9 Steps To Writing Your First Book

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

It’s such an exciting time to think about publishing your very own book! It certainly was for me when I did my research and got it published in the Journal of American Academy of Business Cambridge (JAABC), as well as my books on success strategies and leadership. I am now busy writing a new inspirational book. Tons of Lush near Edible excitement especially when you receive the first printed copy! Woo-hoo!

I have been getting requests from interested first time writers and decided to share my personal thoughts on how to get the writing done in order to get published. To be honest I understand the Seriousness of this goal. So here are my own 9 steps to get you going.

9 Steps to Getting Your Book Done

1.Develop that mindset.
Goal achievement begins in the mind. Think of the saying “if you can imagine it you can achieve…

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Goals. The Power Of The List…

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Henry Ford

Goals, write them down. Then work them. In a recent post Yendi shared her 10 Goals.
Years ago when I was expecting, I went to Lamaze class where my only child at the time would play with the instructor’s teen, Yendi.

Big Goals

Recently Yendi reflected how she wrote down her 10-year goals. Many reveal that they cannot even think that far. In Yendi’s case her dream was to enter and win the Miss Jamaica World contest. She worked it and yep, she did it! From the entry to the steps to win it … and that she did.

So make sure that your goals are BIG so you can’t miss them when they come through!

How old are you now? What dreams are you carrying. Take the time to write them down. Then once you do, work them and there’s no doubt that you will achieve them. Don’t know where to start? Let’s connect or dive into the book Ditch it Switch It and it will show you how.

An expert? Still write the goals for your next chapter since we’re always growing.

Cheers!

3 Intriguing Post Covid Etiquette …

I’m a hugger! I give hugs. A Hug has always been my mantra to business associates and colleagues. But with the Covid pandemic, not so anymore. A fist or elbow pump or shoe touch had to do. But it’s been hard for huggers and those touchy-feelers. So it’s with great news that the CDC cleared us! Yea. But now we must learn how to properly greet those we meet. Here are 3+ from what those in the news say.

Ask. Just Ask.

  1. Ask just ask. Ask do you mind shaking my hand?
  2. Do an air-handshake. What’s that? It means extending your hand and telling the other person you’re greeting them from a distance (smirk)
  3. Wear a mask. If you feel the need for extra protection, forget about the mass, do what makes you feel safe.
  4. In a place where everyone else is wearing a mask? Do it. The response… when in Rome, do as the Romans do

Yesssss we are still learning the new norm. Hope this etiquette tip that I gleaned, helps. Want to learn soft skills? Check Maxine for more. Any missing from the list above? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Travel! You Only Live Once…But Be Careful How

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You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough

~Unknown

Travel. See the world. Party. Think about you and making you happy. That’s what they say. But think about that. Do those things bring meaning? Let’s examine this philosophy closely.

Travel. Oh to see new places and bask in the ambiance. A change of pace incites creativity and value for the things that exist. But in your haste to travel, make sure you spend time basking in the culture of another’s land. Understand the host culture. There are always do’s and don’ts. Foreign Language may be a problem. If you’re not prepared, you won’t be able to communicate. For example, once during my business travel, I ordered bacon through room service and got something totally different. Another time during an international conference a colleague wanted to order hot dog during lunch. She indicated to the server “caliente woof, woof”. Bet you didn’t know that means hot dog (well at least by her definition). As hilarious as that was, she received her correct order.

Be Happy

Be Happy. Think Only About You. Well-intentioned but life is more than you. We must collaborate in order to co-habitate. Everything we do affect those close to us–be it family, friend or foe. So think before you act.

Remember, life is about living. But live in such a way that those who interact in your space are positively affected. Definitely something to think about, and remember… only what you do for Christ will last.

Cheers!

The Sea. The Beach. The Waves. Quiet Reflections…

The sea. The beach. The waves. It’s my safe place. I never want to leave. I sit coiled at the edge of the lazy beach chair, gazing in melancholy at the morning’s sunrise. All is still as time stops. As the sun began its heated quest, I sat pensively not wanting to leave.


Still fast asleep there’s no one in sight. Just me, as the waves batter the shore. My heart tugs as I long to rid life’s woeful work-related stress. I just want to stay to listen to nature’s quest. In quietness is where the heaven’s awake and gives me the strength to reach forward to start a new day, a new chapter, a time of serenity. I pray that I’ll listen as the spirit quietly leads, guides and directs my path.

In stillness is where I find my strength. Strengthen me lord, strengthen me. Speak and make me listen.

Blessing overflow.

What Could Go Wrong…

If you’re just thinking of the bad stuff, you’ll never see the good stuff.

Little Xavier was playing rough with his older brother. After many screams and shouts about being hurt to his brother, his mom rushed in. Then he sheepishly said that he was just playing. His mom scolded him stressing about the things that could go wrong…broken limbs, dislocated bones, bruises and more.

The What Could Go Wrong Mentality

Boys will be boys they say. But there is a place for caution. A place for the “what could go wrong” thinking. Personally, I coach about getting out of your comfort zones. Most of us just want to stay there. But in order to progress we have to move ahead, to take chances, to try new things. To get rid of the what could go wrong mentality and focus on doing something different…even if you’re afraid.

Here’s hoping you will try something new today. Hey, once you have done it, do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Self-Care: 9 Ways To Sharpen The Mental Blade…

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.”

Stephen Covey

The concept to sharpen the saw highlights the point that when you have been going, going, and going …and you can’t seem to see any results. Acknowledge that it’s time to stop. It’s time to refresh. It’s time for a break to get the rest you need to start thinking so you can be productive again.

Here are a few suggestions that Brett and Kate McKay shared in their article on how you can fuel your brain’s recovery and sharpen the mental blade:

  1. Read the Great Books
  2. Write a position paper on a topic of your choosing
  3. Listen to a stimulating podcast
  4. Listen to a Great Courses course
  5. Take an online course
  6. Attend a lecture at a local college
  7. Join a discussion group (synergizing mental and social domains!)
  8. Visit a museum
  9. Watch a documentary

Did any of the above inspire you? Are there one or few that’s missing that works for you? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Trapped In Your Own Perception Of Where You Belong…

Some prisons don’t require bars to keep people locked inside. All it takes is their perception that they belong there.

~Lysa TerKeurst

Bust The Fear. Move Forward…

Delighted to speak with Northern CAribbean University 2021 graduates on April 20th. How can graduating students Ditch the Fear that is holding them back so they can move forward?

Looking forward to diving into some insights.

Cheers!

42 Ways To Improve Yourself…

Binge-Watching For Personal Growth. 9 Must-See…

People are hungry for something Different

Miles Millar

Binge Watching is the practice of watching multiple episodes of a television program in rapid succession, typically by means of DVDs or digital streaming.

Dictionary.com

Patty’s text excitedly read “hey, I’m here binge watching your YouTube videos”. Hmmm an untapped medium, I thought about it and decided to share a few of the top videos. Below are 9 listed and shown below for your convenience. Go grab a snack and tune in. Build your personal growth as a writer, leader, new entrepreneur and more.

Happy watching!

  1. A Conversation With Reggae Music Matriarch Pat Chin On Overcoming Barriers As A Woman In Business
  2. 15 Leadership Traits
  3. Get Unstuck. A Literary Conversation with Lawyer Turned Author Meg Nocero
  4. Authors Of Color Books, Literary Hooks And Nooks
  5. LIVE Interview with Journalist Grace. How She took The Step From Career To Entrepreneur
  6. Simply The Best Or Naw: Signs A Business Needs to Change
  7. A Conversation With Entrepreneurial Investor David Mullings On How To Ditch Your Fear
  8. Success Defined by Millennials
  9. Success Defined

Enjoyed watching? Which one was your favorite? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Photo by Alexander Suhorucov on Pexels.com

Interested In Starting Your Writing Journey? 18 Tips For Beginners…

Write. Just Write

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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Read a lot. Write a lot.

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath

Tips gleaned from experienced authors to those interested in venturing out on their own writing journey.

  1. Write. Keep writing.
  2. Read a lot so you understand how others do what they do
  3. Learn the craft …that is part of writing
  4. Proofread. Rewrite so it makes sense
  5. Learn the craft. Books, classes, YouTube
  6. Be yourself. Tell the story
  7. Brainstorm writing ideas
  8. It takes a lot of sacrifice
  9. Find online sites that accept free submissions. Publish 800-1200 word articles on a subject that interests you. Write and submit articles to many sites. Once accepted try longer pieces
  10. Don’t let “no thanks” deter you.
  11. Read, read, master the language you want to write in. Read…

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