Good Writing is Rewriting ~Truman Capote
Laughter, tears, joys, exhilaration. These are some of the emotions felt as we write. But it’s in re-writing that we find the good.
Keep writing! āļø
Cheers!
Author: Dr. Shelly
Dr. Shelly Cameron is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and author of 12 nonfiction books, including The GreenLight Factor and Success Strategies of Caribbean American Leaders. She is the creator of the GreenLight Leadership Framework and founder of Global Coaching Corner. She leads the Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30 Emerging Leaders program. Drawing on over 20 years of global HR leadership experience, she's passionate about helping professionals navigate change and design fulfilling lives through intentional goal setting and self-discovery. Her research was published in the JAABC Business Journal, and she was a featured author for the 2026 Africana Arts & Humanities Festival's 250th celebration.
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Writers Share Their Biggest Fears About Writing…
āIf the book is true, it will find an audience that is meant to read it.ā
āWally Lamb
Getting started, getting done, the book failing. Those were some of the comments to the question asked in a forum:
What is your one Biggest Fear when it comes to writing?
Here IĀ share Flaunted excerpts of the many who chimed in:
- Getting stared
- Blindness, Alzheimer’s, other
- The fear of getting done and the book failing
- Fear of being criticized rather than being critiqued
- Getting half way through a second draft and realizing the story won’t work
- Writers block
- That I spend painful hours at the computer and produce garbage
- Fear that my historical search won’t be accurate
- Letting people read what I write
- No one reading it. No one liking it
- Finding a new idea
- Not finishing
- That they’ll just sit there forever never selling more than a few hundred copies and my life will be wasted with nothing to show for it
- That I’m putting in a lot of work in with not a lot of return
- No sales
- Lost in back-story
- Procrastination
- That I am not any good
As a writer, do you share any of these fears? Any missing? Do share! We’d love to hear!
Cheers!
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The Power of U-Turns…
Strive and Reach for what you can Achieve
My eyes caught the attention of an article titled āGiving upā. It quickly sparked my interest because I usually steer away from ever giving up. In my youth I did track, and for all those athletes out there, you know just how much effort it takes to get in shape. To stick to your goal. To become fit and ready for that race. As I advanced into maturity, the same heldĀ true for me. It became the very grain of my existence. During college, and career advancement, I never gave up. Now as a consultant and coach, I MentorĀ and encourage entrepreneurs, managers, and employees, to stick to their goals, dreams, and aspirations.
That article reminded me of another I had read about success and fear. Both fear and the desire to give up intertwine and cripple us, often fueling negative thoughts and actions. There are many individuals who throw away their lives becoming lethargic, stuck, wasted, straying away from their goals, get into trouble, end up self-imprisoned, or worse. Not to mention those dying at age 25, yet buried at 75.
I say burst that Bubble! It is delightful to strive and reach for what you can achieve!
The Power Of U-Turns
Enter the power of U-Turns. U-TurnsĀ remind us to get up, dust off, find a mentor or support system, and get back on track.
The writer in Ā the first articleĀ āGiving upā concluded with a twist. He suggested being wise enough to know when to stop, refuel, and get back on track. So make that U-Turn today. Shake off that fear. Shake off the very thought of giving up…and as Mahatma Gandhi said, āBe the change you wish to see in the worldā. Apply it to yourself. Be your change today.
Need help? Let’s connect.
Cheers!
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Career: When The Recruiter Calls… 7 Tips How To Evaluate…
Success is where preparation meets opportunity. ~Bobby Unser
Align yourself with the right people. Be visible. Observe. Show up. Then you will be able to see and be seen. These simple insights will help propel you in the direction of recruiters on the hunt…and when they call, sure you will ponder if the opportunity is right.
If you have been with a company for three years or more, the decision may be easier especially if you are not seeing the light. But whatĀ if you have said ‘yes’ to another opportunity and have been on the job for less than a year, busy settling in, then a recruiter calls, how do you know if you should jump ship?
Recognizing The Right Opportunity
Here are a few 7 Questions to ask on how to evaluate an offer in order to make the right decision.
- Does the job fit into your long-term career goal?
- Consider the industry as well as the health of the company. Are they experiencing financial difficulties?
- Is the job high stressed with little or no work/life balance?
- Is the commute long and will make you miserable? Will it deplete your time, energy and resources?
- Does it involve travel? Often career seekers are happy at the thought of travel but will it be a weekly requirement? Will you have to be away from family?
- What about Benefits and Perks? Consider the options provided such as medical, 401K plan, pension plan, personal time off, tuition reimbursement and such?
- What about salary? Often job seekers are easily lured by higher salary but is there a plan for timely increases?
In summary, burst the Bubble. Know where you want to go. When you see the opportunity, you will recognize it. For example, getting a college degree must be done through knowing where you want to go and what you want to do. Once that’s done, you will be able to take the step to find the right opportunity. You can be assured that provided you made the right preparations, when you see it you will know it.
So don’t be Abrupt, evaluate well because at the end of the day, if you are not happy and hate getting up in the mornings to go to work, you’re sure to regret it.
Need help in making the decision or assessing an opportunity? Let’s connect.
Cheers!
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Itās Time To Make That Move…
Career: The 7 Signs That Tells You When To Look For New Opportunities…
We have all been there. Times when we feel we are at a crossroad and don’t know whether to stay with the company, or whether to go. It’s not an easy road. Certainly a time for deep reflection and analysis. But it can be done using helpful strategies.
7 Signs That Tells You When To Look for New Opportunities
Extracted from theMuse, here are my top 7 WHENs that you can use to know when it’s time to move on.
- When you are unhappy most of the day. What’s the point of being unhappy doing what you do?
- When the only way you can move up is when your boss retires. Oh well, need I say more?
- When you get passed over for a promotion more than once
- When your company is cutting back or your industry is shrinking. Astonished? Commonsense really…extinction is at hand. Be alert. Keep your eyes open.
- When the skills you have been hired to use for the job aren’t a fit
- When the environment is toxic and the outcomes are meaningless
- When you believe that you’re meant for bigger and better things
There you have it. The top signs that tells you when it’s time to move on. Do any of the 7 resonate? Can you suggest other signs? Do Share. We would love to hear.
Need help to make that change? Get the book Ditch It Switch It or better yet, Lets connect.
Cheers!
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Which Movie Changed Your Life?
Movies inspire. Some make you laugh, angry, sad, sentimental or even throw a TantrumĀ because we are disappointed as in the ending of the movie Avengers Infinity War. Here are 9 Movies That Inspire
But the movie that touched my heart and changed my life was John Q which dealt with the state of healthcare, its contribution to life and its salivating existence to those in need. I worked in pharmaceutical for many years then went to make a difference managing several of medical centers across South Florida.
That’s my story. I’m serious about helping others. I’m not all talk. Let’s connect if you need help.
What about you? Are there any movies that have inspired you to take a turn to do something different in your life? Do share. We wanna hear.
Cheers!
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Write Away…
I want to write away. Basically get away somewhere by the beach or surrounded by nature, water flowing, birds singing, peace, quiet and natural stones. Without a Cur, I’d just write and write.
Slow pace. No rush. Quiet clear thoughts. Write away to help others. Oh for the time to write…just write.
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Selfcare: How Does One Engage In Self-Care?
Do Whatever it Takes
We shared theĀ 17 Self-Care Activitiesā¦Ā Then one reader asked how does one find the time to engage in self-care activities? Naturally, most of usĀ struggle with that too. So here’s what I do.
Make it Important
First of all I make it important. Then based on my schedule , I decide which I can do. Some can be done on a daily basis like stealing away to the restroom or my car to Just Breathe even for a minute or two while on the job. That helps to manage the daily stress. Find that Rivulet. Simply walk away.
Schedule It
Another NotableĀ option …if it’s something that I like to do such as going to the beach, I schedule it once a week, or it might just be bi-weekly. Some activities may even be once a month. Whatever works.
Team Up With Others
I may also team up with people who are stronger than me. For example I need to exercise. So I ask for an accountability partner. I don’t pressure myself. I start with a little at a time such as walking up the stairs to the parking garage.Ā For other things like travel, I team up with people like my daughter who likes to travel (for pleasure). I have done vast amount of business travel and it’s not the same. We may even travel somewhere for a night or two with friends or family (as in a weekend getaway), and that helps to take care of that activity.
Do Not Beat Yourself Up
For me personally, my passion is writing but finding the time is hard. For starters I do not throw a TantrumĀ or pressure myself. Sad as it is, I face my reality and reduce my time to whatever I have available and get it done.
So there you have it. Hope it helps.Ā Do any of the above resonate? Can you add any? Do share! We want to hear!
Cheers!
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The Grass Is Greener…
Planning To Take Vacation This Year? 35 Percent Donāt. Hereās Why…
Hawaii, Paris, Caribbean, Central America, Vegas, or a Simple Staycation. It’s amazing what a little break can do to our mental capacity. From the planning, organizing and more, all exude times of exhilaration, relaxation and joy!
Yet…The Society of Human Resources Associates (SHRM) shared that over 35 percent of Americans don’t plan on taking all their vacation days this year. A potential year of the Cranks in the making?Ā Here are the reasons cited:
- 43% Saving time for something later
- 21% Too much work
- 15% Don’t have enough money
- 9% Feel guilty
- 9% Other reasons
- 3% Discouraged by their boss
In light of the more transient workforce, employers are trying various options to attract quality applicants. Such measures include a combined databank of employee time off which includes up to 4 weeks off on date of hire. Naturally, employees are ecstatic of this change and proves it’s a great methodology for recruitment. However, this databank represents a combination of paid time off including sick and vacation.
Paid Time Off
Do you plan on taking your vacation this year? If so, great! If not, why not? Does your reason fall into any of the above?Ā Something to think about.
Need help with your workforce plans? Lets connect!
Cheers!
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Readers Share Their Favorite Books That Stayed With Them Long After Being Read…
To read or not to read?
Barnes & Noble asked Readers to share a book that stayed with them long after they had read it. Many instantly chimed in with ElaborateĀ responses. Here I share excerpts:
- Harry Potter series
- The Alchemist
- The Bible
- The Book Thief
- The Outsiders
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- 1984
- The Fault in Our Stars
- Looking For Alaska
- The Giving Tree
- The Great Gatsby
- Cather in the Rye
- She’s Come Undone
- Hunger Games series
- When Breath Becomes Air
- The Secret Garden
- Tuesday’s With Morrie
- Pride and Prejudice
- Who Moved My Cheese
- The Shack
- The Great Gatsby
- Fahrenheit 451
- Eleanor and Park
- The Nightingale
- All The Light We Cannot See
- Unbroken
- The Giver
There you have it! Did any resonate with you? Don’t throw a Tantrum, Do Share!
Cheers!
