but before you decide to take on this serious responsibility, be sure to research which particular breed is right for you……etc.</p>
498. <p style="text-align:justify;">Please let me know about any useful tips I may have missed or share your interesting experience with artists in the comment section below.</p>
499. <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"></div>
500. </div>
501. ]]></content:encoded>
503. <wfw:commentRss>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/how-to-train-your-artist-a-handling-and-obedience-manual-for-all-managers%ef%bc%88part-2%ef%bc%89/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
504. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
508. <media:thumbnail url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/da-walrus.jpg" />
509. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/da-walrus.jpg" medium="image">
510. <media:title type="html">Da Walrus</media:title>
511. </media:content>
512.  
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514. <media:title type="html">mortinchinacomic</media:title>
515. </media:content>
516.  
517. <media:content url="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo.jpg?w=224&#038;h=300" medium="image">
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522. <media:title type="html">origami</media:title>
523. </media:content>
524.  
525. <media:content url="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/squirt-bottle.jpg?w=580" medium="image">
526. <media:title type="html">squirt bottle</media:title>
527. </media:content>
528. </item>
529. <item>
530. <title>How To Train Your Artist! A Handling And Obedience Manual For All Managers! (Part 1)</title>
531. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/how-to-train-your-artist-a-handling-and-obedience-manual-for-all-managers-part-1/</link>
532. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/how-to-train-your-artist-a-handling-and-obedience-manual-for-all-managers-part-1/#respond</comments>
534. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
535. <pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2018 02:02:08 +0000</pubDate>
536. <category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
537. <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
538. <category><![CDATA[Cartoons]]></category>
539. <category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
540. <category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category>
541. <category><![CDATA[Humour]]></category>
542. <category><![CDATA[Management]]></category>
543. <category><![CDATA[Art and Business]]></category>
544. <category><![CDATA[artists]]></category>
545. <category><![CDATA[Cute]]></category>
546. <category><![CDATA[funny]]></category>
547. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=307</guid>
548.  
549. <description><![CDATA[In this week’s blog I’ll discuss some of the techniques and tricks for training and working with artists.  Having an artist can be a fun and rewarding experience.  If not handled in a stern but caring manner however, you might find yourself in a world of trouble, heartache, and frustration. There are many varieties of&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/how-to-train-your-artist-a-handling-and-obedience-manual-for-all-managers-part-1/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">How To Train Your Artist! A Handling And Obedience Manual For All Managers! (Part&#160;1)</span></a>]]></description>
550. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="entry-title"><span style="text-align:justify;font-size:16px;font-weight:400;">In this week’s blog I’ll discuss some of the techniques and tricks for training and working with artists.  Having an artist can be a fun and rewarding experience.  If not handled in a stern but caring manner however, you might find yourself in a world of trouble, heartache, and frustration.</span></h2>
551. <div class="entry-content">
552. <p style="text-align:justify;">There are many varieties of artist, but for the purposes of this manual I will be discussing my breed: the short-haired English-American Cartoonist (referred hereafter as short haired EAC).  I will use this post to discuss the characteristics of this peculiar breed and then move on to more general training trips next week.</p>
553. <p><a href="http://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/dog-riding-a-tricycle_l.jpg"><img id="i-80" class="size-full wp-image" src="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/dog-riding-a-tricycle_l.jpg?w=590" alt="Image" /></a></p>
554. <p><i>          </i><em> Let’s get this blog on the road!</em></p>
555. <p><strong>The Short-Haired English-American Cartoonist    </strong></p>
556. <p><strong><em>Breed Characteristics</em></strong></p>
557. <p style="text-align:justify;">The short-haired English-American cartoonist (EAC) is a clever, creative, talented, lively, affectionate, romantic, proud, brave, amusing, merry, devoted and loving cartoonist with a well rounded sense of humor. They are spirited and obedient, careful and amusing, and like many artists enjoy escapist activities such as video games.  Like all cartoonists, they are half-artist, half-writer.  Due to the trans-Atlantic nature of the breed, EACs travel well. Devoted to their sketch books and lampooning everything they disagree with, they can be slightly difficult to train and housebreak, but not impossible.</p>
558. <p><a href="http://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/puppy.jpg"><img loading="lazy" width="323" height="155" id="i-83" class="size-full wp-image" src="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/puppy.jpg?w=323" alt="Image" /></a></p>
559. <p><em>Be nice to me and play with me, otherwise I tear up your stuff and doodle everywhere!</em></p>
560. <p><strong><em>Temperament</em></strong></p>
561. <p style="text-align:justify;">This breed is highly intelligent; if you let them take an inch, they can become willful and determined to take a mile. This little cartoonist needs a practical Project Manager (PM) who understands how to be his pack leader.  He needs to be given rules to follow, and limitations as to what he is and is not allowed to do. Do not let this little cartoonist fall into Commercial Artist Syndrome, or else he may begin to believe he is pack in charge.  If you allow this he will take over the business and begin to run the company into the ground with his artistic perfectionism and obscure references that no one else would possibly understand. Cartoonists that are allowed to take over will display many behavior problems, such as, but not limited to, unmet deadlines, large amounts of in-stock product, financial debts, excessive drinking, pencil shavings strewn across the floor, and maniacal laughter at their own jokes. This breed is highly trainable and is able to perform many impressive tricks.  However, if you do not show authority toward the cartoonist, it will be resistant to training.  EACs  are usually only recommended for experienced, well-mannered administrators, simply because most PMs do not display proper pack leadership with artists. Handlers need to be as strong-willed as the cartoonist otherwise this little guy will take over.  If not guided properly the EAC may show moderate to severe protectiveness over their work, a behavior that can only change if the PM offers stern management laced with an even amount of praise and encouragement. When an EAC is shown good leadership, they can get along famously with Project Managers.  With the right owner an EAC can really excel.  Short-haired English- American Cartoonists that have solid business leadership, along with well-placed praise and appreciation are wonderful companions with excellent temperaments.</p>
562. <p><strong>Health Problems:</strong></p>
563. <p style="text-align:justify;">Short-hair EMC are an overall healthy breed, but have a tendency to become overweight and lazy if not made to exercise regularly. (They have a penchant for drinking heavily in the studio when no one sees them – this is a serious health risk)  Contrary to how many EACs behave, they are not, in fact “Allergic to Responsibility”.  Be forceful and persistent when giving out tasks.  They should be discouraged from multitasking however, as they are prone to nervous breakdown.</p>
564. <p><strong>Living Conditions:</strong></p>
565. <p style="text-align:justify;">Good for apartment living. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. They need to get out of the house daily. However, don’t put them in office cubicles or 9-5 jobs! They heavily dislike meeting rooms, and are known to doodle if they have to be there for longer than an hour.</p>
566. <p><strong>Exercise:</strong></p>
567. <p style="text-align:justify;">Like most artists, EACs enjoy sessions of play in a pub or other environment with alcohol.  They are prone to restlessness and may become destructive if they do not receive enough exercise or activities to occupy their keen mind.  EAC’s that are mentally stable, with all of their artistic instincts met, will not display these negative behaviors.</p>
568. <p><a href="http://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/thats-the-stuff.jpg"><img loading="lazy" width="440" height="562" id="i-86" class="size-full wp-image" src="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/thats-the-stuff.jpg?w=440" alt="Image" /></a></p>
569. <p><i>            Oh yeah, that’s the stuff!</i></p>
570. <p><strong>Life Expectancy:</strong></p>
571. <p>40  – 90 years, depending on how angry  he makes me.</p>
572. <p>Stay tuned for Part Two: <strong>” The Do’s and Don’ts For Training Your Artist.”</strong>  (coming later this week )</p>
573. </div>
574. ]]></content:encoded>
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577. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
581. <media:thumbnail url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/i-can-paint.jpg" />
582. <media:content url="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/i-can-paint.jpg" medium="image">
583. <media:title type="html">I can paint!</media:title>
584. </media:content>
585.  
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587. <media:title type="html">mortinchinacomic</media:title>
588. </media:content>
589.  
590. <media:content url="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/dog-riding-a-tricycle_l.jpg?w=590" medium="image">
591. <media:title type="html">Image</media:title>
592. </media:content>
593.  
594. <media:content url="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/puppy.jpg?w=323" medium="image">
595. <media:title type="html">Image</media:title>
596. </media:content>
597.  
598. <media:content url="https://alittlebitapparel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/thats-the-stuff.jpg?w=440" medium="image">
599. <media:title type="html">Image</media:title>
600. </media:content>
601. </item>
602. <item>
603. <title>Talent Can Be Learned, But Can Ambition?</title>
604. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/talent-can-be-learned-but-can-ambition/</link>
605. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/talent-can-be-learned-but-can-ambition/#comments</comments>
607. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
608. <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:42:51 +0000</pubDate>
609. <category><![CDATA[Art]]></category>
610. <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
611. <category><![CDATA[Cartoons]]></category>
612. <category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
613. <category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category>
614. <category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
615. <category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
616. <category><![CDATA[Ambition]]></category>
617. <category><![CDATA[Art and Business]]></category>
618. <category><![CDATA[Starting a business]]></category>
619. <category><![CDATA[Talent]]></category>
620. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=301</guid>
621.  
622. <description><![CDATA[&#160;    My first job in China was an HR position for a start up company. I was looking through many applicants’ CVs each day, but it wasn’t until a year after I started that I received a CV of a talent that left me completely in awe:   …In thirty years’ time he has&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/talent-can-be-learned-but-can-ambition/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Talent Can Be Learned, But Can&#160;Ambition?</span></a>]]></description>
623. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
624. <p style="text-align:justify;">   My first job in China was an HR position for a start up company. I was looking through many applicants’ CVs each day, but it wasn’t until a year after I started that I received a CV of a talent that left me completely in awe:</p>
625. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="302" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/talent-can-be-learned-but-can-ambition/bird_in_awe/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/bird_in_awe.gif" data-orig-size="375,250" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="bird_in_awe" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/bird_in_awe.gif?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/bird_in_awe.gif?w=375" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-302" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/bird_in_awe.gif?w=1086" alt="bird_in_awe"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/bird_in_awe.gif 375w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/bird_in_awe.gif?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/bird_in_awe.gif?w=300&amp;h=200 300w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" /></p>
626. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em>  …</em><em>In thirty years’ time he has experienced and been exposed to more than some people venture to deal with over the course of their lives (though he tries to be humble about it).  He has lived abroad on multiple occasions; seen at least 35 of the contiguous US states; speaks English, Mandarin Chinese, and French, along with a smattering of Ancient Greek. He can play three musical instruments; is incredibly well read by English language standards; has engaged himself in multiple sciences from an early age, starting with Geology and moving on to Biology, then to Developmental Neuro-psychology and Linguistics.  He is well versed in history and folklore.  His family history is well known to him and he can trace some branches back to somewhere around 900 AD. He has managed a band, knows both fencing and archery, and has taught himself to use numerous production soft-wares starting from the Adobe Suite, and ranging on into music production programs, and even into 3d rendering and animation.  His father was a computer programmer so he has been able to punch in basic code since he was five. He had been skateboarding since age six. He can cook very well (Cajun is his specialty), and he may have forgotten more cocktails than some bartenders ever learn over the course of their careers.  He can, and has brewed as well. He’s been drawing cartoons since he was six and it has never left him. He is fascinated by cartoons and animation. </em></p>
627. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em> </em></p>
628. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em> </em>“He is mine” I thought. The week after, he was already on board. We worked together on a project and I found out that he could draw out everything that I could and couldn’t imagine. In the months of working together we developed a great friendship, which turned into something more.  One day the company went unexpectedly bankrupt and announced its closure; it was time to make our relationship public.</p>
629. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em> </em><em>Personal Anecdote: Talents gone to waste. </em></p>
630. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em>One evening we went out to a soft launch of our friend’s bar. Vali got a chance to get behind the bar.  He had just poured out a fifth original cocktail and once again, everyone was in awe.  He was able to instantly think up five, unique, mind-blowing cocktail recipes, and he just gave them to the owner… for free… </em></p>
631. <p style="text-align:justify;"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="303" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/talent-can-be-learned-but-can-ambition/fgwastedtalent1/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/fgwastedtalent1.jpg" data-orig-size="730,549" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="FGWastedTalent1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/fgwastedtalent1.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/fgwastedtalent1.jpg?w=730" class="alignnone  wp-image-303" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/fgwastedtalent1.jpg?w=550&#038;h=381" alt="FGWastedTalent1" width="550" height="381" /></p>
632. <p style="text-align:justify;">   Naturally I felt attracted to someone whom I considered to be totally different from me. The question kept running through my mind though, “When will he stop giving out his unique talents and skills as if they were something that everyone else on earth possessed?” With all his talents he still had a 9-5 (In China 9-6) job, and while it was obvious that 9-5 job didn’t make him happy, he didn’t do much about it. The thought that the man of my life possessed such unique talents, but still seemed so devoid of ambition frustrated the hell out of me. He was wasting his talents.</p>
633. <p style="text-align:justify;"><em>  </em>This time I told him “You must wake up and do something with your potential, instead of wasting it and giving it away for free!” A few days later, he told me that he was thinking to turn his cartooning skills toward making a unique T-shirt brand.</p>
634. <p style="text-align:justify;">   I felt relieved, it sounded a little crazy (especially that part about the T-shirts), but he had finally started thinking about business. I liked the idea a lot and told him that I was willing to give him my support.  In my mind we are the “perfect match” He is a creative artist who had all the talents in the world (and if he lacked any it would only take a week of study before he acquired it) but didn’t know what to do with them. I on the other hand, I had a strong ambition to start my own business, but I couldn’t decide on the right idea. In Vali’s brain there was never any lack of ideas. This was the beginning of our business adventure.</p>
635. <p style="text-align:justify;">      You can’t make some people learn ambition. Throughout these years in business he has remained relatively unchanged, A few attempts to make him set goals, plan, and have business meetings have succeeded, but it has been a slow process. He kept repeating to me “I just want to draw cartoons” and that the reason that made him go into business was me, he was doing all this for me. He stuck with his talents, and throughout these years he has been constantly producing great quality, fun comics that our fans like a lot. Though I didn’t think I had any talents when we started, I accomplished quite a bit through hard effort, and found some of my talents throughout the process. I paved the way for him: I set the goals, the vision, did all the PR work for our brand, and took charge the not so creative part accounting, finances and law, of which I hardly knew anything. We have formed a lasting partnership where each individual’s skills compliment the other. One-part talent, one part ambition.</p>
636. <p style="text-align:justify;"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="305" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/30/talent-can-be-learned-but-can-ambition/stubborn_mule/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/stubborn_mule.jpg" data-orig-size="199,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D40&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1244899465&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;55&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="stubborn_mule" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/stubborn_mule.jpg?w=199" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/stubborn_mule.jpg?w=199" class=" size-full wp-image-305 aligncenter" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/stubborn_mule.jpg?w=1086" alt="stubborn_mule"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/stubborn_mule.jpg 199w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/stubborn_mule.jpg?w=100&amp;h=150 100w" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" />                                                    <em> “Hi, I’m your new cartoonist!”</em></p>
637. <p>&nbsp;</p>
638. ]]></content:encoded>
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662. <item>
663. <title>Talent or Ambition, Which Matters More When Starting a Business？</title>
664. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/22/talent-or-ambition-which-matters-more-when-starting-a-business%ef%bc%9f/</link>
665. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/22/talent-or-ambition-which-matters-more-when-starting-a-business%ef%bc%9f/#comments</comments>
667. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
668. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:32:07 +0000</pubDate>
669. <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
670. <category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category>
671. <category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
672. <category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
673. <category><![CDATA[Ambition]]></category>
674. <category><![CDATA[Art and Business]]></category>
675. <category><![CDATA[Starting a business]]></category>
676. <category><![CDATA[Talent]]></category>
677. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=297</guid>
678.  
679. <description><![CDATA[When we hear about someone who has succeeded in business, our first thought might be that this person is very talented. By reading the stories of some of the most successful people in history, we can see that not all of them were born talented. On the contrary, they often attribute their success to their&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/22/talent-or-ambition-which-matters-more-when-starting-a-business%ef%bc%9f/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Talent or Ambition, Which Matters More When Starting a&#160;Business？</span></a>]]></description>
680. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When we hear about someone who has succeeded in business, our first thought might be that this person is very talented. By reading the stories of some of the most successful people in history, we can see that not all of them were born talented. On the contrary, they often attribute their success to their ambition to make a difference in the world, to have a better life, and to help others. Though they weren’t born with special talents, as they followed the call of their ambition they discovered their purpose in life. For them talent is an asset they have acquired in the process through hard work and learning.</p>
681. <p>&nbsp;</p>
682. <p>On the other hand, many people are born with certain talents, only to find that talent doesn&#8217;t automatically guarantee success in life. Many talented people go through life simply wasting their abilities because they lack the ambition and discipline it takes to remain persistent when challenges start mounting up. Even if we are born talented we still need to work hard to succeed. Having a talent might win half the battle, but to succeed talent must work hand in hand with ambition.</p>
683. <p>While skills can be learned through hard work and effort, the same is not always true for ambition. It is almost impossible to teach someone who doesn’t posses the inner drive and motivation, to want to succeed.</p>
684. <p>When I was entertaining the idea of starting a business, I realized that I had the ambition, but couldn’t really tell if I had any talents at that time. Experience has taught me that talent can indeed be learned and taught.</p>
685. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="322" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/22/talent-or-ambition-which-matters-more-when-starting-a-business%ef%bc%9f/df2-32/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg" data-orig-size="1600,1600" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DF2-32" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg?w=1024" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-322" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg?w=1086" alt="DF2-32"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg 1600w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150 150w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg?w=300&amp;h=300 300w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg?w=768&amp;h=768 768w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/df2-32.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=1024 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /></p>
686. <p><em>  Personal Anecdote: How ambition made up for lack of talent.</em></p>
687. <p>When I was choosing my second major in college, I made a mistake and was left with Chinese as my only choice for a second major. I had no talent for languages, in fact I was the worst student in class at the time. Yet, in my final year I heard about an opportunity to attend a Chinese language competition. The prize was a year long scholarship to study Chinese in China. This motivated me. I studied day and night for the competition, and in the end I won a scholarship and went to China. I now speak fluent Chinese; in a lot of phone conversations with natives they aren’t able to tell that I am a foreigner. This is definitely not because I had a talent when I first started. Even my first Chinese teacher couldn’t believe this story.</p>
688. <p>Throughout the course of my life the dots have continued to connect. Not only did I win the first scholarship, but I won another one 2 years later and came back to Beijing for a second time. Growing up in a small city, I realized that Beijing had much more to offer. China became my land of opportunities. This time ambition didn’t let me leave. It was time to look for my first job.</p>
689. <p>&nbsp;</p>
690. ]]></content:encoded>
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699. <media:title type="html">1810957-Casey-Stoner-Quote-Your-ambition-outweighed-your-talent</media:title>
700. </media:content>
701.  
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709. </item>
710. <item>
711. <title>Tips For First Time Self Publishing: Things No One Told Me</title>
712. <link>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/tips-for-first-time-self-publishing-things-no-one-told-me/</link>
713. <comments>https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/tips-for-first-time-self-publishing-things-no-one-told-me/#respond</comments>
715. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mort In China]]></dc:creator>
716. <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2018 14:03:29 +0000</pubDate>
717. <category><![CDATA[Kindle ebooks]]></category>
718. <category><![CDATA[publishing]]></category>
719. <category><![CDATA[Self Publishing]]></category>
720. <category><![CDATA[amazon KDP]]></category>
721. <category><![CDATA[authors]]></category>
722. <category><![CDATA[comic books]]></category>
723. <category><![CDATA[kindle]]></category>
724. <category><![CDATA[Kindledeals]]></category>
725. <category><![CDATA[tips]]></category>
726. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/?p=290</guid>
727.  
728. <description><![CDATA[So it finally happened, we self-published for the first time. We ran a free promotion for 5 days and made it to #1 in three of our key categories: Comics &#38; Graphic Novels, Cartoons, and Humour &#38; Entertainment. The promotion went well and we were able to connect with our target readers and get their&#8230; <a href="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/tips-for-first-time-self-publishing-things-no-one-told-me/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Tips For First Time Self Publishing: Things No One Told&#160;Me</span></a>]]></description>
729. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So it finally happened, we self-published for the first time. We ran a free promotion for 5 days and made it to #1 in three of our key categories: Comics &amp; Graphic Novels, Cartoons, and Humour &amp; Entertainment. The promotion went well and we were able to connect with our target readers and get their feedback. Though we initially set our key words as “Indie, Chinese, comic, Graphic novels”, we unexpectedly connected with lots of students of Chinese language who told us that they would really like to have some fun resources to practice their reading skills, and that our comic is just what they were looking for. Some even suggested that we go on and contact universities to introduce our comic book. They told us we were filing a niche, which we were very happy to hear.  Fortunately, we have friends at the Croatian Confucius Institute as well as friends who run Chinese schools that further shared our post which resulted in a lot of downloads. The overall feedback was positive, both comic lovers and students of Chinese thought the book was cute, adorable, and useful.</p>
730. <p>Now the harsh fact:</p>
731. <p>Now that the free promotion is finally over, we can breathe and relax a bit; though not for too long. After a free promotion, a newly published book faces many challenges. It is very easy to promote a free book, but once that promotion is over the main challenge is to keep finding new ways to promote a book that people have to pay for. The results and the #1s attained during the free promotion hardly matter any longer. It’s the sales that help maintain the #1 rank.  On a positive note, a large number of free downloads is usually a good sign that people will talk about your book, and may even share it with other or be waiting for the next issue.</p>
732. <p>Lessons we learned:</p>
733. <ol>
734. <li>Your first book doesn’t have to be perfect.</li>
735. </ol>
736. <p>The most important thing to understand for people self-publishing for the first time is that it is above all, a learning experience. No matter how long you’ve been preparing there will still be mistakes. The first comic book we published is actually very short, it’s about 24 pages and serves as an introduction to the miniseries. Even though some people suggested it would be better if we published it together with the second book so readers could get a glimpse of our protagonist’s China experience, we felt that we had to make our mistakes first. This book was a good choice to start with – it’s short, it’s fun, it’s not perfect, but it served the purpose.</p>
737. <ol start="2">
738. <li>Publish the book first and then set the date for free promotion when you are ready</li>
739. </ol>
740. <p>Some of you might already know this, but I didn’t.  Once you publish a book, Amazon doesn’t allow you to start the free promotion on the release day, it has to be at least one day after.  So if you’ve already told other websites that the free promotion starts on the day of release, you may lose credibility with these sites.  They will go to your Amazon page on the day of release only to find that it is not free because Amazon policy does not permit free downloads on release day. If you find yourself in this situation you will have to resubmit to these sites again. Some of these websites may not have available slots at that time. This can be a big headache, so keep this tip in mind: Release first, then set your free promotion dates.</p>
741. <ol start="3">
742. <li>Setting promotion days is flexible, but setting the publishing day is not.</li>
743. </ol>
744. <p>Once your book is available for pre-order and you’ve set your publishing date, you will not be able to adjust that date within about 10 days of your set publishing date on Amazon without forfeiting the ability to make your books available for pre-order for a whole year.</p>
745. <ol start="4">
746. <li>Not everyone has Kindle.</li>
747. </ol>
748. <p>Amazon gives users the option to download their Kindle application for whatever device they are using in order to read books.  Some people will want to read your book on their computer.  This should be easy, but we discovered that figuring out where this option is can be very hard and frustrating. Amazon runs counter-intuitive, so we created an infographic to help:</p>
749. <p><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="291" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/tips-for-first-time-self-publishing-things-no-one-told-me/reading-on-amazon/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg" data-orig-size="2480,3508" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Reading on Amazon" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg?w=212" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg?w=724" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-291" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg?w=1086" alt="Reading on Amazon"   srcset="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg 2480w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg?w=106&amp;h=150 106w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg?w=212&amp;h=300 212w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg?w=768&amp;h=1086 768w, https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/reading-on-amazon.jpg?w=724&amp;h=1024 724w" sizes="(max-width: 2480px) 100vw, 2480px" /></p>
750. <ol start="5">
751. <li>Use your ASIN Number in your promotion posts.</li>
752. </ol>
753. <p>When you share your posts you will probably include a link to the U.S. store or to the store of the country you live in. However, many of your readers come from other countries. Amazon has stores worldwide, so to make things easy for these readers, you may want to leave your ASIN number or provide links to the other stores worldwide separately.</p>
754. <p style="text-align:left;"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="292" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/tips-for-first-time-self-publishing-things-no-one-told-me/amazon-redirect/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/amazon-redirect.jpg" data-orig-size="1240,1748" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Amazon redirect" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/amazon-redirect.jpg?w=213" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/amazon-redirect.jpg?w=726" class="alignnone  wp-image-292" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/amazon-redirect.jpg?w=325&#038;h=420" alt="Amazon redirect" width="325" height="420" /> <img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="295" data-permalink="https://mortinchinacomic.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/tips-for-first-time-self-publishing-things-no-one-told-me/screen-shot-2018-01-15-at-9-57-06-pm/" data-orig-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/screen-shot-2018-01-15-at-9-57-06-pm.png" data-orig-size="536,390" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Screen Shot 2018-01-15 at 9.57.06 PM" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/screen-shot-2018-01-15-at-9-57-06-pm.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/screen-shot-2018-01-15-at-9-57-06-pm.png?w=536" class="alignnone  wp-image-295" src="https://mortinchinacomic.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/screen-shot-2018-01-15-at-9-57-06-pm.png?w=301&#038;h=226" alt="Screen Shot 2018-01-15 at 9.57.06 PM" width="301" height="226" /></p>
755. <ol start="6">
756. <li>Review requirements for new accounts.</li>
757. </ol>
758. <p>Getting people to write reviews is definitely the hardest part of publishing on Amazon.  One might think that they can rely on friends and family for reviews, but the reality is that they won’t leave reviews unless you ask them to.  Friends and family are also people with busy lives, so don’t take it personally. Some of them may say they will but in the end won’t leave a review. Before you go assuming they don’t care, I would point our another thing that I wasn’t aware of when it comes to reviews. If you haven’t previously spent the equivalent of $50 on Amazon products, you won’t be able to leave a review. Many of our friends informed us about this.</p>
759. <ol start="7">
760. <li>Choose a few websites and pay them to promote your book:</li>
761. </ol>
762. <p>It certainly gave me a good feeling when I was able to submit my book info to so many free book submission websites, but in reality many of them do state that promotion results are not guaranteed. Instead of struggling to promote your book on multiple sites at once, it is my opinion that it is better to use a paid promotion service to spread the word about your book.  Do some research and get some recommendations first.  Using a paid service will guarantee that your work is being promoted to thousands of readers on a regular basis.  It saves a lot of time and gets results, so it is worth the money.</p>
763. <p>From my experience I would definitely recommend the guys from “Awesome Gang” as they published our <a href="https://awesomegang.com/christopher-vali-rumage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">author interview</a> for free, as well as <a href="http://askdavid.com/for-authors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">askdavid</a> who went to the trouble of sending us an email with a link to our tweet, as well as four other links to tweets we can schedule at a later time (over the course of one year).</p>
764. <p>What I would do differently next time:</p>
765. <p>Going over what worked and what didn’t during our first promotion definitely gave us more ideas what to do and what NOT to DO next time. My biggest takeaway is that next time I might not allow for 5 free days all at once. First it’s a bit long and can feel exhausting. Second if you use your free days for separate promotions and distribute for example 1/4 or 2/3, you have a chance to get reviews first and then launch your big promotion.  The advantage of this is that many promotion sites require your book to have 3 or more reviews before they approve your request for book submission. Finally, when it comes to reviews I will definitely think of some worthy incentive to make people leave a review – simply asking them to leave a review might work the first time but it won’t be effective in the long term.</p>
766. <p>&nbsp;</p>
767. <p>This was my first publishing experience; I hope you found this helpful. If there is something I missed please add it in the comment section below. In case you missed it and would like to have a look at our comic book, here is where you can get it.</p>
768. <div class="embed-amazon"><iframe type="text/html" width="1086" height="550" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen style="max-width:100%" src="https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&#038;linkCode=kpd&#038;ref_=k4w_oembed_cys6Ql7NK4bjIb&#038;asin=B077X7ZSKT&#038;tag=kpembed-20"></iframe></div>
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